Columbia Heights Mayor Addresses Racist Incident At Parks And Recreation Meeting

Columbia Heights Mayor Addresses Racist Incident At Parks And Recreation Meeting

At the Columbia Heights City Council meeting on April 28, 2025, Mayor Amáda Márquez Simula announced forthcoming changes to the city's public forum policies and staff training protocols. This decision follows a disturbing incident at the April Parks and Recreation Commission meeting, where an anonymous, masked individual used the public comment period to direct a racist and personal attack at Commissioner Taher Herzallah.

Mayor Simula condemned the incident, stating that such behavior is unacceptable and does not reflect the values of Columbia Heights. She emphasized the city's commitment to fostering an inclusive and respectful environment for all community members.

In response to the incident, the city plans to implement the following measures:

• Revised Public Forum Rules: Updates to the public comment procedures to prevent anonymous attacks and ensure respectful discourse during meetings.
• Enhanced Staff Training: Development and implementation of training programs for city staff and commissioners to address and prevent discriminatory behavior.

Commissioner Herzallah, who serves on the Parks and Recreation Commission, has been an active member of the community. The city stands in solidarity with him and reaffirms its dedication to upholding the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion.

The Columbia Heights City Council encourages residents to participate in upcoming meetings and to contribute to a community dialogue centered on respect and mutual understanding.

For more information on the new policies and training programs, residents can visit the city's official website or contact the City Clerk's office.