Residents press Encinitas council to act after social‑media post targeting West African arts
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Summary
Multiple residents used oral communications to demand the council remove a city appointee from a volunteer committee after a social‑media post they said demeaned West African drumming and dance; speakers described incidents at a local high school and urged the council to demonstrate leadership and transparency.
A string of public commenters at the start of the March 25 Encinitas City Council meeting urged elected officials to act after a social‑media post by a city appointee that several speakers said demeaned West African arts and signaled intolerance toward Black residents.
Monette Marino, who identified herself as an Encinitas percussion teacher and told the council she was nominated for regional music awards, recounted that her daughter was called a racial slur at SDA High School earlier this year and said she felt the city appointee’s online comments compounded the harm. “Racism is not a difference of opinion. It is a disqualifier for public service,” Marino said.
Yousef Miller, representing the North County Equity and Justice Coalition and the North County NAACP, said the city should not shelter people who use “bigoted dog whistles” online. “If you don't appreciate black history or black culture, shut the hell up,” he said, arguing the appointee should not remain in a city advisory role.
Several other speakers — including long‑time residents and civil‑rights advocates — urged the council to place the matter on a future agenda and explain what follow‑up the city has taken or will take. Speakers asked whether the council could remove the appointee from the Urban Forest Advisory Committee, and some framed the request in procedural terms: ask staff to bring the item back as a regular agenda item for public discussion rather than letting it dissipate.
Council did not vote to remove any appointee during the meeting. Mayor Ehlers and other council members acknowledged the public concern and in subsequent public‑comment responses said they had heard the speakers; no formal personnel action was taken at this meeting. The record includes multiple spellings of the appointee’s name in public remarks; the transcript reflects that inconsistency in speakers' references.
Speakers urged transparency from the council and staff about any follow‑up steps. Several asked the council to demonstrate leadership through a public response and to explain whether any investigation or disciplinary process is planned. Council members did not announce any immediate personnel steps at the meeting but were asked to consider the public requests and to respond in future meetings.
