Sacramento City Council Member Katie Valenzuela was forced to assure her colleagues’ safety this week after revelations that one of her staffers has condoned the harassment of public officials.
Valenzuela recently announced the hiring of Skyler Henry as head of communications and constituent services. Henry is co-host of a progressive podcast called "VOICES: River City.”
In one episode of the podcast, Henry said Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (D-Arizona) “should be terrified” for the rest of her life and unable to ever leave her house because of her opposition to a national $15 minimum wage. “The same applies with the mayor and city manager of this city,” Henry added, referring to Sacramento.
In another exchange, Henry appeared to condone acts of vandalism at the home of Mayor Darrell Steinberg.
“I’m certainly not going to come on the show and advocate for it, but it’s just like, how does this not happen more often? Somebody shows up on your driveway and pours fu*king red paint down it? I’m sorry, you’re lucky that’s where they f*cking stopped.”
Valenzuela has said she disagrees with the comments. But they weren’t enough to affect Henry’s job status.
“Skyler never threatened anyone directly & did not participate in the recent protests at the homes of Mayor Steinberg & City Manager Chan,” Valenzuela said. “He has committed no acts that should cause anyone fear, and has assured me & others that he does not wish any harm on anyone at City Hall.”
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As protesters on left and right target public servants at home, one city pushes back