Read on Twitter
Good morning, y'all!
It's 10:13am and @christopherroth is back again to try live-tweeting a different public meeting for a change!
The Board of Directors - Regular Board Meeting
We just had a very awkward and slow roll call, and here we go!
http://metro.granicus.com/mediaplayer.php?event_id=E47C65DD-D2FB-43BE-8F5A-94D032327409
It's 10:13am and @christopherroth is back again to try live-tweeting a different public meeting for a change!
The Board of Directors - Regular Board Meeting
We just had a very awkward and slow roll call, and here we go!
http://metro.granicus.com/mediaplayer.php?event_id=E47C65DD-D2FB-43BE-8F5A-94D032327409
First up is @SupJaniceHahn objecting to how the last meeting minutes didn't match up with the reality of what happened.
There is no video feed, so I'm going by voices here, so please be patient!
The contention was regarding the removal of call boxes that carry her dad's name.
There is no video feed, so I'm going by voices here, so please be patient!
The contention was regarding the removal of call boxes that carry her dad's name.
The insistence from Hahn on the meeting minutes change is that it's about the removal of the call boxes that is at issue, not the face that her father's name is associated with them.
The word "vehemently" was thrown around a bit.
This is a very weird meeting.
The word "vehemently" was thrown around a bit.
This is a very weird meeting.
A lack of video interface with such a large board means that folks are talking over each other all the time.
It's super awkward.
It is kind of fun to have the name/voice combination reinforced every minute or so as they're going through these roll call votes.
It's super awkward.
It is kind of fun to have the name/voice combination reinforced every minute or so as they're going through these roll call votes.
Actually, I'm guessing that they all have their own Zoom window open and can actually see each other.
But they definitely have NOT figured out how to use the mute button or keep their fingers/rustling cloth away from the microphone.
I think Chair James Butts is the main culprit.
But they definitely have NOT figured out how to use the mute button or keep their fingers/rustling cloth away from the microphone.
I think Chair James Butts is the main culprit.
There is no way to call in and give public comment at these meetings. You can either submit comment ahead of time (too late for that!) or you can submit it as text through the online portal -- interesting interface. https://metro.granicusideas.com/meetings/843-board-of-directors-regular-board-meeting-on-2020-06-25-10-00-am/agenda_items
So Inglewood's current mayor, former SM police chief (1991 to 2006), former SWAT director and former undercover cop, James Butts ( @MayorButts) just gave his departure speech.
His term as the Chair of the Metro Board of Directors is done after this meeting.
His term as the Chair of the Metro Board of Directors is done after this meeting.
During his speech, @MayorButts briefly defended the "in the moment" decisions that were made at Metro that shut down all Metro services, without any warning whatsoever, on May 30th, leaving thousands stranded waiting for rides. https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2020-06-01/la-metro-suspended-service-riders-stranded-protests-lapd
And now that his farewell speech is done, we have a number of Board members stepping up in a fucking hurry to pat him on the back and thank him for his services, even-handedness in weighing the priorities of the service areas, and for his appreciation of the Arts.
I shit you not.
I shit you not.
SOMEONE JUST SUGGESTED THAT WE GET A "BUTTS BUS" AFTER STEPPING BACK A BIT FROM URGING BUILDING A STATUE TO HIM.
This is the same @MayorButts who drove into a motorcycle cop not that long ago. https://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-james-butts-car-crash-20190430-story.html
This is the same @MayorButts who was involved in a whole bunch of shit in shady land dealing around the Clippers arena. https://www.dailybreeze.com/2018/09/06/inglewood-mayor-could-be-held-personally-liable-in-clippers-arena-lawsuit-judge-rules/
And the same @MayorButts who may or may not have had an affair with a city executive.
To me, this smells EXTREMELY SIMILAR to 2005 @josehuizar shit.
https://www.dailybreeze.com/2019/10/30/suspended-assistant-to-inglewood-mayor-turns-on-city-in-lawsuit-trying-to-block-la-clippers-arena/
To me, this smells EXTREMELY SIMILAR to 2005 @josehuizar shit.
https://www.dailybreeze.com/2019/10/30/suspended-assistant-to-inglewood-mayor-turns-on-city-in-lawsuit-trying-to-block-la-clippers-arena/
Just google "butts mcdade-dickens" and have a blast reading.
https://www.google.com/search?q=butts%20mcdade-disckens
https://www.google.com/search?q=butts%20mcdade-disckens
And now that folks have nearly completed kissing the ring, we've got @MayorOfLA giving a mildly comic speech mentioning sports teams. Garcetti is, of course, the next Chair of the Metro Board of Directors.
