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Headshot of Matt Rodriguez surrounded by screenshots of emails in which he refers to Stop Cop Campus protestors as "extremists," "outsiders," and similar.

San Pablo City Manager Matt Rodriguez Spreads Misinformation About Stop Cop Campus Activists

City Manager Matt Rodriguez has used inflammatory language to describe local activists in the Stop Cop Campus movement, labeling them as "outsiders" and "extremists." This rhetoric has influenced city officials' perceptions and actions, undermining community trust and silencing dissent.

Public RecordsCity ManagerCop CampusOutside Agitators

Published on October 21, 2024 at 2:00 AM UTC

Graphics

Page 1: In the background is the San Pablo welcome arch. In the foreground is a headshot of Matt Rodriguez and a screenshot that reads "Sincerely, Matt Rodriguez, City Manager." Overlayed text reads "San Pablo City Manager Matt Rodriguez Spreads Misinformation About Stop Cop Campus Activists, Labeling Us 'Outsiders' & 'Extremists'"Page 2: Four screenshots from emails read: 1. "these are all outside extremists coming from Oakland and Berkeley"; 2. "Each time these extremists come into our City to protest, they graffiti public buildings, our sidewalks and public property costing thousands of public tax dollars to clean up. These are extremists with a national agenda are now conflating with other Richmond based local groups AND Pro-Palestine/Gaza groups to join their cause. In fact, this past Sunday, 01/28/24, both STOP COP CITY extremists and Pro-Palestine/Gaza supporters joined forces to protest and deface public "; 3. "The most important thing is the face to face contacts that SPPD is making directly with our SP businesses to ensure they are supported by PD, and not outsiders with an extremist agenda."; 4. "The protest in San Pablo this afternoon was a scheduled protest activity from anti-police extremist groups coming into San Pablo from Oakland and Berkeley areas. They do not represent local community interests despite extensive community support for the City's project and ongoing community policing engagement practices in our community." Overlayed text reads: "Public records obtained through a request from the city show that Rodriguez sent multiple emails and texts between September 2023 and June 2024 referring to people associated with the Stop Cop Campus movement as 'outsiders' and 'extremists.'"Page 3: Email reading: " From: Matt Rodriguez <MattR@sanpabloca.gov> Sent: Sunday, May 19, 2024 12:48 PM To: Everyone < Everyone@sanpabloca.gov> Subject: STOP COP CITY PROTESTOR EVENT AT CITY COUNCIL MEETING AT 5:00P.M. TOMORROW TO: ALL CITY EMPLOYEES From: Matt Rodriguez, City Manager Re: STOP COP CITY PROTESTOR EVENT AT CITY COUNCIL MEETING AT 5:00P.M. TOMORROW **CITY EMPLOYEE SAFETY ADVISORY** Please be advised that STOP COP CITY extremists are scheduling a protest activity on Monday, May 20, 2024 at 5:00p.m. BEFORE and DURING the scheduled City Council meeting tomorrow night. All City Hall employees, in an abundance of caution, should leave the City Hall facility at the SOUTH ENTRANCE/EXIT DOORS to the employee parking area at end of business day tomorrow. AS A SUGGESTION, FOR YOUR OWN SAFETY, CITY HALL EMPLOYEES SHOULD NOT COME IN CONTACT WITH ANY PROTESTORS IN FRONT OF CITY HALL OR IN LOBBY AREA. Department Directors will have certain limited, discretion on managing the work release times for designated City staff in their respective Departments tomorrow. Chief Bubar and PD staff will be closely monitoring this protest activity tomorrow." Overlayed text reads "These messages were sent to a range of influential figures, including City Councilmembers, the Chief of Police, media representatives, and the county's Chief of Staff and District Supervisor. One was also sent to every employee of the city."Page 4: Digital drawing of the outline of Cop Campus with the words "Stop Cop Campus" above and "San Pablo, CA, East Bay Area, and Huichin-Ohlone Land" below. Overlayed text reads: "Rodriguez's choice of words is particularly troubling given the context of the Stop Cop Campus movement, which was founded by residents of San Pablo. The group has been organizing against the construction of the $45 million police headquarters and regional training facility known as Cop Campus."Page 5: "This movement has been led by residents and Indigenous people who are deeply connected to the land and the community. By labeling these activists as "outsiders" and "extremists," Rodriguez is not only spreading misinformation but also attempting to delegitimize a grassroots movement that is rooted in the community’s needs and desires. This is the same tactic used across U.S. history in response to social uprisings since the Civil Rights Movement."Page 6: Email reading: "From: Matt Rodriguez <MattR@sanpabloca.gov> Sent: Saturday, September 30, 2023 5:53:09 PM To: August, Shane <saaugust@cbs.com> Subject: RE: KPIX 5 Seeking Statement from City on New Police HQ and Pushback Attachments: PROJECT FACT SHEET SUMMARY FOR PD HQ PROJECT- FINAL 092423 V.B.pdf Mr. August: Please see attached PROJECT FACT SHEET on the City's project. This provides an complete overview of the City's Police Department HQ Project (See attached) The protest