Public criticism and calls for review after Sunnyvale staff remove Palestinian map at Hands on the Arts festival

Dozens of speakers and several community groups addressed the City Council May 6 over the removal of a poster from the Palestine Palette booth at Sunnyvale’s Hands on the Arts festival on May 3, and many called on the city to investigate the incident and improve event procedures.

Why it matters: multiple residents and community organizations said volunteers were harassed and that the city’s decision to require the poster’s removal amounted to censorship and discrimination; others told council the city acted appropriately to keep a children’s event age‑appropriate. The issue drew dozens of public speakers and sharply divergent viewpoints at the council meeting.

City manager Kirby told council staff were “carefully reviewing the occurrence” after staff became aware that an artist had displayed materials not approved in advance for a children’s craft project and said the materials could have been displayed in the festival’s free‑speech area. Kirby said staff had heard multiple perspectives and that the city would seek to learn from the incident.

Many speakers described the artist‑run Palestine Palette booth as a cultural and educational presence; volunteers said the event staff initially assisted setup and did not flag materials but later demanded the removal of a poster that included a historic map of Palestine. Volunteers said they left rather than be censored; several speakers said staff actions toward volunteers and the artists were aggressive and intimidating. Speakers asked council to apologize, investigate whether staff followed policy, and to require anti‑Palestinian‑racism training and clearer rules for event content.

Other residents and community members supported the city’s decision. Several speakers, including members of the Jewish community, said imagery or language that could be read as supporting violence or political slogans has no place at children’s events and commended staff for protecting the festival’s family‑oriented mission.

Public agencies and civil rights groups also weighed in. A representative from CARE (civil‑rights advocacy) and multiple long‑time Sunnyvale residents urged council to avoid erasing Palestinian cultural identity and recommended anti‑Palestinian‑racism training for staff. Sunnyvale Community Services and other local nonprofits requested continued attention to safety and inclusive event practices.

Councilmembers noted the strong public interest and thanked residents for civil testimony. No formal disciplinary action or policy change was adopted at the May 6 meeting; council member Mellinger said she would reserve judgment while staff finished reviewing the facts and added that the offensive comments heard at the meeting “should have no place in our city.” Several members asked staff to return with findings and recommended remedies if vendor processes or staff conduct were found to be inconsistent with city policy.

Clarifying details recorded at the meeting: staff said event approvals require participating artists to submit proposed materials in advance and noted the festival has a designated free‑speech area. Ten speakers mentioned specific safety or harassment complaints at the event; staff confirmed the city received reports and was gathering facts. Community requests included clarification of festival rules, improved training for festival staff and volunteers, an independent review of the incident and, where requested by speakers, an apology to the artists.

What’s next: staff will continue the review begun after the May 3 festival and report back to the council; no formal council resolution or directive was adopted May 6 beyond staff’s commitment to investigate and learn from the incident.

Ending: The controversy underscored a split among residents about how to treat politically sensitive material in family‑oriented public events; council asked staff to return with findings and possible policy or training responses.