I spoke too soon! After @MayorOfLA finished, we've got @mridleythomas getting in here to pontificate a bit before we can get one with the rest of the meeting.
This is my first Metro Board of Directors meeting so I have no idea why the agenda doesn't have items 3 through 5 on it.
This is my first Metro Board of Directors meeting so I have no idea why the agenda doesn't have items 3 through 5 on it.
. @MayorButts says that his time on this board has had the most impact in all of his 40 years of public service.
He's now recounting all of the ways he first met basically every member of the board 20 to 40 years ago.
We have a political aristocracy in this city and county.
He's now recounting all of the ways he first met basically every member of the board 20 to 40 years ago.
We have a political aristocracy in this city and county.
The zoom meeting just erupted into applause.
"You guys are gonna make me cry." - @MayorButts
"Did Jim Butts say he was gonna cry? Let's pause the public comment for this, this is history making." - @mridleythomas, I think. Hard to tell.
Now public comment.
"You guys are gonna make me cry." - @MayorButts
"Did Jim Butts say he was gonna cry? Let's pause the public comment for this, this is history making." - @mridleythomas, I think. Hard to tell.
Now public comment.
Public comment was more praise for @MayorButts, this time from nonprofits instead of elected/appointed officials, in his role at the head of this Board.
Side note: it was Ara Najarian ( @AraJNajarian), Glendale city councilman and current mayor of that city, who suggested the "Butts Bus" after initially suggesting that someone needed to erect a statue in tribute to @MayorButts.
https://armenianweekly.com/2020/06/05/black-lives-should-matter-to-the-armenian-diaspora/
https://armenianweekly.com/2020/06/05/black-lives-should-matter-to-the-armenian-diaspora/
Oh my god. They just started a video with some R&B beats that is a tribute to @MayorButts.
This is...absolutely bizarre.
This is...absolutely bizarre.
Passing the gavel.
Channing Martinez made it in to give comment in time to be read. Urges ended the multi-agency policing contract on the buses and trains. Highlights that the majority of the citations are issued to Black and brown folks.
Urges action, not study.
Urges action, not study.
So now I have a better idea on how public comment works in this forum. You submit a written statement, the timer starts when they start reading your comment. They already include your name, so don't include it in the body of the comment, it eats into the minute they'll give it.
We are moving on to agenda item 40.
I have no idea how they're determining the order of items.
I have no idea how they're determining the order of items.
I guess I'm going to be sharing screenshots of this presentation. Suspension of service lasted 4 hours on the night of May 30. The agency seems to be excusing itself for shutting down service because "word went out" at 6pm.
Shit. Missed a screenshot of the damaged buses that was, of course, included in the presentation.
There was a very brief mention of "issues" with getting word about the shutdown to Spanish speaking Metro users.
Sounds very similar to the monolingual curfew announcements issue.
There was a very brief mention of "issues" with getting word about the shutdown to Spanish speaking Metro users.
Sounds very similar to the monolingual curfew announcements issue.
Last screenshot is about the history of the so-called "mutual aid"
Now they're saying "we know how it looks, but it was not connected" -- referring to the suspension of service and the supplying of buses to the cops to detain peaceful protesters.
Hey look, they've done it before!
Now they're saying "we know how it looks, but it was not connected" -- referring to the suspension of service and the supplying of buses to the cops to detain peaceful protesters.
Hey look, they've done it before!
Don't worry, folks, they're doing "after action reviews" on what they fucked up during the protests. At least now they're going to make sure that the cops have "depleted all of their resources" before Metro agrees to lend them buses for detaining peaceful protesters.
"We don't take these decisions lightly." - Metro's CEO, Phillip Washington, is the one who was making this presentation.
The presentation was made because of a request from @mikebonin for an explanation on why workers were stranded when leaving work. https://laist.com/2020/06/03/why_are_la_metro_buses_taking_people_arrested_in_protests_to_jail.php
The presentation was made because of a request from @mikebonin for an explanation on why workers were stranded when leaving work. https://laist.com/2020/06/03/why_are_la_metro_buses_taking_people_arrested_in_protests_to_jail.php
Apparently there were 3 buses made available for protester transport on each of the nights of the unrest.
