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Resident tells council she no longer trusts the body to protect marginalized people, alleges police intimidation
Summary
Jessica Goya told the council she and other marginalized residents feel unsafe, accused specific council members and cited an alleged 2020 police intimidation incident; she urged the city to communicate plans and protections concerning immigration‑related enforcement.
During public comment, Jessica Goya (2112 Fayette Street) said she had repeatedly asked the council to prepare and to communicate with vulnerable community members about potential immigration enforcement activity.
"Preparation looks like communicating with the community," Goya said, adding later: "I need to be very clear about why I no longer trust this body to protect marginalized people in this community." She said she had been the target of what she described as a "mildly racist vendetta" by a council member and described a 2020 incident in which she said a police officer followed and intimidated her; she said that pattern had made her afraid to speak about police oversight.
Goya also alleged selective invitation of public comments, said a letter opposing an appointment had been emailed by a committee chair rather than the purported sender, and urged the council to identify and plan for the community members most vulnerable to enforcement actions. The council acknowledged the comment and several members said staff and officials were discussing preparations and messaging, but offered no immediate, detailed public response that night.
The council and staff said they are working behind the scenes on communications and interagency planning and called for careful public messaging; no formal staff directive or policy change was advanced during the meeting.
