Speakers urge 'ICE‑free zones' and council enforces germane comment rules

Multiple members of the public used the council’s comment period to urge the City Council to adopt local policies that prohibit Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Department of Homeland Security from using city property. A series of speakers including Britney Carrie and Adam Petasglow gave addresses asking the council to declare city‑owned property “ICE‑free zones” and to codify non‑collaboration.

Britney Carrie, speaking for the record with an address provided, said: “Make all city owned property ice free zones and prohibit ICE and DHS from using city property to stage their operations. No collaboration with ICE.” The presiding officer and the clerk repeatedly ruled those comments not germane to items on the printed agenda; the chair reminded the public that comment cards must correspond to agenda items and warned that the microphone would be cut for comments that were not germane.

Later in the public comment period, the council moved to suspend public comment on a specific item; a motion to suspend was seconded and approved by voice vote (recorded as seven ayes, no nays). Members of the Southeast Dignity Not Detention Coalition also requested a meeting with council staff to address demolitions and public safety concerns.

The council’s enforcement of the germane‑to‑agenda rule means the public’s immigration‑policy appeals were not entertained as formal agenda action during this meeting; the transcript does not record a substantive council response adopting ICE‑related policy at this session.