. @HildaSolis, in reference to this report, is highlighting the need to establish a hotline or some other resource for non-English speakers. Also highlights the need to establish a stronger line of communication with Spanish-speaking news outlets.
. @mridleythomas is defending the CEO for making a "solid defensible decision" and being open to criticism from the Board moving forward.
MRT: "We shouldn't be of the mind that we're thinking about past events" -- clearly realizes that this shit isn't going away anytime soon.
MRT: "We shouldn't be of the mind that we're thinking about past events" -- clearly realizes that this shit isn't going away anytime soon.
. @mridleythomas just referenced the absolutely brutal @LASDHQ crackdown on protesters in Compton over the weekend. Side note: MRT and @LACoSheriff have been having QUITE a week on Twitter.
Here's the protest crackdown as covered by @josie_huang: https://twitter.com/josie_huang/status/1274811097564889088
Here's the protest crackdown as covered by @josie_huang: https://twitter.com/josie_huang/status/1274811097564889088
Now we have @SupJaniceHahn discussing the changes happening on the issue of transportation boards and policing agencies (including use of force policy updates) across the country.
Annnnnnd @SupJaniceHahn just referenced the absolutely horseshit #8CantWait proposals that she is so happy to announce as "police reform" -- police reform so serious that the SHERIFF SAYS THEY HAVE ALREADY ADOPTED ALL 8 STEPS CAUSE THEY DON'T DO SHIT! https://twitter.com/LACoSheriff/status/1270108037554954244
HOW FUCKING EFFECTIVE CAN THESE STEPS BE WHEN THE LOS ANGELES SHERIFF'S DEPUTIES KEEP FUCKING KILLING BLACK AND BROWN FOLKS EVERY FUCKING WEEK HOLY SHIT THIS IS ABSOLUTELY ABSURD AND THESE ELECTED LEADERS ARE SUCH FUCKING GARBAGE. GAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!
Wild. @mikebonin was just refered to as "the power behind the throne" by @MayorOfLA immediately after @MayorButts suggested that Bonin should be the incoming Metro Chairman rather than Garcetti in the context that Bonin has been taking the lead in these policing issues.
First public comment on the policing issues (item 35) suggests cancelling all policing contracts that Metro has. Second comment calls explicitly to #DefundThePolice and use the money to provide free public transit.
Third comment: echoes the same call to #DefundThePolice and remove all police from public transportation.
We have something like 57 comments to go through. It's kind of nice to see a body that spends the time to read all of the comments, even though they don't let you call in. But also, the person reading the comments is not quick and stumbles a lot, which is less good for 60 seconds
We are up to 65 comments! Y'all have like an hour to go and they'll keep reading them! https://metro.granicusideas.com/meetings/843-board-of-directors-regular-board-meeting-on-2020-06-25-10-00-am/agenda_items/5ef25f452443984209005244-37-subject-a-community-safety-approach-to-syste
Every comment so far has been highly critical of keeping the police on the buses/trains. They're calling for funding to be shifted from the police to housing the homeless, creating dedicated street vendor spaces around metro stations, stop policing poverty, etc.
Just had a comment talking about the massive disparity between fare evasion citations received by Black riders.
Next one talked about how there is no need for armed police on the buses and trains.
Next comment is urging creating "transit ambassadors" instead of armed patrols.
Next one talked about how there is no need for armed police on the buses and trains.
Next comment is urging creating "transit ambassadors" instead of armed patrols.
All of these comments are echoing the same talking points about how riders are afraid of the police on the trains/buses, how the law enforcement officers are intimidating riders, urging investment in the community and divesting from policing.
Current comment from someone representing the ACLU was just interrupted by a Metro stored value commercial?
Board member Dupont-Walker has interjected and is asking the board to entertain agenda 39 because of the hard-out she and @mridleythomas at noon.
Board member Dupont-Walker has interjected and is asking the board to entertain agenda 39 because of the hard-out she and @mridleythomas at noon.
Board member @JDUPONTW is insisting on adding language, in conjuction with @mridleythomas, to the second paragraph of @mikebonin's motion - language meant to distribute blame from the Metro CEO and spread the blame to the Board.
. @SheilaKuehl just made a comment relating to the massive number of @LAPDHQ officers calling in to skip work, in violation of their contract, over concerns about whether or not they were getting overtime pay. Kuehl points out the scale of the issue being absolutely astounding.
