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Residents and faith groups urge repeal of Modesto mask ordinance; CPRB ad hoc committee to review
Summary
Multiple speakers at the Community Police Review Board meeting urged the board to recommend repeal of Modesto Municipal Ordinance 4-23.02, citing First Amendment and civil‑rights concerns. The boardad hoc committee reviewing the ordinance reported plans for community outreach, a bilingual survey and a draft recommendation to the city.
Several residents and community organizations urged the Community Police Review Board on Aug. 20 to recommend that Modesto City Council repeal Ordinance 4-23.02, the city—s mask restriction at protests, saying the provision chills speech and risks discriminatory enforcement.
The calls for repeal came during the board—s public comment period. Mary Rogers, a Modesto resident, told the board: "I urge the police oversight board to request that the city council remove the mask wearing restrictions from Ordinance 4-23.02." Celia Garcia Perez, reading a letter from the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Stanislaus County Social Justice Team, said the group "stand[s] in solidarity" with Central Valley BIPOC and the ACLU in calling for a full repeal.
Why it matters: speakers said the ordinance has been used selectively and could expose the city to legal challenges while deterring people from protesting. Multiple commenters tied the June 14 arrests at an anti-deportation protest to enforcement of the ordinance and to disparate treatment of Black, Brown and immigrant community members.
What the board is doing: Board member Patricia (committee chair) presented an update from the ad hoc committee formed to review Modesto Municipal Code 4-23.02. The committee said it has: - Reviewed letters from the ACLU and the First Amendment Coalition. - Planned a bilingual community engagement survey (English/Spanish). - Reached out to other jurisdictions with similar ordinances to learn how they interpret and enforce those rules. - Drafted near-term deliverables: (1) a special recommendation to the city manager with repeal or amendment options, (2) a concise memo summarizing stakeholder input, and (3) a proposed timeline for city manager review and public discussion.
Community voices: Speakers included Alex (CIRES), a representative of Central Valley BIPOC, Laricana (a Modesto resident), Julissa, Edward Diaz (CD BIPOC organizing committee) and Margie (president of Invested Progressive in Oakdale). Several asked the board to use its advisory role to push the city council toward a full repeal rather than an amendment.
Board response and process notes: Board members acknowledged the public comments and the committee—s ongoing work. The committee said it will continue stakeholder engagement in the coming weeks and anticipates drafting recommendations to bring back to the CPRB and the city manager.
What the record shows: public comments repeatedly requested repeal of the anti-mask subsection of Ordinance 4-23.02 and asked the CPRB to transmit a clear recommendation to the council. The committee reported that, to date, it has collected community input and will produce a draft recommendation and timeline for consideration.
Looking ahead: the ad hoc committee will finalize outreach results and return to the CPRB with a draft recommendation that the board can vote to forward to the city manager and city council.