in San Pablo this afternoon was a scheduled protest activity from anti-police extremist groups coming into San Pablo from Oakland and Berkeley areas. They do not represent local community interests despite extensive community support for the City's project and ongoing community policing engagement practices in our community. After their constitutional-protected freedom of speech demonstration and march this afternoon, the protestors proceeded to the City's project site and vandalized the project site by pushing over the security fencing and tagging the project signs at this location before leaving the area. San Pablo Police Department monitored the protest activity and reported no other incidents. The City has no further comment on this event this afternoon. Sincerely, Matt Rodriguez, City Manager" Overlayed text reads: "This attempt to frame activists in a negative light suggests a deliberate strategy to marginalize opposition to Cop Campus. Using defamatory language to manipulate media coverage and public opinion is a blatant misuse of power and an attack on the integrity of grassroots organizing."Page 7: Text stream reading: "Arturo Cruz We all know that our residents support this project and that is what is most important, and these outsider are just criminals that have nothing better to do than try to disturb our peace There's nothing that can or will stop this project from being completed, and until then, we just have to stay professional and focused on what is best for our residents and businesses. We are San Pablo Somos San Pablo!" Overlayed text reads: "Rodriguez’s rhetoric has influenced how City Councilmembers, SPPD, and other officials perceive and interact with people they assume to be associated with Stop Cop Campus. Councilmembers have echoed similar language in public statements and private messages."Page 8: Text stream reading: " Matt Rodriguez City Council: We are monitoring the scheduled Town Hall this Thursday, 5/16 at Shoreline Park. We will see if this results in any caravans to SP to protest at our project site. Meanwhile, PD is conducting outreach to businesses about these signs to provide support and to clarify these lies being spun by these protestors. Arturo Cruz Thank you Matt! Much appreciated My main concern is them disturbing the peace and vandalism in our city. Bunch of criminals are what they are. I have faith in our PD to be professional and use their training accordingly A GOD bless our city and I. AMEN Rita Xavier Absolutely disgusting. They are targeting a vulnerable group of people, fearmongering, etc. I am extremely concerned. Councilwoman Elizabeth Pabon-Alvarado I'm concerned as well. These people want to give cover to criminals instead of law-abiding citizens so frustrating. Lets Imagine what it would be like if these activists cared this much about fentynal being pushed on our children, sex trafficking, domestic violence, homelessness, theft, and all of these acts against the innocent. This would actually be a better place, but they don't say anything about what THEY should be doing." Overlayed text reads: "Instead of listening to resident concerns, they’ve been surveilling Stop Cop Campus events, spreading misinformation to San Pablo businesses, and making biased remarks against protestors. It's because of the outside extremist label that the city is able to justify dismissing activists' concerns and treating us as threats to the city."Page 10: "Attempting to dismiss our concerns as illegitimate only exposes the city's unwillingness to engage with those it claims to serve. This dynamic undermines the community's efforts to assert their collective voice and disrupts the solidarity among residents working for change. When local leaders mischaracterize community members as dangerous radicals, they create an environment where dissent is met with hostility rather than dialogue."Page 11: "We demand accountability from San Pablo's leadership. City Manager Matt Rodriguez must publicly apologize for his defamation of local activists. The City Council must also take responsibility for allowing this rhetoric to shape their views and actions toward the Stop Cop Campus movement."Page 12: "The actions of the City Manager and the pattern of dismissing community concerns highlight the urgent need for a shift in how San Pablo's leadership relates to its residents. This isn't just about correcting the narrative—it's about ensuring that residents share power in making decisions for our community."Page 13: "Read the full article at theinsideagitator.com/articles/cop-campus-outside-extremists. Connect with us on these platforms. Instagram/Threads: @theinsideagitator; Website: theinsideagitator.com; Email: contact@theinsideagitator.com. The Inside Agitator is a media platform and social justice collective that seeks to disrupt oppressive systems and mobilize for liberatory change in our communities."Page 14: "Sources: 1. Cop Campus Protestors - San Pablo Public Records. September 17, 2024. https://drive.proton.me/urls/TS5A9DSD9C#DxQyV17yvSG7. 2. City of San Pablo. “Active & Proposed Capital Projects for FY 2024-26.” April 29, 2024. https://sanpablo.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=F&ID=12955011&GUID=1C50C229-797F- 4638-B391-49470D499470."