Metro's CEO is in the process of generating after action review of process, @LAPDChiefMoore apparently reversed his decision regarding paying overtime vs. banking it.
Some 700 officers from the LAPD called out and left the Metro without cops. Great proof that they're not needed.
Some 700 officers from the LAPD called out and left the Metro without cops. Great proof that they're not needed.
WHAT THE FUCK IS GOING ON WITH THIS CONVERSATION?!?!
THE COPS HAVE PROVEN THAT THEY PROVIDE NO FUCKING VALUE ON THE METRO BUSES AND TRAINS BY VOLUNTEERING TO WALK OFF THE JOB.
WE DIDN'T NEED THOSE 700 BODIES.
STOP ACTING LIKE THEY WERE NEEDED.
FUCKING HELL.
THE COPS HAVE PROVEN THAT THEY PROVIDE NO FUCKING VALUE ON THE METRO BUSES AND TRAINS BY VOLUNTEERING TO WALK OFF THE JOB.
WE DIDN'T NEED THOSE 700 BODIES.
STOP ACTING LIKE THEY WERE NEEDED.
FUCKING HELL.
Next public comment after the board nearly derailed the conversation about removing the cops from buses and trains by talking about needing more police on buses and trains: pull all police from buses and trains. Love it.
Comment after comment is demanding that the board shift funding away from policing and over to "metro ambassadors"
@mikebonin has just asked that the full names of each comment be read.
@mikebonin has just asked that the full names of each comment be read.
Holy shit. The comment from @DocMellyMel was just read. Apparently there was a typo at the top, but the body of the comment made it clear that @BLMLA opposes having police anywhere in the Metro system and that money be invested into reimagining public safety.
Comment after comment after comment is demanding that the Metro board #DefundThePolice and divest from all contracts with policing agencies, invest into alternatives to armed police like Metro ambassadors, invest in communities, etc. It's really great to hear.
Multiple comments from folks from @ACLU_SoCal, lots of Bus Rider's Union comments, residents from across the whole of Los Angeles (City and County) urging the Board to approve motions to remove funding from the cops and invest in measures that are actually effective instead.
Current comment is from @GinaViolaPeake who urges removing all police from the Metro system and invest it into making public transportation free for everyone.
I think only 1 of all of the comments that they've read so far has said anything other that #DefundThePolice or otherwise urged cancelling the multi-agency policing contracts. There were 65 comments to get through earlier, but I'm guessing there are a lot more now.
Jan Williams got straight to the point with her comment that called to #DefundThePolice and remove cops from the Metro system.
This is so fucking great to listen to after all that Butts butt kissing.
This is so fucking great to listen to after all that Butts butt kissing.
Current comment relating a story about seeing 10 armed officers confronting and arresting a single unhoused woman at the North Hollywood Metro Station.
So many comments calling to stop treating poverty as a crime and urge the Board to #DefundThePolice.
So many comments calling to stop treating poverty as a crime and urge the Board to #DefundThePolice.
Stepped away from the computer for a moment to start brewing coffee and missed a few comments. In fairness, @mridleythomas is paying significantly less attention to your comments than I am. Just a reminder, he stepped out of this meeting 30 minutes ago... https://twitter.com/icookedfor/status/1276228330350469120
Now we have @SupJaniceHahn offering ideas on how to make reading the comments an easier process, urging that the secretary be relieved from the process of reading comment after comment for over an hour. It's been a cluster-fuck of folks offering opinions on improvements.
Next comment is from General Jeff, one of the original founding members of the Skid Row Neighborhood Council movement, pointing out that spending on cops on Metro is massively wasteful and should be spent elsewhere.
I wonder if they've caught on to the fact that comments keep coming in and the list of things for the secretary or other staffers to read to the Board just keeps getting longer...
Still making coffee. I have my computer's speakers at maximum volume but the current comment-reader is extremely soft-spoken, so I've missed most of what has happened since I stepped away.
I did hear Laura Raymond's comment though!
Y'all are seriously amazing.
I did hear Laura Raymond's comment though!
Y'all are seriously amazing.
Annnnd they've given up on reading comments.
. @MayorButts is citing surveys that say folks have either stopped or never rode on Metro because they don't feel safe. The survey results are being cited in an extremely disingenuous manner, taking as fact that only cops with guns can improve safety... this is demonstrably wrong.
