The City acknowledges how its actions negatively impacted the fasting community members at the March 12^th City Council meeting and apologizes for the hurt that the actions have caused. We reject Islamophobia and all forms of discrimination in the strongest of terms. It has no place in San Bruno or anywhere else.

The day prior to March 12th, a request was made asking the City to set aside space in the Senior Center for members of the public who wanted to attend the meeting and have room to break their fast and pray, as it was the month of Ramadan. City staff attempted to accommodate the request, setting up tents and chairs outside the Senior Center. However, community members did not feel comfortable or accommodated, and the City acknowledges their hurt. We recognize that the Senior Center lobby has been previously used as a space to congregate and eat for receptions, and the outside area along Crystal Springs Avenue was cold and unsuitable.

Each City Councilmember and the Mayor subsequently made statements clarifying previous actions taken, including a posting on the City’s website that while well intended, came across as tone deaf. It was insensitive and insufficient, and we took it down. 

The City’s intentions were not meant to be disrespectful, but we understand and acknowledge that these decisions failed to respond appropriately to community members' needs. Moving forward, the City is committed to looking for ways to balance between implementing city policy and being more inclusive.

We have had the opportunity to sit down, learn, and listen to the hurt community members felt and expressed, and we hope we’ve found common ground to move forward in unity.