Protesters say private security harassed demonstrators outside arena; speakers press council for accountability
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Summary
Multiple public speakers told the Bakersfield City Council they were harassed by private security at a Megyn Kelly event held at Dignity Health Arena and urged the city to protect First Amendment activity on city-owned property. Others raised concerns about policing, alleged past misconduct, nepotism in downtown projects and sewer financing.
Several residents used the council’s public-comment period Dec. 17 to demand accountability after what they described as aggressive treatment by private security at a Megyn Kelly speaking event at Dignity Health Arena and Centennial Plaza.
Heather Silvis, who identified herself as a local educator and protector of children, told the council she and others were peaceful protesters and that ‘‘security guards employed by AEG on city-owned property harassed us, threatened us, and tried to push us out,’’ she said. Silvis said protesters were ejected without refund after being told to be quiet and that one protester alleged past sexual abuse by former council member Terry Maxwell; Silvis repeatedly framed the allegation as ‘‘her words, her allegations, and her truth.’’
John Hart, a retired Bakersfield Californian photographer and instructor, said he and seven protesters who attended the same demonstration were ‘‘harassed, intimidated and threatened by two security officers’’ whom he described as private security rather than Bakersfield Police Department officers. Hart said he provided photos and a video link to document the protesters’ proximity to arena doors and the treatment they received.
Both speakers asked the council to investigate and to ensure that city-owned public spaces remain open to lawful protest. The record of the meeting does not include a staff report or a formal response from the city at the time the comments were made.
Other public commenters raised additional concerns that the council and staff may consider. Teresa Perez recounted an alleged 1996 incident in which she said she was handcuffed and assaulted during a traffic stop and said prior attempts to obtain assistance were unsuccessful; Perez’s remarks were presented as her personal allegation and she was cut off when her allotted time expired. Johnny Alagaz alleged nepotism related to a downtown street project and said he would publish material he said documented overlaps between some council members’ families and nonprofits; he referenced a $7,500,000 figure for the street work. Michael Turnipseed, representing the County Taxpayers Association, urged the council to prioritize financial stability and described a proposed $1,000,000,000 sewer operation plan with several financing elements he summarized.
The speakers’ statements were presented to the council during the non-agenda public-comment period. Council members did not make lengthy responses during the public-comment block, and no formal investigation or staff direction appears on the meeting record for these allegations at the time the meeting adjourned.
The council’s next regular meeting schedule and any future staff follow-up on these public comments were not announced on the record during the public-comment portion of the meeting.
