EVANSTON, Ill. (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- The City of Evanston is responding to antisemitic comments made during an official meeting last week.
A national antisemitic hate group organized public commentors that spouted antisemitic conspiracy theories, racial epithets, graphic and vulgar hateful fantasies and other offensive and dangerous rhetoric, according to a joint statement from the Evanston mayor, city manager, city clerk, and nine city council members.
The city leaders all lent their signatures to the letter expressing that there is no reason to believe these individuals are actual residents of Evanston with additional messaging that the city has no place for hate.
"Rhetoric like this is incompatible not only with our community’s values and basic human decency, but also with our commitment to holding inclusive Council meetings where all residents feel comfortable and safe expressing their views," the letter stated.
At the time, officials said they did what they "could to limit this behavior, including muting and removing speakers, who violated our ban on 'threatening, personal, or abusive language' and eventually ending public comment altogether."
The letter also states that the city will explore legal options to prevent the incident from happening again, but that their action will be limited under the First Amendment and Open Meetings Act.
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