City of Bend reacts to racist ‘Zoombombing’ of Human Rights & Equity Commission meeting, seeks to avoid repeat
(Update: City issues statement)
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) – The city of Bend expressed dismay Thursday at a spate of racist comments voiced by anonymous online visitors to a meeting of the city’s Human Rights & Equity Commission and said they will look for ways to allow public input “in a meaningful and constructive way.”
Wednesday's routine monthly meeting of Bend's Human Rights & Equity Commission turned ugly when several people "Zoombombed" during the public comment session, repeatedly spouting extremely racist language. Similar situations have occurred across the country, forcing some cities to ban remote public comment.
“The commenters presented an attack on basic concepts of equity and inclusion, denigrated people of color and Jewish people, and clearly intended to cause chaos and disruption,” the statement read in part (the full statement is below.).
It wasn't the first time people have phoned in and hurled racial language during HREC meetings, but commissioners hope to make it the last.
During the public comment session, several people anonymously phoned in and screamed racist language targeting minorities and Jewish people. It left many in tears and derailed the meeting, as many needed to reflect on what had just occurred.
The troubling trend is also known as "Zoombombing" and usually occurs during public comment sessions. It's forced some cities in the Bay Area to ban remote comment after it became a persistent issue.
