The Glendora City Council voted 4-1 on July 24 to hold a town hall meeting about the city’s stance on California’s sanctuary law.
Glendora City Council voted in closed session to join a friend of the court brief challenging the legality of the state Senate Bill 54, which prohibits state and local police from turning undocumented immigrants for federal law enforcement.
The council voted after consecutive meetings in council chambers were packed by protesters.
Azusa Pacific University philosophy professor Teri Merrick formed and heads the Glendora group, “Welcome to Glendora,” whose purpose she said is to make the city inclusive.”
Merrick said she spoke with council member Gary Boyer after learning about the council’s decision. She said she told Boyer he should not have signed the amicus brief in closed session and “that it sent the wrong message.”
At the meeting Gary Boyer repeatedly rejected the assertion that the Glendora City Council opposed SB 54.
“Where this garbage came out that we voted to oppose SB 54, I have no idea,” Boyer said.
Boyer said articles in the San Gabriel Valley Tribune misrepresented the council’s position.
Before voting to oppose SB 54 on May 8, the council sent a letter in April to the governor explicitly opposing the law.
In the letter, the council “urges our state elected officials and the Governor to Oppose SB 54 as it will surely create less safe communities.”
Only council member Karen Davis opposed joining the amicus brief. Boyer said to the Clarion he opposed SB 54.
“I see it as a law enforcement issue,” Boyer said.
He said federal law enforcement agents are more likely to arrest innocent immigrants if they cannot cooperate with local agencies.
“They’ll have that local knowledge of who’s who,” he said.
While Boyer said he does not regret his vote, some on the council appear to be reconsidering their position.
“It hurts me that people think we hate people, but Glendora is a welcoming city,” Glendora Mayor Mendell Thomson said.
The council is facing growing opposition in the historically conservative community. A majority of Glendora residents voted for Donald Trump in the 2016 presidential election.
But Merrick said she is having no trouble recruiting support, gaining over 100 signatures in four days.
“We’ve got a month and a half to train and educate Glendora citizens on this issue,” Merrick said.
Student trustee Yachi Rivas said she was afraid to speak at the meeting.
“Many people have way more to lose than I do,” Rivas said. “It’s very scary what’s going on.”
ASCC President Fernando Flores has also spoken to the council against its decision.
“It affects our DACA students, whether or not coming to school will be there last time,” Flores said.
“That’s a burden. They shouldn’t have to deal with it.”
A meeting place and date for the Glendora town hall has still not been set, but will happen before Sept. 30.
