(NewsReady.com) – California is known for its extremely liberal politicians and laws. However, Huntington Beach is a reminder that Ronald Reagan was once governor of the state. The conservative town recently ignited a controversy when it voted to ban multiple celebrations.
On December 19, Huntington Beach City Councilmember Casey McKeon, Mayor Gracey Van Der Mark, and Mayor Pro Tem Pat Burns introduced and voted 4-3 to pass a 12-month calendar proposal to “honor the rich historic heritage of the” country, state, and city. During the meeting, McKeon indicated the city would not celebrate Black History Month in 2024. Instead, the plan replaces it with “The Revolutionary and Civil War.” Instead of celebrating the history of black people in America, residents will honor the founding of the country and the Civil War.
The new calendar replaces Women’s History Month in March with “California’s History.” Pride Month, which is usually celebrated in June, is replaced by “History of Independence Day and What It Means Today.”
Councilmember Dan Kalmick told The Orange County Register that some of the proposals aren’t relevant to Huntington Beach, saying, “Revolutionary War? We weren’t even part of the British territory at the time.”
On Friday, December 22, the city appeared to reverse course. The Los Angeles Times reported that Public Affairs Manager Jennifer Carey released the Huntington Beach calendar for the first quarter of 2024, and it includes Black History Month in February and Women’s History Month in March. She explained that the city will acknowledge all of the cultural heritage months it always has and will add new content that will relate to an “overarching, celebratory theme.”
Carey said there was some confusion about the new calendar, but it’s been straightened out. She said her office will work with a committee on the calendars for 2025 and beyond. McKeon said his program was “misinterpreted.” However, Kalmick said he wasn’t buying it. He said the video of the meeting on December 19 was clear. McKeon was asked multiple times if they wouldn’t celebrate those months, and Kalmick said the council would now have to vote on the updated calendar that included Black History Month and the other cultural events “or it’s illegal.”
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