. @MayorButts is suggesting that we can solve these problems by changing the "culture of policing" and the "culture of law enforcement agencies"
He's pounding on the table now as he says that folks shouldn't be asked to do jobs that they haven't been trained to do.
He's pounding on the table now as he says that folks shouldn't be asked to do jobs that they haven't been trained to do.
. @MayorButts has clearly not been listening to the demand of virtually ALL OF THESE CALLERS to REMOVE ARMED OFFICERS from the Metro system and to replace them with unarmed community ambassadors, improving lighting at stops/stations, etc.
. @MayorButts is saying that cops are trained well enough, paid well enough, and should be capable of handling all of these situations. He *clearly* does not understand these issues at all and should have no say in how policing works in any city or community anywhere, ever.
. @MayorButts is saying that this is all a culture issue. Not a systemic racism/oppression issue. He doesn't get that cops are, by the nature of policing, a racist and oppressive force.
Butts is acting like this isn't a problem inherent to the whole fucking system.
Butts is acting like this isn't a problem inherent to the whole fucking system.
Now we get to hear @MayorOfLA spout a bunch of empty platitudes.
. @MayorOfLA says that they're hearing demands to decriminalize fare evasion.
Good.
You know what makes that SUPER FUCKING EASY?
MAKE PUBLIC TRANSIT FREE.
Good.
You know what makes that SUPER FUCKING EASY?
MAKE PUBLIC TRANSIT FREE.
"wE cAn FiNd CoMmoN gRoUnD" - MEG
. @MayorOfLA never ceases to amaze me with how many words can vomit forth from his mouth while simultaneously saying fuck all.
It's a truly remarkable skill. It's no wonder he's working for @JoeBiden's campaign.
So much talk. No action. No ideas.
Get fucked, Garcetti.
It's a truly remarkable skill. It's no wonder he's working for @JoeBiden's campaign.
So much talk. No action. No ideas.
Get fucked, Garcetti.
"It's difficult work, it's hard work, but we have to do it the right way." - MEG
@MayorButts is hopping back in again to push back on how useful data is.
Goddamn these cops love their "data" discussions.
We see you, too, @LAPDChiefMoore, Mr. Data himself.
What a fucking waste.
@MayorButts is hopping back in again to push back on how useful data is.
Goddamn these cops love their "data" discussions.
We see you, too, @LAPDChiefMoore, Mr. Data himself.
What a fucking waste.
Holy shit. @MayorButts says that calls to #DefundThePolice are coming from folks "who don't have a plan."
This is deeply and incredibly insulting to @BLMLA and their allies, deserves absolute derision from everyone forever.
Also, Butts is a sack of shit: https://twitter.com/safrazie/status/1276244353317351424
This is deeply and incredibly insulting to @BLMLA and their allies, deserves absolute derision from everyone forever.
Also, Butts is a sack of shit: https://twitter.com/safrazie/status/1276244353317351424
Now we have @mikebonin, after thanking @MayorButts and @MayorOfLA for their comments. Ignores that Butts' comments were COMPLETELY unhinged. But moves on to point out that we're at a moment of societal change, and that lots of folks are waking up to reality of systemic racism.
. @mikebonin points out that racial profiling is a huge issue with Metro and that it's been that way forever. Points out that Metro is criminalizing poverty, how it leads to stop and frisk and escalates to arrests over unpaid citations, etc.
. @mikebonin: "There is a transit to prison pipeline, and we need to acknowledge that."
Bonin has also pointed out that there is no need to have an armed officer responding to the vast majority of incidents on the Metro system.
Bonin has also pointed out that there is no need to have an armed officer responding to the vast majority of incidents on the Metro system.
Now @mikebonin is pushing back against @MayorButts directly: "I don't think it's just about the culture of policing" but rather the nature of the use of police in responding to these issues altogether.
.@miekbonin suggests that there is no reason to use an armed officer instead of a professional social worker when a social worker is the infinitely more appropriate response (eg: responding to needs of unhoused folks on trains, stops, stations, etc.)
. @mikebonin is citing a study that highlights needs of women on transit asking for unarmed responses as preferred way to improve safety, also mentions improving lighting and improved access to stations, and active use of public space by performers and others to improve safety.
Now we have @kathrynbarger weighing in, thanks @MayorButts above all others, takes issue with @mikebonin's motion (item 37) that would create a separate body to handle this transition.