San Pablo City Manager Matt Rodriguez has been using inflammatory language to describe local protestors in private communications, revealing a troubling pattern of misinformation aimed at discrediting community activists. Public records obtained through a request from the city show that Rodriguez sent multiple emails and texts between September 2023 and June 2024 referring to people associated with the Stop Cop Campus movement as "outsiders" and "extremists." 1

These messages were sent to a range of influential figures, including City Councilmembers, the Chief of Police, media representatives, and the county's Chief of Staff and District Supervisor. One was also sent to every employee of the city.


Mischaracterizing the Movement

Rodriguez's choice of words is particularly troubling given the context of the Stop Cop Campus movement, which was founded by residents of San Pablo. The group has been organizing against the construction of the $45 million2 police headquarters and training facility known as Cop Campus.

This movement has been led by residents and Indigenous people who are deeply connected to the land and the community. By labeling these activists as "outsiders" and "extremists," Rodriguez is not only spreading misinformation but also attempting to delegitimize a grassroots movement that is rooted in the community’s needs and desires. This is the same tactic used across U.S. history in response to social uprisings since the Civil Rights Movement.

This attempt to frame activists in a negative light suggests a deliberate strategy to marginalize opposition to Cop Campus. Using defamatory language to manipulate media coverage and public opinion is a blatant misuse of power and an attack on the integrity of grassroots organizing.

Undermining Community Trust and Autonomy

Rodriguez’s rhetoric has influenced how City Councilmembers, SPPD, and other officials perceive and interact with people they assume to be associated with Stop Cop Campus. Councilmembers have echoed similar language in public statements and private messages.

Instead of listening to resident concerns, they’ve been surveilling Stop Cop Campus events, spreading misinformation to San Pablo businesses, and making biased remarks against protestors. It's because of the outside extremist label that the city is able to justify dismissing activists' concerns and treating them as threats to the city.

Prior to the May 20, 2024 rally at City Hall, Rodriguez warned City Councilmembers to arrive early, instructing them to refrain from reacting to comments and just "send them on their way." This message also reveals that the 1 minute limit on public comments (usually 3 minutes) was established in direct response to the protest. He stated that the restriction is "due to magnitude of speakers" despite the number of comments being unknown until just before the meeting.

Attempting to dismiss our concerns as illegitimate only exposes the city’s unwillingness to engage with those it claims to serve. This dynamic undermines the community’s efforts to assert their collective voice and disrupts the solidarity among residents working for change.

When local leaders mischaracterize community members as dangerous radicals, they create an environment where dissent is met with hostility rather than dialogue.

A Call for Accountability

We demand accountability from San Pablo’s leadership. City Manager Matt Rodriguez must publicly apologize for his defamation of local activists. The City Council must also take responsibility for allowing this rhetoric to shape their views and actions toward the Stop Cop Campus movement.

The actions of the City Manager and the pattern of dismissing community concerns highlight the urgent need for a shift in how San Pablo’s leadership relates to its residents. This isn’t just about correcting the narrative—it’s about ensuring that residents share power in making decisions for our community.

Sources

  1. "Cop Campus Protestors - San Pablo Public Records." September 17, 2024.

  2. City of San Pablo. "Active & Proposed Capital Projects for FY 2024-26." April 29, 2024.

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