Imperial Beach proclaims February 2026 Black History Month; community speakers urge ongoing engagement

Mayor Pro Tem Jack Fisher read a proclamation formally recognizing February 2026 as Black History Month in Imperial Beach and the council approved it unanimously.

Fisher read the proclamation that began, "Now therefore, let it be proclaimed that I, Jack Fisher, along with mayor Mitch McKay and the rest of the Imperial Beach City Council, hereby proclaim February 2026 as Black History Month in the city of Imperial Beach." The council moved and Fisher’s motion was seconded by Councilmember Seaberry; the clerk recorded the motion as carried unanimously.

During public comment tied to the proclamation and related observances, Victor, a staff member at Southwestern College, thanked the council for the proclamation and asked the city to continue partnerships that support Black students and staff. Brother Shabazz, speaking on behalf of Southwestern College’s Black Student Union, urged city leaders to prioritize service to community over personal prestige and cited Carter G. Woodson’s example.

Separately, public commenter Lynn Fisher used the public‑comment period to urge the council to publicly oppose what she called "fascism," called for local leaders to press higher‑level officials to act and named individuals she alleged had died at the hands of a federal force. Those claims were made as public comment and were not substantiated or adjudicated at the meeting.

The council invited participants to a photo and accepted the proclamation; no policy action followed from the proclamation vote.