. @kathrynbarger just said that "every budget I've ever worked on was for the people" as a complete dismissal of the #PeoplesBudgetLA concerns.
Now she is using her status as a scared white woman to justify more cops.
What the fuck.
Now she is using her status as a scared white woman to justify more cops.
What the fuck.
. @kathrynbarger clearly wants to increase the number of cops on Metro *and* increase the number of social and outreach workers. Wants to do both with the same money, I guess. Clearly she understands how budgets work.
ANNNNNNDDD there we go!
We got that "some bad apples" comment.
ANNNNNNDDD there we go!
We got that "some bad apples" comment.
. @kathrynbarger vehemently opposes agenda item 37. She wants so many cops. So, so many cops.
Next up is John Fasana arguing that it is the correct thing to do to lend out those buses to the cops for "mutual aid" projects (holy shit this is jarring to hear...this isn't mutual aid...goddamn) vs. having the cops carry the "undue costs" of buses that sit idle.
You know what else would make it unnecessary to give buses to the cops, Mr. Fasana? Getting the cops to stop being fascistic shitbags who are violently suppressing peaceful protests and engaging in mass-arrests of folks who ONLY DISOBEYED A BULLSHIT CURFEW.
Holy shit. You're bad.
Holy shit. You're bad.
We just heard @JDUPONTW argue that the motions being considered go too far and that we, in fact, actually need more cops on the Metro system.
. @HildaSolis is pushing back against @JDUPONTW's points and echoing the sentiments shared by @mikebonin. Solis just mentioned that recent protests have reminded her of where she came from as a young activist. She's pushing back on Dupont-Walker's points about unhoused folks.
Now @SupJaniceHahn is uplifting @HildaSolis's points that this is a moment in time to step back and look at the whole picture. Argues that this is not an indictment against the cops (which is abso-fucking-lutely is) seemingly to defuse tensions between @mikebonin & @MayorButts.
Glad to see that @SupJaniceHahn understands that "feeling safe" is a completely different experience for Black men vs. white women on Metro -- seems to be a not-so-subtle dig at @kathrynbarger's unbelievably tone-deaf comments.
Annnnnd @MayorButts has disconnected.
Folks are joking that @SupJaniceHahn's comment left Butts speechless. @MayorOfLA steps up to chair meeting in his absence.
@mikebonin gets to have the last word on this discussion, uplifts @HildaSolis and Sup. Hahn's comments.
Folks are joking that @SupJaniceHahn's comment left Butts speechless. @MayorOfLA steps up to chair meeting in his absence.
@mikebonin gets to have the last word on this discussion, uplifts @HildaSolis and Sup. Hahn's comments.
. @mikebonin argues that it is "vitally important" to keep a sustained and singular focus on reimagining public safety. Reiterates that this is a pivotal time in our history and calls for dramatic change.
@MayorButts has rejoined and now usurps the final word position.
@MayorButts has rejoined and now usurps the final word position.
. @MayorButts continues to suggest that the cops are basically blameless in all of this and that it's just a culture issue. Holy shit, he does NOT get it.
Butts is pushing back on advisory panel and argues against "diffused responsibility" on handling this issue.
Butts is pushing back on advisory panel and argues against "diffused responsibility" on handling this issue.
Here comes @kathrynbarger pushing to wait 90 days before forming any committee as suggested in item 37. @MayorButts immediately agrees.
They're both HUGE FANS OF BOOT LEATHER.
Jesus fucking Christ.
They're both HUGE FANS OF BOOT LEATHER.
Jesus fucking Christ.
. @SheilaKuehl intercedes and pushes NOT to wait and to treat this as an immediate crisis. Argues that the authors need to be asked if such an amendment is in line with their intentions (which it clearly fucking isn't).
Holy shit so they're treating this like a fucking joke. @mikebonin refuses to accept the delay, @HildaSolis and @SupJaniceHahn both comment that this is the moment to take action.
@MayorButts just keeps talking, TOTALLY IGNORING THE WILL OF THE AUTHORS OF THE MOTION.
@MayorButts just keeps talking, TOTALLY IGNORING THE WILL OF THE AUTHORS OF THE MOTION.
"There are bad people in the world, and that's why we have police officers." - @MayorButts
Ignores fact that SO MANY of the worst people around are, in fact, the fucking cops. Goddamn you're awful, Butts.
