Since Elon Musk's takeover of “X” (formerly Twitter), the platform has become a hub for disinformation, xenophobia, hate speech, and recently, the proliferation of non-consensual AI-generated explicit images of women and children. All of these are incompatible with Palo Alto’s values. Yet, the city still maintains an official account, effectively endorsing these harmful practices. Requiring citizens to use this service for city information contradicts our commitment to respect and inclusivity.

Moreover, its owner, Elon Musk, is actively using it to mislead readers and push unlawful actions against government workers and public assistance programs. Palo Alto’s continued presence on the platform lends credibility and financial support to these efforts.

We urge the Palo Alto City Council to direct all city and departments to stop using “X.” Specifically:

1) Immediately End Use: The official city account must stop activity on the platform.

2) Remove Links: Links and icons for “X” or Twitter must be removed from city websites and communications.

3) Do Not Delete Account: Although this seems counter-intuitive, deleting an “X” account means the username becomes available after 30 days, when other persons or entities could claim it and impersonate the City of Palo Alto.

4) Alternative Communication Platform: Immediately create and maintain an alternative to “X” (for example, Bluesky).

Palo Alto must uphold its principles and cut ties with a platform that spreads harm. We urge the Palo Alto City Council to act now and sever the city's connection to “X.”