CHICO — A massive protest and counter-protest are planned Tuesday evening for downtown Chico before the City Council meeting starts at 6 p.m.
Organizers said they are expecting as many as 1,500 protesters to surround the City Council Chambers. There will also likely be a counter-protest planned nearby, but its expected numbers are unknown.
The protest was formed by local business owners and concerned citizens to encourage the city council to ban the North Valley Harm Reduction Coalition from operating a syringe access program. The program was granted to NVHRC by the state’s department of public health, not the city of Chico.
NVHRC program manager Angel Gomez said the counter-protest is not affiliated with the coalition, but they were informed there was one being organized.
“I fully support the right to protest; we have no issue with that,” Gomez said. “We hope that the city will look at the realities of the program and the information about the success this program has had in other places and won’t move forward with the ban.
Before the program was approved in October, Gomez said she “would encourage people to look at the data and to research, because all of their worries and fears have been addressed.”
“Every major medical association agrees that syringe access is good — not only for the users themselves for also for the community as a whole,” Gomez said.
The California Department of Public Health said research has consistently found that increasing access to sterile syringes significantly reduces the risk of HIV transmission, and that California law supports efforts to expand access to sterile syringes through syringe access programs.
The California Department of Public Health was closed for Presidents Day and was unable to return a request for comment.
Chico Police Chief Mike O’Brien and Butte County Sheriff Kory Honea have previously said that though they are in general support of the coalition’s work, they oppose the syringe access program.
Butte County Public Health Officer Dr. Andy Miller, who presented to the City Council on the issue on behalf of the county’s Public Health Department in October, has said he is in support of the access program.
At the council’s last meeting, Councilor Sean Morgan requested a discussion to consider an ordinance “banning needle distribution programs in the city.”
Gomez said it is her understanding that even if the city passes an ordinance banning needle access programs, the city would need to work directly with the state on what that would look like for Chico and the NVHRC’s continued efforts.
“We do follow best practices that are recommended not only by the state of California but also multiple other programs,” Gomez said.
Contentious ordinances
Protesters are also hoping to force the city’s hand on maintaining the Sit & Lie and Offenses Against Public Property ordinances. The former bans sitting or lying on sidewalks in commercial areas, while the latter bans public urination and defecation, and places strict laws on public alcohol consumption and the immediate disposal of dog droppings. Mayor Randall Stone and Vice Mayor Alex Brown have requested a discussion Tuesday to possibly rescind or amend both ordinances.
There is some debate as to whether or not the ordinances are even legal, and those in favor of abolishing the laws have argued it is applied selectively and serves to criminalize homelessness.
“We continue to pick at small pieces of the problem of homelessness when what’s needed is a master plan,” said Councilor Scott Huber.
March around the chambers
On Feb. 4, at the last regular council meeting, protesters carried signs that said “Kids Not Needles,” “Keep Sit-Lie” and “Protect Our Waterways.” They also used pickups and semitrailers from local businesses to block and slowly move along downtown’s busy Main Street during the evening rush hour, creating a traffic jam in front of the council chambers miles long.
The mayor has begun the meeting without comment of what’s going on outside.
Outside, the protest continues, and cars honking their approval can be heard inside the chambers, periodically. pic.twitter.com/SvBUt7izZ8
— Robin Epley (@ByRobinEpley) February 5, 2020
Protest organizer Jody Gallaway, a business owner in Chico, said they do not plan to block the streets again and have been making safety a No. 1 priority.
“I’m concerned about safety, and I’m very concerned about counter-protests,” Gallaway said. “We have really tried to make this a safe event. We keep stressing to not engage and be peaceful and let our numbers reflect our frustration and concern.”
Gallaway said protesters will be gathering in multiple places, but the main location will be at 5 p.m. in the downtown parking lot, near East Third and Wall streets. From there, it’s a short walk to the council chambers at 421 Main St. where at least three groups will merge and use their numbers to encircle the council chambers.
Jesica Giannola, one of the organizers of the counter-protest, said “It’s not a protest, but a plea for better understanding of the program their side continues to protest. We will be peaceful, with no intent of combative engagement. Support for the public health program that supports the people of the city is our message.”
The City Council meeting will be held at 6 p.m. Tuesday in the City Council Chambers at 421 Main St. in Chico.
