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Tuolumne supervisors adopt substitute resolution affirming equal protection after heated public hearing
Summary
After more than two hours of public comment and several substitute motions, the Tuolumne County Board of Supervisors approved a resolution affirming equal protection and condemning hate‑motivated violence, adopting substitute language proposed by Supervisor Kirk; vote was 3–0 with two abstentions.
Supervisor Ryan Campbell introduced a draft resolution condemning hate crimes and urging law‑enforcement action after community members raised concerns about several recent violent incidents. The board opened an extended public comment period during which dozens of residents and officials—ranging from victims and LGBTQ+ advocates to local clergy and opponents—addressed the board on whether and how to single out protected groups in the text.
Supervisor Campbell said the resolution’s core aim was to “support law enforcement in vigorously pursuing these crimes.” Supporters told the board that a public statement would reassure vulnerable residents and students that the county rejects violence. “This resolution does not create any new laws,” community member Tim McCaffrey said. “It does not infringe on free speech. What it does is put our county on the record as a place that rejects fear and division.”
Opponents warned that singling out groups could be politicizing an ongoing investigation and urged instead a broader, universally worded statement. Supervisor Kirk proposed alternative language rooted in the Fourteenth Amendment’s equal‑protection clause and introduced substitute text aimed at covering all residents equally while endorsing constitutional protections.
The board debated a series of substitute and amendment motions. After votes on competing drafts, the board adopted the Kirk substitute resolution (as amended) by a 3–0 vote with Supervisors Holland, Griefer and Kirk voting aye; the record shows two abstentions from Supervisor Campbell and Chair Brandon. The board directed staff to publish the adopted language and to continue supporting law enforcement investigations where appropriate.
The item drew sustained public attention and at least one speaker requested edits to the resolution’s language to remove references to federal law and to broaden the county’s data‑collection language; the board discussed but did not adopt that precise edit. The resolution is on file with the clerk’s office.
