Agenda Item # 3.2 - Ron Kirkish | Received 10/02/2023CAUTION: This email originated from an External Source. Please use proper judgment and caution when opening attachments, clicking links, or responding to this
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From:
To:Public Comments
Subject:EXTERNAL - Re: Hybrid meetings
Date:Monday, October 2, 2023 3:57:03 PM
To: Gilroy City Clerk
From: Ronald L. Kirkish
Re: Hybrid [zoom] meetings.
It is my personal opinion that the City of Gilroy should prohibit Hybrid/Zoom meetings. I'm providing the following information as reasons for my concerns.
B/r,
Ronald L. Kirkish
Sonoma Co. supervisors temporarily limit public comment at meetings due to 'Zoom bombing'
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El Cerrito: Last week, we reported on how hate-speech is spreading and hijacking Bay Area government
meetings. At a recent El Cerrito City Council meeting, several people made antisemitic and racist comments.
The meeting was abruptly stopped.
https://www.ktvu.com/news/sonoma-co-supervisors-temporarily-limit-public-comment-at-meetings-due-to-zoom-
bombing?
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City Of Healdsburg, County Of Sonoma Hope To Curtail Zoom-Bombing
The city and county both announced that public comments cannot be made on Zoom but can be made in person at
meetings or beforehand by email.
https://patch.com/california/healdsburg/city-healdsburg-county-sonoma-hope-curtail-zoom-bombing?
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Hateful speech via Zoom jars Atherton council as online trolling seeks to disrupt public meetings
https://www.almanacnews.com/news/2023/09/22/hateful-speech-via-zoom-jars-atherton-council-as-online-trolling-
seeks-to-disrupt-public-meetings
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Yet, another California city refuses to allow Hybrid [Zoom] City Council Meetings.
"ANTIOCH NIXES PROPOSAL TO BRING ZOOM PARTICIPATION BACK"
When Zoom was available, the Antioch City Council meetings have been utilized for folks to make anonymous comments through teleconference and attack the
council.
https://contracosta.news/2023/09/27/antioch-nixes-proposal-to-bring-zoom-participation-back/
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On Sept. 20, the City of Sacramento issued a statement that council meetings are now done in person and have phased out virtual
meetings and will hold in-person meetings for all its boards, commissions and committees.
Over the past year, the City of Walnut Creek, San Jose, Richmond were the target of several people calling in spewing “hate”.