A three-member Los Altos City Council majority agreed last week to intervene in the ongoing dispute surrounding an Asian-American council member and a young Black activist. Members plan to place the issue on the agenda at the council meeting scheduled next Tuesday.
Toward the end of the council’s May 11 meeting, Councilmember Sally Meadows suggested the need “to come up with a solution for this council and the public … to get our community back together.”
Meadows told the Town Crier last week her understanding is that Mayor Neysa Fligor and Councilmember Jonathan Weinberg would work on the specifics of the discussion and agendize it for Tuesday’s meeting.
“I’m sure this continues to be hurtful to all involved, but it is not acceptable that a family in our community and those that have supported them have not had closure on this issue in nearly half a year,” Meadows said. “Since that has not happened, the council has to step in. Whatever form the discussion takes, my hope is that the entire council will engage constructively and that the entire council will support a way forward.”
The action comes nearly six months after Councilmember Lynette Lee Eng expressed concerns for her family’s safety after receiving texts from Kenan Moos, a leader of the Los Altos social justice group Justice Vanguard. Moos and his backers have called for Lee Eng to apologize for allegedly criminalizing Moos. His supporters have called in to every council meeting since November to make their case. Lee Eng’s supporters say she is being bullied, and Lee Eng has vowed not to apologize. An attempt at mediation failed.
Seeking resolution
The council majority’s agreement to step in came after hearing last week from several Moos supporters, who called for the council to get involved in seeking a resolution.
“Since an apology is not forthcoming from Councilmember Lee Eng, a resolution of public condemnation for her actions is the only real solution available,” Renee Rashid said.
“I again call on you to be upstanders – demonstrate the kind of leadership your citizens expect and deserve, and stand up for a member of your community who had been wronged,” Tara Dhillon said.
Added Karen Solpon: “It is time to finally prioritize resolution of this issue and make it an agenda item.”
But Lee Eng backers were adamant that Lee Eng had nothing to apologize for and was falsely accused of targeting Moos.
“Ms. Lee Eng never stated she felt threatened. She received a text calling her racist – the text actually called her supporters racist – which is a hateful lie,” Cindy James said.
“Mayor Fligor, I implore you to stop the gaslighting of Councilmember Lee Eng. … Stop allowing this incident to dominate every single council meeting.”
For the first time, Lee Eng supporters speaking and commenting at last week’s meeting outnumbered Moos backers.
“You can’t fight racism with racism,” said a speaker identifying herself as Linda. “The bullies have made no effort to understand Ms. Lee Eng’s culture or point of view. It’s time for the bullies to educate themselves about Asian culture, show the empathy they demand and stop the attacks.”
A speaker calling himself Jonathan offered a blistering rebuke of Moos supporters: “Their rhetoric is vile, it’s demeaning and is intended to destroy her. … You people (council) need to grow a backbone and stand up to these thugs.”
