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Public comment period centers on calls for removal of Mayor Burns, concerns about online posts and community division
Summary
More than a dozen speakers during the council—s public comment period urged action in response to social media posts by Mayor Robert Burns after the shooting death of activist Charlie Kirk; speakers also raised other issues including drag performances, food insecurity, and community civility.
The public comment period at the Sept. 23 Monroe City Council meeting was dominated by calls for accountability for Mayor Robert Burns over social-media posts and an in-person vigil after the shooting death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
Speakers representing the Union County NAACP and other groups urged council to remove the mayor. "The Union County NAACP stands firmly against political violence, harassment, and the misuse of public office," Archie Hensley, president of the Union County NAACP, told council. Hensley said the mayor used his official platform to publicize private information and "incite harassment," and asked council to consider removal procedures used previously by the body.
Multiple speakers accused the mayor of amplifying private citizens— posts and tagging accounts that invited harassment. "Instead of calming tensions, the mayor poured gasoline on them," Ron Sandoval said, citing social-media posts and news coverage that, he said, had brought negative attention to Monroe. Several speakers said staff and families received threats and that the city—s handling of the matter created safety concerns.
Speakers urged de-escalation and civility. Local clergy and residents asked for healing and an end to what they described as divisive rhetoric. "Find peace, y'all. Find peace," one faith leader said.
Other public commenters used their time to address separate civic matters: a downtown volunteer program sought space for a community food distribution project called the Blessing Cart; speakers criticized council votes on whether drag performances could be held where children attend; and several residents described threats and harassment directed at private citizens after the online exchanges.
Council did not take immediate action on the requests during the meeting. The mayor and councilmembers reminded speakers of public-comment rules, and the city attorney read the rules aloud at the start of the comment period. The transcript contains repeated calls for council to revisit prior procedures used to remove an elected official and requests that staff provide records related to the vigil and any city spending for that event. Council did not vote or take formal disciplinary action in open session on Sept. 23.
