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While many downtown businesses boarded up in anticipation of Tuesday’s protest in Redwood City, the owners of August Barbershop took a more hopeful direction.

Marissa Ramirez and Ruby Baez, who co-own their business at 704 Winslow St., decided, instead, to set up a station outside their shop serving water, pizza and some shade for protesters who might need a refresher.

“We decided not to board up our business because we wanted to show the community that we’re here, we stand with you,” Ramirez said.

The hopefulness was not misplaced. Hundreds of people packed Courthouse Square for a peaceful protest Tuesday organized by young people in Redwood City. The large protest remained impassioned and positive despite attempts by agitators on social media to inject chaos prior to the event.  As of Wednesday morning, no damages were reported, Councilmember Giselle Hale said. The protest is among the many being held across the U.S. in response to the killing of George Floyd, an unarmed African American man, by Minneapolis police on May 25. A protest is also scheduled to take place at San Mateo City Hall today at 5 p.m.

In Redwood City, even businesses that boarded up for added security found ways to connect with protesters in solidarity. The Fox Theatre in Redwood City invited artist Jose Castro, creative director of Anonymous Recipes (Recetas Anonimas), to paint messages supporting the movement on the bare board. The artwork became a visible symbol and highlight for the event.

“Our small businesses encouraged artwork and many of them joined in the protest,” Councilmember Hale said. “Now let’s start a conversation about what lasting change will look like on the Peninsula.”

Added Councilmember Ian Bain, “I was extremely moved by what I witnessed downtown yesterday. I saw a diverse group of people, of all backgrounds coming together to peacefully express their desire for change. I saw young people, yearning for a better future where everyone is treated equally, and can feel safe, as well as a willingness to work for that. It felt like we had reached a turning point, where the awareness of systematic racism and the desire to change things are stronger than ever. For the first time in a long time, I felt hopeful about America’s future.”

Organizers of the Redwood City protest included local residents Josh Josue, 20, Gilbert Medrano, 21, Tiffany Medrano Martinez, 14 and Tyson Fraley, 21. Prior to the event, their flyers were altered by agitators attempting to incite violence. Anticipating that possibility, businesses boarded up. In a separate show of community spirit, merchants helped one another in the effort to protect businesses. The young protest organizers worked with the city to ensure a space where voices demanding justice and equality could be heard.

Redwood City police thanked the community “for doing their part to ensure a peaceful demonstration.” The police also did their part. In one powerful report captured toward the end of the protest, after curfew, a San Jose Mercury news photographer snapped images of a police officer kneeling before protesters, and then hugging a protester, which led to cheers. NBC Bay Area reported the scene. Redwood City Library Director Derek Wolfgram expressed gratitude to organizers, attendees and the “thoughtful approach of our colleagues in the Redwood City Police Department, to keep everyone safe.”

Both during and after the protest, community members swarmed social media with words and images of pride and a renewed hope for systemic change.

“I saw a movement in Redwood City,” filmmaker Anthony Gapastione posted on Facebook, saying smaller rallies that began Friday swelled up to Tuesday’s large protest.

“It was attended by all ages and ethnicities and it was led by so many diverse, young people with passionate voices who’ve seen so much pain in a short amount of time,” Gapastione said. “I applaud all of you for your poetry, spoken word, expletives, demands, hopes, dreams and stories.”

Adam Alberti, publisher of Climate Magazine, attended the demonstration with his teenage daughter and said he left feeling encouraged.

“It gave me hope that we may have finally reached the point where we will not tolerate this anymore,” Alberti said.

Floyd was not just a victim of a few bad apples, but was a “victim of a system, like far too many before him,” that system doesn’t treat all Americans equally, Alberti said. Floyd’s death, he added, is a grim reminder of how “little we have travelled down that long road since Rodney King.” But in Redwood City and across America, there’s hope today that the nation is at a tipping point. Alberti hopes the energy and commitment to change will make a difference at the polls in November.

“Without leadership changes in our body politics, we will not see the change in the systems that govern our lives,” he said.

Photo credit for top photo: Adrian Andrade

A rock was thrown through the window of San Mateo Councilmember Amourence Lee’s home on Tuesday.

Lee recorded the aftermath of the frightening experience on Facebook Live. She called police and said her family, including her young daughter, was not hurt.

An unknown suspect threw the rock in an area of the window where her family hangs an American flag. Lee suspects the incident was retribution for her attending her city’s first ever LGBT Pride flag-raising ceremony on Monday evening. The incident occurred amid a time of deep turmoil in the community and nation reeling over the killing of George Floyd while in Minnesota police custody. It also comes as local leaders battle an increase in anti-Asian assaults and harassment connected to the COVID-19 pandemic. On Friday, police responded to another incident of anti-China graffiti in San Mateo.

“This is where we hang the American flag that says dignity, liberty and justice for all,” Lee, who is Asian, said in the video. “This is where the rock went through the window.”

