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Residents use public comment to press council on divestment, free speech and immigration issues
Summary
Multiple speakers used the public-comment period to call on Chino Hills leaders to address free-speech concerns and to ask the city to direct its investment managers to divest from companies cited for alleged human-rights violations.
During the public-comment period at the April 8 council meeting, four speakers urged the council to take positions on free-speech, immigration and investment holdings.
Abraham Kooten told the council that constitutional protections, including free speech, are under attack and called on the city to defend students and immigrants. "These are not privileges... these are rights and they are not up for debate," he said, and argued that officials who prioritize foreign governments over U.S. interests should be held to account.
A commenter identified as Jasser asked the council to instruct its investment managers to divest from Caterpillar Inc., asserting the company’s equipment has been used in demolitions in Gaza and the West Bank. Jasser cited Alameda County’s December 2024 divestment as precedent and suggested ethical investment alternatives such as Calvert, Pax World and Domini.
Selena described nationwide concerns about criminalization of student protesters and said recent local demonstrations drew "hundreds of people" denouncing state violence, immigration enforcement and occupation; she urged the council to speak up about the issues.
Sarah criticized Mayor Bennett’s policies and said time limits on public comment had been shortened; she said recent local protests brought diverse community members together and accused city leaders of suppressing speech. Vice Mayor Jones said council members had heard comments about the time limit at previous meetings and that the council would reevaluate the length of public comment.
No formal council action on the topics raised during public comment was recorded at the meeting.
