Residents clash in public comment over Mesa nondiscrimination ordinance and DEI materials

A series of residents used the citizens-present portion of the March 17 Mesa City Council meeting to press opposing views on the city’s nondiscrimination ordinance and references to “DEI” material on the city website.

Alex Ronachich, who identified himself as a District 5 resident, thanked the council for removing a DEI landing page and urged broader removal of DEI references. He framed the nondiscrimination ordinance as a moral and safety concern and said he and others see the ordinance as permitting access to bathrooms and locker rooms by transgender people; he urged the council to “abolish” the ordinance. In his remarks he said the issue is about protecting daughters and families and described the ordinance as “immoral nonsense.”

Antoinette Andruzzi, who identified herself as a Mesa resident and single mother, addressed the council from the opposite perspective. She said she and her children felt unsafe after passage of the nondiscrimination ordinance and urged the council to repeal it; she described the ordinance language as “vague” and said it “kicks the door open” for abuse. Antoinette said she pulled her children from school because of the ordinance and appealed to the council on grounds of moral responsibility and child safety.

Several other speakers offered counterpoints in favor of the council’s nondiscrimination posture. Monica Phillips, identifying herself as a resident of Eastmark, said she moved her family to Mesa and praised the council and the city for “promoting respect for all of your citizens” and for making programs accessible to people with disabilities. She thanked Councilwoman Spilsbury by name for advocating equal rights and said her family’s children feel safe and respected in Mesa because of council actions.

Paul Burton, a resident who said he lives in Mesquite Canyon, also offered public comment in support of diversity, equality and inclusion and urged tolerance for differing views. Burton said he was proud Mesa had worked on autism certification and spoke broadly in favor of inclusive community values.

The mayor and council did not respond substantively during the citizens-present period because the items were not on the formal agenda; the council recorded the comments and indicated staff would note them for follow-up.