The rock caused glass to shatter inside her home. Lee described being frightened by a clear act of violence and harassment in her community.

“I’m not afraid of you,” she said on Facebook Live. “I will not stop. There are too many people calling for justice, and this community is with me, and this community will continue working for justice. We will not stop.”

Lee also expressed gratitude for community support since the incident.

Organizers behind a planned protest in Redwood City today are calling for a peaceful demonstration, saying efforts to demand justice and change in the wake of George Floyd’s death would be drowned out by violence and looting.

The protest is set to begin at 4 p.m. today at Courthouse Square and will feature a number of speakers including Redwood City Planning Commissioner Michael Smith and community advocate Isaac Whiting, among others, according to Tyson Fraley, 21, a Fair Oaks resident who attended Sequoia High, is active in civic organizations and is helping to organize the demonstration. Mayor Diane Howard and Councilmember Giselle Hale are also expected to attend.

The protest was originally planned by Redwood City residents Josh Josue, 20, and Gilbert Medrano, 21, with Gilbert’s younger sister, Tiffany Medrano, 14, helping to craft a flyer. Fraley recently joined the effort.

The group plans to hold both a demonstration today and, if all remains peaceful, a march as well. If anyone show up to attempt to hijack the affair, Fraley said, the protest will remain at the square.

The original flyer for the event was altered by outside agitators to promote looting of businesses, Fraley said. He added the event’s original flyer mis-communicated the protest’s intention by requesting that demonstrators not turn their anger on small businesses. Organizers did not intend to indicate that big businesses should then be targeted, he said.

Rumors of possible looting prompted concern in the community and the boarding up of downtown businesses. The intention of this protest is to be peaceful, and organizers have been communicating with the city leaders, such as Councilmembers Giselle Hale and Alicia Aguirre, to ensure that voices demanding justice be heard.

In a statement, the city said the Redwood City Police Department will have a strong presence at the event. Mayor Howard said her city has a “long history of peaceful and respectful protests” and expects today’s demonstration “to be no different.”

The protest’s organizer echoed the mayor’s sentiment. Fraley said violence and looting is often carried out by “white kids fighting capitalism” and only hurts the movement by putting the lives of peaceful protesters, including black lives, in potentially deadly confrontations with police.

“It undermines the movement and gives people who are racists a reason to say this isn’t legitimate,” Fraley said. “We’re trying to rescue this nation from the cliff, not push it off.”

Josue and Gilbert Medrano, who organized a protest in recent years to denounce President Trump’s policies, said they want a platform for community members in the city who want justice for police violence against unarmed men, including black men.

“We want to give our black community a way to feel safe, a way for them to talk to our community,” Josue said. “And we feel like the politicians in our city might lend an ear.”

Gilbert Medrano added the opportunity to provide a voice for younger generations to speak their minds on the future they’d like to see.

“Everybody should have a right to protest, gather, to be there,” he said.

All photos credited to Abby Alberti

For the first time in San Mateo’s history and for the second time in Redwood City’s history, an LGBT flag was raised in their respective cities Monday.

Recorded live online, the city councils of both cities have proclaimed June as Pride Month in their communities. They’re among a growing number of cities joining the annual tradition that recognizes, supports and celebrates LGBT community members. Community leaders said the ceremonies came at an important time in history. The public promotions of inclusivity come amid national unrest over George Floyd, an African American man who died while in police custody in Minneapolis.

In San Mateo, Mayor Joe Goethels was joined by Councilmember Amourence Lee in the presentation of a Pride Month proclamation to Craig Wiesner, member of the San Mateo County LGBTQ Commission. Francisco Sapp, program director for San Mateo County Pride Center, also spoke during the event about the need to recognize a world “that is hurting right now.”

Added Wiesner,”…Until we all stand up for anyone who is being persecuted, based on the color of their skin, their ancestry, their immigration status, their abilities or disabilities, or how they present and who they love, this rainbow that we’re about to raise represents our aspirations, not everyone’s reality. It’s been 57 years since the march on Washington, and 51 years since the Stonewall Riots, and we still got a whole lot of work to do.”

At Redwood City’s flag-raising ceremony at Courthouse Square, Mayor Diane Howard provided opening remarks followed by Dana Johnson, member of the San Mateo County LGBTQ Commission.

“The rainbow flag is widely recognized as the symbol of pride, inclusion and support for social movements that advocate for LGBTQ people in our society,” Howard said. “Redwood City is a welcoming city, we support visibility and equality for LGBTQ people in our diverse community.”

Johnson thanked the city and echoed the sentiment that more needs to be done to ensure justice for all.

“In America, we are not safe as a marginalized community to express our originality, uniqueness, racial and sexuality expressions, and identity, so the LGBTQ community created a visibility project to break those barriers,” Johnson said. “It’s impactful and historical if we can get all cities in San Mateo County to join this visibility project to raise the pride and show the LGBTQ+ community members that they are supported and have freedom of expression and visibility of the LGBTQ+ culture.”

