Like many in our community, Better Boulder has been searching for the right words to respond to the recent attack. We have joined with other local organizations in signing the Boulder Community Statement, and we also wish to share our own message below.
Better Boulder is deeply concerned about the behavior that has disrupted City Council meetings for the past 20 months. Comments routinely exceed time limits and escalate into protests that force Council members into recess, leaving city staff and the public exposed to a toxic environment that undermines everyone’s fundamental right to engage with elected representatives.
City staff members are forced to endure this hostile atmosphere simply to perform their professional duties, while all attendees—elected officials, staff, and community members—deserve to feel safe exercising their Constitutional rights to assemble and speak peacefully at public meetings.
As violence and hate speech escalate nationwide, our city government must move beyond condemning acts after they occur to actively confronting the divisive rhetoric that creates fertile ground for violence in our community. The time has come to restore civility to City Council chambers and rebuild a functional democratic process that serves everyone.
Better Boulder respectfully asks City Council to develop comprehensive guidelines, or enforce existing ones, that balance First Amendment protections with essential requirements for order and safety. These guidelines should clearly specify the actions officials will take to address threats and disruptions, including the authority to remove individuals who exceed allotted comment time or engage in coordinated chanting that prevents others from being heard.
Such measures seek not to silence voices but to ensure equal participation in democratic processes. A well-functioning democracy depends on safe spaces where diverse viewpoints can be expressed respectfully and constructive dialogue can flourish. Establishing clear, fair boundaries preserves the fundamental right to public participation while maintaining the decorum essential for effective governance and meaningful community engagement.