Monrovia public commentators press council for permanent memorial and CHP report after Home Depot death

Dozens of Monrovia residents pressed the City Council on Sept. 16 for a permanent memorial to Roberto Carlos Montoya Valdez and for more transparency about the circumstances of his death after an August incident in the Monrovia Home Depot parking lot.

Speakers at the public-comment portion — including representatives of the Immigration Resource Center of the San Gabriel Valley and multiple neighborhood volunteers — said the family and community have received limited information and asked the city to push for an independent, state-level review. "We would like an update and more transparency on the CHP report," said Anna, who identified herself as representing the Immigration Resource Center of the San Gabriel Valley. "We would like more clarity on what the Monrovia Police Department can and cannot do regarding these raids."

Why it matters: Commenters said the incident involved federal immigration enforcement and left community members traumatized. They asked the city to help ensure the family has answers and a place to grieve publicly. Several…