The Santa Ana City Council deadlocked on an emergency ordinance that would have required activists protesting at private residences to stay 300 feet away from the targeted home.

It would have taken a two-thirds majority vote of the council Tuesday night to adopt the restrictions as an urgency measure. Councilmember Thai Viet Phan had to leave the meeting earlier and the remaining councilmembers spilt 3-3, with those opposed saying while they didn’t support the disruption of neighbors’ lives, the right to protest and be heard is fundamental.

For months, community members have been calling on local leaders to take stands in the Israel-Hamas war. For the past few weeks, a group of pro-Palestinian activists have been going to U.S. Rep. Lou Correa’s home in Santa Ana asking that he call for a permanent ceasefire in the ongoing conflict. The proposed urgency ordinance referenced protesting that has targeted Correa’s home among examples of what would be addressed by enforcing a 300-foot distance requirement.

But City Attorney Sonia Carvalho emphasized that the ordinance was drafted by staff, not by any members of the City Council or by direction of Correa. Staff found that sections of the already-existing ordinance needed to be updated after being asked about the rules, she said.

Carvalho emphasized she could say “unequivocally” that the item was not brought forward with the intention to contest anyone’s First Amendment right. She also pointed to other cities including San Diego, El Monte, Fontana and Rancho Palos Verdes have adopted the very same distance requirements.

In a letter to the City Council, Correa urged the board to approve the ordinance to protect his neighbors and family.

“Recently, demonstrators have come to my home as early as 6:30 a.m. on weekends and 9 p.m. on weekdays with bullhorns and sirens,” Correa said in the letter. “While demonstrators claim to be civil and peaceful, the reality is much different. Many of my neighbors have shared with me their anger and distress because of these demonstrations.”

Some Pro-Palestine activists have said it has been impossible to meet with the congressman and their correspondence has mostly gone unanswered. Correa said he and his staff, on multiple occasions, have met with individuals and groups on this issue.

“As an elected official, I understand the importance of public activism and have personally participated in many movements. I also know that part of my job includes listening to those who might disagree with me on policy,” Correa said. “I have made a career standing up for our community, even when my decisions were not universally popular. However, I do not believe there is a place for taunts, personal insults, and other targeted aggression, including toward my staff or the complete disregard for the privacy of our neighbors.”

Several residents who live in the same neighborhood as Correa said Tuesday night that they support freedom of speech, but do not support activists affecting the peace in their residential area.

“My quarrel is not with the message, but the mode in which it is being delivered and understandably wanting to protest the horrific atrocities travesties that are going on in Palestine and Israel. I understand the need,” one resident said during public comment. “But what I don’t agree with is punishing those who have nothing to do with the signing of a piece of legislation, the signing of a policy.”

Several Pro-Palestine activists Tuesday night said they have tried other ways to get their point across to local leaders, including writing letters, calling representative’s offices, going to public events, but they say those methods have not been getting through to public officials.

Earlier this month a divided Santa Ana City Council became the first city in Orange County to pass a resolution calling for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war, as well as for the release of Israeli hostages, and saying the city recognizes a free Palestinian state and Israel’s right to exist.

Randa Sweiss, a Palestinian resident of Orange County, said being back Tuesday night to speak against an ordinance intended to silence protestors was demoralizing and disappointing. Sweiss said despite several instances of people antagonizing protestors, the group has always been peaceful while demonstrating in front of Correa’s home.

“We’re watching our people get slaughtered; 15 of my family members were slaughtered,” Sweiss said. “When things are said that are so unbearable to hear, it takes a lot of patience for us to keep our composure, but we do because we know that we’re representing the people over there and we want to do right by them as well. And also, that’s just how we are. We’re not aggressive.”

During public comment, several speakers, including Sweiss, said the ordinance, if passed, would not stop them from protesting.

“We won’t be silenced. We’ve been silenced for 75-plus years. And we refuse to continue to be silenced,” Sweiss said. “We’ll find a way around it. We will get creative. We will continually find peaceful ways to protest and get our point across. No justice, no peace.”

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