A true democracy requires everyone to feel safe and have equitable access to participation. But the actions by some Anchorage elected officials and members of the public and the current structure of public meetings have served to disenfranchise and alienate many. We need swift changes for the sake of our democracy and our community.

As the COVID-19 pandemic forced us to make tough decisions and take responsible actions to protect our community’s health and well-being, an angry mob against these measures has developed in response to their personal needs. Over the past several months, this vocal minority has spilled into all of our public chambers, emboldened by the Bronson administration to disrespect and disrupt the public process, and spread misinformation about the COVID-19 health crisis.

In recent weeks, this group’s racist, homophobic, sexist, anti-Semitic and anti-public health statements and actions have landed us in the national news. This bigotry, coupled with their total lack of regard for health measures, has caused many others, particularly those from marginalized communities, to be reluctant to attend Assembly meetings in person. We have all been told that our government and the public process are about civility and morale. What we see with the Bronson administration is the complete opposite. In fact, it’s almost as if this administration is comfortable with dismantling everything our local government should be.

The current Anchorage Assembly meeting structure and process have contributed to this dynamic. Individuals who arrive at the chambers early but do not follow any rules of decorum nor respect the public process are making hateful statements, verbally attacking Assembly members, confronting security, and dominating public testimony. Those who sign up to testify by phone — because they are rightfully concerned about getting COVID-19 — often have to wait for those in the chambers to testify; some of the in-person testifiers have testified multiple times. People who do not live in the municipality are taking up space testifying on ordinances that do not affect them.

We need this negative behavior and dynamics to come to an end. It’s time to create a culture and environment that is safe, accessible and equitable for all to participate. We ask the Assembly to prohibit the mob-like tactics being implemented by certain members of the public and show zero tolerance for such behavior. We need to actively hold the Bronson administration and other elected leaders accountable who are knowingly filibustering the process, arguing with members of the public, and using other intimidation tactics to suppress the voices of those who disagree with them. We need all elected leaders to understand and follow parliamentary procedure. And we need to make concrete changes to the current meeting structure and process so that the voices of all members of the public can be heard in a respectful and civil manner.

We appreciate the actions of our Assembly members in trying to move our city forward and protect our health. But if we allow the current situation to continue, we will perpetuate the erosion of public trust and civility. Anchorage: We are responsible to each other, and we cannot allow this behavior, this utter lack of decorum, to continue. We deserve better from our leaders and from ourselves.