Aurora, Colo. — When public comments during the meetings are highly disruptive, officials are forced to conduct meetings online. The Aurora City Council intends to take a vote on a modified procedure designed to prevent such from happening in the future.
The measure is being introduced by Councilmembers Francoise Bergan and Danielle Jurinsky, and it aims to balance speech and moderation.
What Makes Them Alter The Previous Changes?
At the virtual council meeting held on January 27, disorderly conduct was very noticeable from the set of citizens called protesters. A significant number of them have spoken about an Aurora police officer involved in the shooting of Kilyn Lewis, one of the arrested. The rest secured warrants for attempted murder.
It was also discovered that the shooting policy that Officer Michael Dieck fired under was in order; hence, the protestors still protest to this day.
Anderson Auon’tai, ex-member of the Denver Public Schools Board, had attempted to pay tribute with a few seconds of silence for Lewis during the session but was interrupted.
He was interrupted at the height of his sentence: “You can join me in a moment of silence for Kilyn Lewis…” before his microphone got cut.
Many other willing speakers faced the same consequences. A single protester even insulted Mayor Mike Coffman, calling him a “coward,” and simultaneously another one spoke about the “systemic failures” until being cut off.
To prevent further greater disturbances, council members decided to pause public comments for the time being.
What modifications are desired to be made?
A recently adopted procedure holds public comment in a separate session held forty minutes before the start of Council meetings.
The main changes include:
- Reduction in the amount of time available to speak – It is proposed that speakers be allowed two minutes instead of three.
- Aurora residents first—Residents will be given priority over other speakers.
“We want to hear from our residents and our citizens who have real concerns,” Jurinski said. “This will place priority on Aurora residents.”
Bergan commented that the way things were, almost all the meetings held after July had been severely disrupted by protests, and it had become really difficult to address city matters.
Alternative Points of View Concerning the Plan
Some council members have strongly different opinions on these changes.
Councilmember Stephanie Hancock, for example, is concerned that the proposed recommendations may not restrict the problem as intended.
“I don’t know that the person who should be honored is being honored as a result of this behavior,” Hancock said. “And it doesn’t serve us.”
Angela Lawson concurs that the processes are undermined but believes the solution lies in changes to the way business is conducted.
“At the end of the day, we have to curb our thinking and find a solution,” he said. “This is an issue that needs to be resolved quickly.”
What Happens Next?
The City Council has on its agenda the deliberation of whether to pass the plan during the meeting on Monday. If it is passed, the new procedures will be put into effect at once.
City leaders are optimistic that the change will facilitate the smooth running of the meeting while still allowing citizens to air their concerns. Still, overzealous feelings about police conduct and other matters can provoke intense responses from the people.