Ignores fact that SO MANY of the worst people around are, in fact, the fucking cops. Goddamn you're awful, Butts.
They're voting on item 37: all "yes" votes so far, including @kathrynbarger who voiced serious concerns and urged delay, same with @MayorButts.
Wait. What the fuck. Butts just said that they're moving to item 37 now, but they just voted on it. WHAT THE FUCK IS HAPPENING.
Wait. What the fuck. Butts just said that they're moving to item 37 now, but they just voted on it. WHAT THE FUCK IS HAPPENING.
NOBODY KNOWS WHAT THEY JUST VOTED ON. WHAT THE FUCK. THIS IS SO BAD.
OK, so the stream said that that vote was for item 37, but a lot of the Board thought it was for 35. Lots of confusion. No re-counting of votes despite this confusion.
Moving on to vote on 37 for real with some minor friendly amendments.
Moving on to vote on 37 for real with some minor friendly amendments.
Item 37 carried! Fantastic.
There were a couple of no votes, which is fun to see who the assholes are.
They love to show their colors here.
There were a couple of no votes, which is fun to see who the assholes are.
They love to show their colors here.
We have moved on to public comment for item 38. None of the public comments so far supports using Metro buses to transport peaceful protesters.
Folks are urging changing these "mutual aid" arrangements to exclude this kind of cooperation with the cops.
Folks are urging changing these "mutual aid" arrangements to exclude this kind of cooperation with the cops.
. @laurajraymond got a great comment in urging that Metro revamp their mutual aid agreement to remove transporting peaceful protesters from any and all agreements moving foward.
All comments here are damning the behavior of the CEO (and by extension the Board) for shutting down transit during the curfew.
One comment: "On May 30, Metro failed the community and the region it serves..." by leaving so many folks stranded as they were trying to leave work.
One comment: "On May 30, Metro failed the community and the region it serves..." by leaving so many folks stranded as they were trying to leave work.
Oh shit! We have our first comment that is critical of the idea of moving away from armed officers at Metro stations. Concern of the comment is that the positive changes will be reversed. Urges *more* @LASDHQ presence at the end of the Gold Line. Comment is from Erika in Pasadena
Erika claims to speak for "many many individuals who share the same concern" despite the fact that not a single other comment on these motions echoed her sentiments.
Un-fucking-real.
Un-fucking-real.
The roll is open on agenda item 38.
All "yes" votes...aside from the bunch of folks that stepped out of the meeting already -- looking at you, @mridleythomas -- or didn't show up ( @PaulKrekorian).
Do your fucking jobs.
All "yes" votes...aside from the bunch of folks that stepped out of the meeting already -- looking at you, @mridleythomas -- or didn't show up ( @PaulKrekorian).
Do your fucking jobs.
We just heard the second comment (that I'm aware of) that praised the cops on Metro, specifically references the 1992 uprising and having cops on a bus to protect their mom. Comment seems to ignore the fact that there are unarmed solutions that are more effective, but whatever.
Final comment regarding item 39: "Please implement this so that we do not have a repeat of May 30th, thank you."
Unanimous vote in support of agenda item 39, as amended, I believe.
A couple of public comments in support of agenda item 36, they're calling the roll to vote on this motion. The audio quality of the meeting just went straight the fuck down the toilet. Not sure what made that happen. Garcetti voted twice? Could be an echo?
NOW THEY ARE ALL SAYING "YES YES"
. @MayorButts decided to spice it up with "yes yes and yes'
Well, they didn't show the vote total, but whatever.
I'm giving up on this stream in a minute.
The issues about the cops have been handled (and passed, hooray!) and I've got other shit to do today because, unlike the Board, I'm not being paid for this shit.
I'm giving up on this stream in a minute.
The issues about the cops have been handled (and passed, hooray!) and I've got other shit to do today because, unlike the Board, I'm not being paid for this shit.
Thanks for tuning in, folks!
I hope this was as informative for y'all as it was for me.
Main lesson: some elected folks are completely irredeemable but might still vote the right way if you shout enough -- looking at you, @MayorButts.
I'm done for the day here.
Thanks again!
I hope this was as informative for y'all as it was for me.
Main lesson: some elected folks are completely irredeemable but might still vote the right way if you shout enough -- looking at you, @MayorButts.
I'm done for the day here.
Thanks again!
