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Residents and advocates clash during public comment over Mesa nondiscrimination ordinance
Summary
Public commenters at the April 7 Mesa City Council meeting offered competing views on the city's nondiscrimination ordinance, with some residents calling for repeal and others, including Equality Arizona, urging council to keep protections in place.
Dozens of Mesa residents used the council's public-comment period on April 7 to voice sharply divided views about the city's nondiscrimination ordinance and outside groups targeting a council member.
Multiple speakers urged the council to repeal or revise the ordinance, saying it creates liability or threatens privacy. "Before we have a high-profile incident in the city of Mesa, I feel it is in the best interest of Mesa to repeal this ordinance," resident Antoinette said during public comment. Antoinette asked the council to reinstate a narrower fair-housing focus or to add gender‑separated protections in private spaces.
Other speakers defended the…
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