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chispa March 19, 2024 Mayor Amezcua and City Councilmembers 20 Civic Center Plaza Santa Ana, CA 92701 ecommentC&,Santa-ana. ors Via Email RE: OPPOSE ITEM 24: Ordinance Establishing Distance Requirements for Targeted Residential Picketing Dear Mayor Amezcua and City Councilmembers, Chispa urges you to vote NO on Item 24, an Ordinance Establishing Distance Requirements for Targeted Residential Picketing. The City of Santa Ana (City) must refuse to trample upon the fundamental right of its residents to protest. Approving this ordinance will not only set a bad precedent across the City, but across the County and State. Instead of limiting the rights of residents, the City should focus on fostering open dialogue and engagement between elected officials and the communities they serve. The right to peacefully protest is a cornerstone of democracy, allowing individuals to voice their concerns and hold elected officials accountable. This ordinance comes on the heels of a series of protests in front of Congressman Lou Correa's house due to his continued silence as more and more elected officials and people across the country call for a Ceasefire in Gaza. Targeting specific individuals or incidents should not serve as justification for curtailing the rights of all residents. Restricting this right through the imposition of distance requirements sets a dangerous precedent that undermines the principles of free speech and civic engagement. Furthermore, protesting outside the homes of public officials is not a new phenomenon in Santa Ana. Past protests, such as those outside then -City Councilmember Vicente Sarmiento's residence in 2016, did not lead to similar restrictive measures. Public officials have a duty to acknowledge and honor the rights of their constituents to protest in a peaceful manner.