Note: This post was originally published on April 14, 2021. The “Statement & Apology” section at the bottom of the post was added on April 21, 2021.

At the City Council Meeting yesterday, Councilmember Kim presented a resolution to reaffirm Irvine’s opposition to anti-Asian hate, and to bring residents together to support the establishment of a “radically inclusive and tolerant environment.” Councilmember Agran shares this aspiration and the underlying concerns. As he said last night: “We have experienced in this country at the highest levels of government, among the highest of elected officials, the kind of anti-Asian hate speech that has led to, in many cases, hate crimes.”

Though the Councilmember deeply supports the spirit of the resolution and had every intention of supporting it, after discussion, he was not able to vote in favor.

“I fully expected to be voting for this resolution, however, I believe a key section put undue onus on a select group of persecuted people without also calling on the broader community — persecuted and otherwise — to take up the important work of addressing hate crimes against Asian Americans and, more broadly, recognizing and dismantling white supremacy in and beyond our City.”

The section he refers to reads:

“WHEREAS, addressing anti-Asian sentiment requires collaboration with Black, Indigenous, LatinX, Muslim, Arab, and Pacific Islander communities to find long-term solutions to stop systemic racism, xenophobia, and violence in all our communities;”

Councilmember Agran proposed the following revision:

“WHEREAS, addressing anti-Asian sentiment requires collaboration between and among all communities of goodwill to find long-term solutions to stop systemic racism, xenophobia, and violence in all our communities.”

Councilmember Kuo also suggested possibly revising the clause to the effect of “requires collaboration with all communities”.

Councilmember Kim declined making any revisions. The motion passed 4 to 1 with Mayor Khan and Councilmembers Carroll, Kim, and Kuo voting YES and Councilmember Agran voting NO.

Statement & Apology (added April 21, 2021)

A message from Councilmember Larry Agran regarding his April 13th City Council vote on “A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF IRVINE, CALIFORNIA, AGAINST ANTI-ASIAN HATE”:

“At the April 13th Irvine City Council meeting, I voted against Vice Mayor Tammy Kim’s resolution regarding the City’s response to anti-Asian hate. I voted as I did right after my suggestions to make the resolution stronger and more inclusive were not accepted by Vice Mayor Kim.

In hindsight, I should have voted for the resolution as it was — because, at the end of the day, I believe Vice Mayor Kim and I both wanted — and still want — the same thing: We both wanted to adopt a strong resolution condemning the escalating anti-Asian hate and violence we’ve all witnessed over the past year. I know my vote has become a source of distraction, disappointment, and even hurt for many. And for that, I am sorry. I apologize.

I want to reassure those who know me, and those who don’t, that I remain unwavering in my lifelong commitment to do all in my power, in whatever ways I can, in office and out of office, to build here in Irvine and across our country, what Martin Luther King Jr. called the beloved community — a society free of hate, free of violence, and free at last of any notions or vestiges of white supremacy.”

These remarks were originally delivered at the April 18, 2021 meeting of the Democrats of Greater Irvine and can be viewed at: https://youtu.be/lZSGs9RDYWQ?t=736.