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Pasadena council moves to contextualize portraits, consider rescinding civic honor tied to historical racist policies
Summary
The council debated whether to remove or contextualize the portrait of AI Stewart and to rescind an Arthur Noble civic award previously given to Herbert Han, following Human Relations Commission recommendations tied to the city’s history of racially restrictive covenants. Council directed staff to develop options for plaques, rescission, and public education.
Council members and dozens of public commenters spent a substantial portion of the June 22 meeting debating how the city should handle civic honors and portraits tied to historical racism. At issue were a portrait of AI Stewart (a former mayor and civic leader associated with the Pasadena Improvement Association) and an Arthur Noble civic award previously presented to Herbert Han. The questions were whether to remove portraits or honors, rescind awards, or keep the artifacts in place but provide prominent context and public education.
Background: Speakers and written materials presented at the meeting documented the work of the Pasadena Improvement Association in encouraging racially restrictive covenants in the 1930s and 1940s and the later harms of redlining and displacement. Members of the Human Relations Commission had previously studied the issue and recommended actions including adding contextual signage and rescinding honors.
Council reaction and staff direction: Members expressed a shared desire not to erase the cityʼs history but to ensure truthful and visible public context. Several councilmembers urged rescinding the Arthur Noble award to Herbert Han — an honor the city can withdraw — and adding a contextual plaque or explanatory material near AI Stewart's portrait. The council directed staff to gather records (including prior Human Relations Commission findings), prepare options for rescission or contextualization, and to return with a recommended public-education approach and potential governance steps for further review.
Next steps: Staff will pull together the Human Relations Commission materials and historical documentation, propose specific plaque language and locations, and present options for rescinding honors and adding public-facing education resources.
