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Santa Ana City Council meetings in recent weeks have become flash points for long-simmering tensions among residents and city leaders over issues ranging from police/community relations to homeless shelters to First Amendment rights.
The Council’s Oct. 6 meeting descended into chaos after Mayor Miguel Pulido shut down the proceedings after a young man refused to take off a hat that said “Fuck the Police,” which he was wearing to protest recent instances of alleged police brutality.
Two weeks later, residents and activists poured into the council chambers to chastise city leaders for stifling free speech.
More fireworks could come tonight, when the City Council meets for the first time in nearly a month.
Items up for discussion or decision include:
- Approving a medical marijuana dispensaries enforcement plan.
- Adopting a 45-day moratorium on homeless shelter zoning and requesting cooperation between city and county officials.
- Repealing the city’s bike license requirement.
- Further public comment on the balance between meeting decorum and free speech.
The meeting is scheduled to begin at 5:45 p.m. in the council chambers at 22 Civic Center Plaza.