Joining Howard and Johnson at today’s flag-raising were Councilmembers Giselle Hale, Diane Reddy and Ian Bain.

“Change is slow until it’s fast. It’s up to each of us to create the momentum for change,” Hale posted on social media following the ceremony. “We are being reminded that we can never let up in the fight for equality. All are welcome in Redwood City. All belong.”

The LGBT flags will be flown throughout the month of June.

On Friday, the City of San Carlos will also have a flag-raising ceremony at 5 p.m.

Redwood City is preparing for a planned demonstration at City Hall Tuesday.

The protest over the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis police custody is scheduled to take place at 4 p.m., the city said. Today, images of businesses boarding up their businesses were posted to social media.

“The Redwood City Police Department is actively preparing for this event and will have a strong presence to provide for the safety of demonstrators, law enforcement, and the Redwood City community,” the city said in a statement.

Mayor Diane Howard said her city has a “long history of peaceful and respectful protests” and expects Tuesday’s demonstration “to be no different.” The mayor encouraged community members wishing to attend to wear face covering and practice physical distancing to avoid the spread of COVID-19.

The city also said it would respect the right to protest but would not tolerate violence, vandalism and lawlessness.

In a recent statement, Redwood City Police Chief Dan Mulholland expressed outrage and anger at watching the Minneapolis officers’ treatment of Floyd, offered condolences to the Floyd family and encouraged the community “to find peaceful ways to unify and heal from this tragedy.”

“Additional violence and destruction is not the answer and only serves to further erode who we are and what we stand for as a society,” Mullholland said. Read his full statement here.

Climate Magazine’s monthly issue will not appear in print for a third consecutive month due to coronavirus restrictions on distribution. However, the June issue can be read in its entirety right here on Climate’s website.

The expanded 40-page issue, accessed by clicking here, includes all of the Redwood City-based publication’s staples. Additional guest contributions have been included, among them columns related to the pandemic.

San Mateo police Chief Ed Barberini called the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis a “senseless tragedy” and “another reminder of how much work we must do to promote a society where everyone is afforded equitable treatment and protections under the law.”

On Tuesday at 5 p.m., the police chief is set to host a Zoom town hall panel discussion about the deadly police encounter that has prompted protests and riots across the nation.

San Mateo police officers are “angry, disappointed and frustrated when our noble profession is compromised by the actions of one,” Chief Barberini said.

“This is a huge step back for us as a profession and compromises the trust we work so hard to build,” said Officer Rory McMilton, president of the San Mateo Police Officers’ Association. “We’re better than this and no one despises the bad cops more than the good cops.”

Chief Barberini touted his department’s ongoing investments in crisis intervention techniques, advanced de-escalation communication tactics and body-worn cameras. The department embraced California’s Act to Save Lives (AB392), legislation passed last year with the aim of reducing incidents of police use of deadly force.

“Our officers undergo continual training throughout their career with our city,” the chief said. “They have been trained to recognize the differences between racial bias and signs of criminal or suspicious activity.”

Tuesday’s town hall aims to discuss the status of local policing given current events and invites community input on how local officers can “better provide the safety and quality of life expected within the city of San Mateo.”

“We must respond to criminal actions with justice, show compassion for those who need guidance, and meet opposition with empathy,” Chief Barberini said. “Together, let’s move towards a more equitable and just future.”

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Redwood City police Chief Dan Mulholland posted a statement to social media today about the death of George Floyd. Here it is in full:

“The death of Mr. George Floyd while in the custody of members of the Minneapolis Police Department is tragic and shocking. Like you I was both outraged and angered by the images of his detention and I applaud the quick response by Minneapolis Chief of Police Medaria Arrandondo to hold those responsible for their action or inaction. I offer my condolences to the Floyd family and I encourage those of us who are hurt and angered by this event to find peaceful ways to unify and heal from this tragedy. Additional violence and destruction is not the answer and only serves to further erode who we are and what we stand for as a society. The actions of a few have tarnished the image of law enforcement professionals across our great nation and I am saddened by the loss of life and community trust caused by events such as this. The actions of others do not reflect the ethics and high professional standards of the men and women of the Redwood City Police Department. We take great pride in our delivery of exceptional public safety service and serve by our motto of:

‘Providing Excellent Service with Integrity and Respect.’

These words are written above the doorway of our employee entrance at the police facility and serve as a constant reminder to staff of our daily mission. Our delivery of public safety service is carried out in partnership with the Community of Redwood City, a partnership that is based upon familiarity, transparency and trust. We are a group of highly dedicated public safety professionals who stand ready to serve this amazing and diverse community. We are your police department and we are grateful for the trust and incredible support we receive from the Community of Redwood City. We are stronger together and I encourage you to join my family and me as we pray for safety, unity, calm and healing.”