2 Incoming San Diego Council Members Adopt Anti-Trump Stance

SAN DIEGO -- Two incoming members of the San Diego City Council on Nov. 30 urged their future colleagues to adopt a legislative platform opposing federal policies they expect to be adopted once President-elect Donald Trump takes office.

The call came in a joint statement from council members-elect Chris Ward and Georgette Gomez.

``The election of Donald Trump after a campaign directly threatening the basic rights and humanity of San Diego's LGBTQ community, immigrants, and diverse faiths must be a call to action,'' said Ward, who will represent Hillcrest, the historic heart of San Diego's gay and lesbian community.

``Since the election he has clearly signaled his intention to followthrough on his reckless campaign rhetoric, and our city must send a clear message now to concerned residents and the incoming administration alike thatwe will stand up for all San Diegans against hate and destructive policies,'' he said.

Gomez said Trump's words and actions have had a chilling effect in her communities, which run from the College Area through City Heights to Southcrest, and include many residents new to the United States.

``Our city has a proud and rich history of welcoming immigrants andrefugees, and I am fully committed to stand with all San Diegans to ensureevery resident is treated with dignity and respect,'' Gomez said.

``The direction being charted by the incoming administration with regardto border and immigration policies threaten our workforce, undermine publicsafety and stifle our economic vitality in our binational region,'' she said. ``Our border city is a unique, vibrant, and diverse community -- and we intendto safeguard the rights of all San Diegans.''

The City Council is scheduled to consider its federal legislative platform for next year at its meeting on Monday, a week before Ward and Gomezare sworn in. The platform provides directions for the city's lobbying effortsin Washington, D.C.

Some of their suggestions are to oppose:

• Federal funding cuts to cities where local law enforcement agenciesdo not cooperate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents;
• Federal attempts to intervene with the interests of cities ingoverning their communities, including compelling local law enforcement to actas federal agents or prosecuting city leaders who seek local protections forundocumented immigrants;
• The development of any registry of individuals based on religious identification, country of origin, racial or ethnic background;
• Funding and development of unnecessary and ineffective borderinfrastructure, like a wall, and to instead enhance cross-border commerce, and;
• The reversal of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals programs thathave helped eligible minors and young adults pursue higher education opportunities.

They said they would support federal assistance and legislation to givelocal law enforcement the ability to prevent and respond to hate crimes and discrimination.

By City News Service/Image via Shutterstock