Santa Ana’s city council meeting devolved into pandemonium Tuesday in the aftermath of a major wardrobe faux pas.
It all started when an activist showed up to the council meeting donning a cap that read “F*** the Police.” The man, who describes himself only as “Bijan” is a member of the police monitoring group, CopWatch, and was there to protest alleged abuse by officers. Unamused, Mayor Miguel Pulido, City Manager David Cavazos and Police Chief Carlos Rojas soon asked the man to remove it, but the activist refused. That prompted the cancellation of the meeting and a call to officers.
“I came here to talk about the police abuse that I’ve experienced with the Santa Ana Police Department,” Bijan said. “I don’t feel like I have to take this off in this City Council meeting. It’s a meeting for the public and I’m allowed to be here with my hat.”
Mayor Pulido wasn’t having any of it. He called the hat a disrespect both officers and the chambers and ordered everyone in the room to leave. All but some 10 attendees eventually heeded the call.
“You’re silencing people for a hat,” said one of the residents who chose to stay. Another ended up in a heated exchange with Council Member Michelle Martinez. Mayor Pulido himself was subjected to a slew of expletives.
Officers, who showed up with zip-tie handcuffs, warned the demonstrators that they were risking arrest by staying. The activists, however, saw their presence as a vindication, with some accusing the council of violating Bijan’s free speech rights.
“It sounds like to me you had folks exercising First Amendment, but you had some very passionate council members who are very supportive of the efforts of their Santa Ana police,” said State Sen. Lou Correa (D-Santa Ana), who was also in attendance.
This isn't the first time that offensive clothing has caused a ruckus during a public meeting. Earlier this year, the City of Los Angeles settled a lawsuit with a man who was kicked out a parks and recreation meeting for wearing a KKK outfit. In that case, city officials decided it would be too expensive to fight the complaint.
Read more about Tuesday’s incident here.