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Flores, Dora From: Arcelia Gutierrez <arceliag@umich.edu> Sent: Tuesday, June 17, 2025 1:47 PM To: eComment Subject: Public comment regarding ICE enforcement, local law enforcement, and local leadership Attention: This email originated from outside of City of Santa Ana. Use caution when opening attachments or links. Dear City Councilmembers, City Staff, and Valerie Amezcua, My name is Arcelia Gutierrez and I am a resident of Santa Ana in the French Park neighborhood. I write to express my gratitude to council members Jesse Lopez, Benjamin Vazquez, and Johnathan Hernandez for their exemplary leadership during this last week and a half. When our city faced devastating Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids, police brutality against protesters, and the militarized presence of the National Guard, councilmembers Lopez, Vazquez, and Hernandez were on the front lines protecting their constituents and defending our first amendment rights. I write to request that the City of Santa Ana implement a community alert system to notify residents when ICE operations are occurring in our area. A transparent alert system would allow residents to make informed decisions and take necessary precautions to protect themselves and their families. I also request the City of Santa Ana formally oppose the presence of the National Guard in our city. Furthermore, I request that the City of Santa Ana defend the first amendment rights of its constituents and demilitarize the Santa Ana Police Department. I witnessed numerous instances in which law enforcement fired rubber bullets, used flash grenades, and deployed tear gas against peaceful Santa Ana protesters. Local law enforcement used excessive force, hurt and endangered Santa Ana residents, and caused damages to local businesses. The Santa Ana Police Department should protect its residents, not endanger them. Lastly, I write to demand that Valerie Amezcua resign her position as mayor of the City of Santa Ana. Her dangerous words and inaction endangered thousands of Santa Ana residents. Amezcua issued a statement that criminalized local protesters, cowardly hid for three days, and only retracted when public opinion resoundingly opposed her actions. We do not want a mayor that is absent during times of crisis and only shows up for photo opps to save face. We need a mayor that actually cares for their constituents. Amezcua is not fit to be Santa Ana's mayor and should resign. Sincerely, Arcelia Gutierrez Santa Ana resident N