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Council debate turns personal as Burbank weighs censure of member over protest contacts
Summary
Council members debated whether to censure Councilmember Constantine Anthony for outreach and conduct tied to protests around a private event; the meeting included extensive public testimony from both sides and conflicting claims about whether his texts and calls improperly pressured a private host. A recorded vote (2 yes, 2 no, 1 abstain) was taken; council recorded divided positions.
Burbank — A charged and closely watched censure item dominated public comment and council debate June 2 after public testimony alleged that Councilmember Constantine Anthony contacted a private event host and the police in the run‑up to a contentious demonstration outside a private forum.
Several members of the public and representatives of the Burbank Association of Realtors told the council they felt pressured by outreach after the association hosted a candidate event for a controversial national group. Multiple residents and the association said staff in a local office received harassing calls and threats after the protest. Karen Frost, the local chapter chair of Moms for Liberty and a retired LAPD detective, said the protests created an “atmosphere of intimidation” that interfered with the event and endangered attendees.
Councilmember Anthony and supporters said he called only to express safety concerns and to connect the host with police so the host could take protective steps. Anthony told council he regretted any miscommunication and blamed the tone and limits of phone/text exchanges for the fallout; he said his intent was public safety, not to pressure or coerce a private business or to suppress speech. Chief Raphael Canary said he received a call from council and followed up with the host and that a threat assessment was conducted; he said he did not direct the host to cancel.
Council discussion covered whether Anthony’s outreach violated the city’s recently revised Code of Conduct for council members, including clauses about use of public resources, the policy role of members, and special requests to staff. Council took a roll‑call vote: Anthony abstained, Councilmember Perez voted no, Councilmember Rosati and Vice Mayor Mullins voted yes, and Mayor Tamila Takahashi voted no. The vote count was split and the item prompted strong exchanges among council members and a large set of public speakers on both sides.
What happens next: Councilmembers expressed differing views on whether a formal reprimand would be effective or merely symbolic. Several council members asked staff to catalog correspondence and provide clearer guidance for members on how to handle community safety concerns without appearing to exert undue pressure on private entities. The office of the city attorney and the clerk will retain submitted correspondence; any further formal discipline or removal requires separate legal or electoral processes.
Note: The transcript records the roll‑call vote (Anthony: abstain; Perez: no; Rosati: yes; Mullins: yes; Mayor Takahashi: no).
