{"id":7393,"date":"2026-06-16T20:31:42","date_gmt":"2026-06-16T20:31:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sandiegorelocationnews.com\/index.php\/2026\/06\/16\/avenal-officials-condemn-threats-and-racist-remarks-after-recall\/"},"modified":"2026-06-16T20:31:42","modified_gmt":"2026-06-16T20:31:42","slug":"avenal-officials-condemn-threats-and-racist-remarks-after-recall","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sandiegorelocationnews.com\/index.php\/2026\/06\/16\/avenal-officials-condemn-threats-and-racist-remarks-after-recall\/","title":{"rendered":"Avenal officials condemn threats and racist remarks after recall"},"content":{"rendered":"
AVENAL<\/span><\/p>\n

The city of Avenal is condemning threats, racism and intimidation following tensions that arose during Thursday\u2019s City Council meeting, when racial slurs were hurled during public comment.<\/p>\n

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The city shared Saturday evening a public statement on its Facebook page condemning \u201cthreats of violence, intimidations, racist remarks and disparaging comments directed at public officials, city staff or members of the community.\u201d<\/p>\n

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The city\u2019s statement was posted two days after tensions arose over the Avenal recall controversy at the city\u2019s June 11 council meeting. That night, three of the four recalled council members voted to stay in office, refusing to accept the April 28 special recall election results.<\/p>\n

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At the same meeting, community members served city leaders with a civil restraining order. Residents on both sides of recall issue packed the meeting. Many felt the meeting was not legitimate.<\/p>\n

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One of the videos circulating online shows Avenal resident Keith Jackson saying to Deputy City Clerk Karla Curiel, \u201cMrs. Curiel, we want to continue this meeting, go ahead, because they don\u2019t make your mom\u2019s green enchiladas in jail. … Maybe you can help them give them the recipe.\u201d<\/p>\n

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\u201cThat was very inappropriate,\u201d Mayor Pro Tem and recalled Councilmember Leticia Gamez said from the dais in response to Jackson\u2019s \u201cgreen enchiladas\u201d comment.<\/p>\n

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The City Council members and city staff who were present at June 11 meeting are Latino.<\/p>\n

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Another video shows Avenal resident Thomas Chastine making burrito remarks and questioning whether someone on the dais understands English.<\/p>\n

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\u201cI know my constitutional rights, and you can\u2019t tell me anything, \u2018cause you are not the mayor. Do you understand that part? Or you need somebody to translate for you into Spanish, so you understand,\u201d Chastine said to an unspecified council member.<\/p>\n

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. After making a comment about the burritos in prison or jail, he added, \u201cDon\u2019t worry, somebody will teach you. Because you guys need to learn the hard way.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Many on social media considered Chastine\u2019s and Jackson\u2019s comments disrespectful, inappropriate, out of line and racially insensitive, while others considered them freedom of speech.<\/p>\n

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The city statement also condemns \u201cincreasing hostile rhetoric\u201d that has originated from a private Facebook group (Concerned Citizens of Avenal) that has become \u201ca platform for personal attacks, defamatory accusations, hateful commentary and targeted harassment.\u201d<\/p>\n

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