Modesto can fight hate by honoring Black, Jewish, LGBTQ+ communities, councilman says
Councilman Chris Ricci says after recent outbursts of hatred and intolerance, the city needs to let racists, anti-Semites and homo- and transphobes know their messages are not welcome in Modesto.
He wants the city to paint a downtown crosswalk the colors of the rainbow flag, a symbol of the LGBTQ+ community, place a monument in a city park honoring the local Jewish community’s contributions, and declare Juneteenth a city holiday. Juneteenth is a federal holiday that recognizes the end of slavery for Black Americans.
Ricci said these efforts are a “statement that we value every member of our community, and it’s a response to the racists, bigots and anti-Semites,” he said in a Wednesday interview. Ricci first spoke about his proposal at Tuesday’s City Council meeting.
He said Graceada Park would be a good spot for the monument, and the rainbow crosswalk could be at J and 12th streets because of that area’s LGBTQ+-friendly businesses.
Ricci said he wants the city to honor these communities in response to the recent outbursts.
Anti-Semitic leaflets were distributed in at least four Modesto neighborhoods over the Fourth of July weekend. Ricci said a Modesto Police Department Facebook post celebrating Juneteenth was met with racist comments. And the third annual straight pride rally was held in Modesto last August. The rally drew a few dozen supporters, including members of the Proud Boys.
“Clearly, if you can’t say ‘Happy Juneteenth,’ we have a problem,” Ricci said about the MPD Facebook post.
The MPD post drew 317 comments and 70 shares. The comments included posters saying the day actually was Father’s Day, July 4 is the day to celebrate freedom and asking what Juneteenth is about. Other posters said both holidays could be celebrated. Posters called each other names, including “racist” and “keyboard warrior.”
Ricci emphasized these are his ideas on how Modesto can honor and celebrate its diversity and should be considered conversation starters. Ricci said he will start talking with members of the city’s Black, Jewish and LGBTQ+ communities, and those talks will include their ideas on how to honor their communities.
But he said if Juneteenth became a city holiday, it would be an opportunity for the city to help strengthen the community’s current Juneteenth celebrations. (The holiday would be only for the city and its employees and would not affect businesses.)
Ricci said he does not have a timeline for when these proposals could become realities. But he said it will take time and he expects to eventually have discussions with his fellow council members at council committee and council meetings.
The City Council would have to approve Ricci’s proposal.
Ricci said he spoke at Tuesday’s council meeting in an effort to start a public conversation and allow residents to weigh in with their ideas, criticisms and suggestions.
Councilman Tony Madrigal at Tuesday’s meeting said the city could use some of the nearly $46 million of its federal pandemic relief funding it has allocated for beautification projects to pay for the proposal.
