Peaceful Vigil, Noisy Protest, Greet ‘State of City’ Address

Two demonstrations, one peaceful and one noisy, dogged Mayor Terry Tornek’s “State of the City” speech at John Marshall Fundamental School Tuesday evening.

The first, just outside the gym entrance, was organized by a group called “Pasadenans and Altadenans Against Police Violence.” Members of the group held candles and signs remembering recent victims of police confrontations.

Organizer Melissa Michelsen told Pasadena Now, “We’ve had enough of police violence in Pasadena. We’re a group of Pasadenans and Altadenans, and we wanted to provide a safe space for people who have had experiences being harassed or brutalized by the Pasadena Police.”

Michelsen said that the protest was sparked by the recent confrontation between Altadena resident Chris Ballew, 21, and Pasadena Police in Altadena on November 9.

In that incident, Ballew suffered a broken leg and a bloodied forehead during a traffic stop which escalated into a violent arrest. The Los Angeles County District Attorney declined to file any charges against Ballew, who is now pursuing legal action against Pasadena.

“We’ve had way too many, and that’s got to be the last one,” said Michelsen.

Later, during Tornek’s speech, Black Lives Matter Pasadena activist Jasmine Abdullah Richards stood with two others holding signs and shouted at Mayor Tornek about the Ballew incident. Tornek responded that he would be happy to answer any questions following his speech, but that should the shouting and disturbance persist, Richards would be arrested and jailed. A number of attendees also shouted at Richards to stop her protest.

Richards eventually left the gymnasium.

Following Mayor Tornek’s speech, local civil rights attorney Dale Gronemeier said that the mayor was “tone-deaf” in not acknowledging the ongoing police controversy.

Said Gronemeier, “I think he ignored the controversy until he was asked about it. It’s not smart to ask for a sales tax measure, while you ignore the elephant in the room.”

Asked about the police controversy in the Q&A following his speech, Tornek said that he and the City Council have been “actively discussing the situation,” and are very much aware of it.” Tornek also said that the City will be considering a review and change in police training and policy.

“You will see substantial discussion and substantial changes,” said Mayor Tornek. “There is room for improvement.”