Residents tell Chino council Proud Boys’ presence at a recent summit showed ‘rising extremism’; speakers ask council to act

Several Chino residents used the public‑comment period at the Oct. 21 City Council meeting to report incidents of harassment and intimidation they say occurred at a recent Pray Vote Stand summit hosted by Calvary Chapel and to press the council for action.

Multiple speakers described being verbally abused, threatened and physically provoked by self‑identified Proud Boys and others at demonstrations connected to the event. Speakers asked the council to publicly condemn hate, form a community committee on racism and hate, hold “know‑your‑rights” workshops, and take steps to ensure the safety of marginalized residents, including migrants, Muslims, LGBTQ people and others.

Nicole (no last name provided) told the council she and more than 20 residents raised concerns at a prior meeting and said she was “deeply disappointed” by how the council addressed those concerns. She said she personally “witnessed members of the Proud Boys, dangerous neo‑fascist group verbally and physically assault peaceful protesters,” and urged the council: “Acknowledge that Chino has a real problem with rising extremism and hate. Take action to protect your marginalized residents. Form a community committee on racism and hate. Hold know‑your‑rights workshops, and publicly condemn hate‑fueled gatherings.”

Another speaker, who identified herself as Intifada, said she was targeted at the protest and was told to “go back to Gaza” and that she had been threatened with violence. She said video evidence exists and accused officials of silence and complicity, saying, “Your refusal to act is unacceptable.”

A participant who called herself Melanie described encounters with Proud Boys who gave Nazi salutes and said police treated protesters and counter‑demonstrators differently at different times. Catherine Morales, who said she attended the Pray Vote Stand summit, criticized remarks she heard from one panelist and said she observed public‑officials onstage — specifically naming Chino Valley Unified School District board president Sonia Shaw — appearing to endorse anti‑public‑school rhetoric.

Council members and staff acknowledged the comments and noted the city received 42 email comments related to the Calvary Chapel event that have been added to the public record. The mayor limited public‑comment time to two minutes because of the number of speakers and the volume of business on the agenda. No formal city action was taken at the meeting to create a new task force or to adopt the specific community protections speakers requested; several commenters said they expected the council to take additional steps.

Speakers asked the city to publicly condemn hate speech and to take proactive steps to protect marginalized residents. Several urged training and community engagement measures that would not require immediate legislative changes but would require staff time, interdepartmental coordination and possible budgetary support. The council did not put any of those requests on the meeting agenda or vote on them that night.

Copies of written comments and video evidence referenced by speakers are on the meeting record and were submitted to the city clerk, according to the mayor’s public‑comment announcement.