‘I Was Insulted’ – Tod Hallman Disappointed by Juneteenth Event in West Hollywood

During the public comments portion of a Regular West Hollywood Council Meeting on Monday, June 26, 2023, Public Safety Commission Chair Tod Hallman expressed disappointment over this year’s Juneteenth Celebration that the city hosted on Friday, June 16.

The flag-raising event was hosted by council member Lauren Meister. The rest of the council was noticeably absent. There were roughly 20 people in attendance, most of them City staff, and it did not take place on June 19th like it did last year. It was hosted on the later part of the day, at 5pm on a Friday evening.

“Last year, I thought we did a beautiful job,” said Hallman. “I was a proud queer Black resident to speak at last year’s ceremony. This year, to say it paled in comparison is nothing… to say we did a terrible job is an understatement. I was insulted. I was embarrassed. And I was offended. However, moving forward, I think we can learn and do better. I would like to propose that next year, council enacts a host committee that can work in conjunction with staff to help plan this event. We need more people of color involved. This is important to me. I want to this to be a success and I hope you’ll consider my recommendation.”

Hallman thanked council member Lauren Meister for being the only council member in attendance at the ceremony. He then called out the other council for having other commitments that day. He also said he wished City Manager David Wilson had been in attendance.

Wilson informed the community during his Manager’s Report that the Social Justice Advisory Board will be part of planning and promoting the Juneteenth event next year. The Advisory Board has not been established yet, so that’s why they were not involved this year.

Each year, the City of West Hollywood commemorates and honors the historical significance of Juneteenth, which is also called Emancipation Day, Jubilee Day, Freedom Day, and Black Independence Day and is recognized on June 19 of each year. This marks the date when some of the last enslaved people in the Confederacy were notified of their freedom on June 19, 1865. Juneteenth is recognized annually to commemorate the ending of slavery in the United States and represents a special day of reflection.