Santa Barbara erupts over terrifying guillotine sign displayed at City Hall

A protester at Tuesday night’s Santa Barbara City Council meeting on rent stabilization held up a controversial sign that insinuated they wanted to behead the political leaders.

The sign read, “Your term ends when we say so!” and featured a guillotine alongside elephant and donkey symbols representing Republicans and Democrats.

The meeting, largely attended by tenant advocates, was also marked by hours of jeering, heckling and berating of councilmembers, City Administrator Kelly McAdoo and other city officials, according to Edhat Santa Barbara.

Santa Barbara councilmembers reacted with the local media to the off-with-their-heads sign from the packed meeting.

There are seven members on the Santa Barbara City Council, including six district councilmembers and the mayor. Eric Friedman, who is running for mayor, said that kind of sign was “not acceptable.”

“In a time when elected officials have faced threats, violence and even been killed, everyone should take time to think about the potential ramifications of their actions,” Friedman said.

Mayor Randy Rowse, who was the target of much of the aggressive behavior during the meeting, said he “100 percent” disapproves of the sign.

“That kind of directed violent imagery tests the boundaries of free speech,” he said. “I assume the elephants on the picture indicate Republicans and perhaps it was directed at me. Too bad I’ve never been a Republican.”

Meanwhile, Meagan Harmon also said the menacing sign was “clearly unacceptable.” “I guess the First Amendment says it’s okay, but like, does anyone say it’s a good thing?” she said.

Mike Jordan said he regretted not speaking out against the sign during the meeting.

“I’m extremely sorry, looking back, that I didn’t just pop off about that, and the loud personal verbal attack on [McAdoo] and staff. … I’m pretty much done politely dealing with immature [people] who think part of advocacy or discussion is jeering, attempting to intimidate, and generally acting like spoiled toddlers,” he said.

Oscar Gutierrez also said the sign was unacceptable, calling it “rage bait,” but defended free speech rights.

He said he plans to “voice my disapproval” to those behind it and “ask the city attorney if we can limit signs at the public comment podium.”

Meanwhile, Councilmember Wendy Santamaria, who supports rent control, did not respond to questions about the offensive sign. Councilmember Kristen Sneddon also did not respond to requests for comment.

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