BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — After weeks of debate, Bakersfield leaders are hitting the brakes on a proposal that would have made the city a sanctuary city.
The controversial topic of Bakersfield becoming a sanctuary city drew dozens of people into City Hall, pleading their case for and against the move.
But now, the latter is taking a win.
The discussion came to an abrupt end after a last-minute move by Councilmember Zach Bashirtash.
“I just have a quick referral,” Bashirtash said during his turn to speak, “That staff cease to work on any sanctuary city or Truth Act from this moment forward.”
Blue Oak Coffee closing in downtown Bakersfield
His referral was followed by no discussion and no objections.
In previous meetings some councilmembers, including Manpreet Kaur and Andrae Gonzales, voiced support for a sanctuary city. But now, silence.
17 News reached out for comment but did not hear back.
Efforts to make Bakersfield a sanctuary city have come to an end.
“For the city, the staff isn’t going to work on that project anymore – or that topic anymore,” a spokesman for the City of Bakersfield said. “At this point, it’s not on any agendas for consideration either for the council or for any of its committees.”
Conroy said if other council members had a problem with the referral, they could have taken action.
“A councilmember can object to a referral. It doesn’t typically happen. If it did, I believe it would go to a vote after that,” the spokesperson said. “If somebody had said something, nobody asked to comment any further on it. And that referral moved forward.”
Bashirtash said he had multiple reasons for the referral such as the risk of losing federal funding and a greater need to focus on other city issues like public safety and homelessness.
In a statement to 17 News, Bashirtash also acknowledged his constituents.
“I heard from thousands of residents throughout Bakersfield who voiced their opposition to the proposal,” he said. “One of my responsibilities as an elected official is to listen to the people I represent and carefully consider their concerns.”
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