San Jose to require proof of full vaccination at events held at city-owned facilities.
Maskless demonstrators denounce city’s proposed vaccination mandate
In a chaotic scene that forced San Jose City Council members to temporarily evacuate the chambers, dozens of unmasked protesters stormed the council meeting Aug. 24 to denounce a proposed vaccination mandate.
Despite the fierce opposition, Mayor Sam Liccardo said during a dinner break from the long meeting that the mandate is “the right thing to do.” The council had not yet voted by then because dozens of people still were scheduled to comment.
“I appreciate the frustration, but that shouldn’t change our fundamental posture, which is we’ve got to follow the data, we’ve got to follow the science and make the best decisions, to protect our residents” he added.
Liccardo announced a plan last week to require attendees and staff of events with 50 or more people held at city facilities, such as the SAP Center, Convention Center and Center for Performing Arts, to show proof they’re fully vaccinated before entering. A negative COVID-19 test would not get them in.
The council was scheduled to vote on the mayor’s proposal in the afternoon when a group of unmasked residents, including Calvary Chapel Pastor Mike McClure, poured into the council chambers. Throughout the pandemic, Calvary Chapel has racked up nearly $4 million in fines from Santa Clara County for defying public health orders and holding large maskless inperson services.
Although some of the protesters eventually put on masks at Liccardo’s persistent requests, others refused and shouted profanities like “you’re a (expletive) fool.” Many held American flags or hand-crafted signs with slogans like “Our body, our choice,” “No forced shots” and “Individual rights are at stake.”
Police officers escorted the crowd out and locked the council chambers. No arrests were made. After a short recess, the officers agreed to let about two dozen people back inside to speak at the meeting — but only if they agreed to put on masks.
The remaining 100 or so protesters gathered outside of San Jose City Hall along Santa Clara Street, chanting and waving signs.
Anne Stenehjem, 59, of San Jose, a protester who arrived at City Hall after the doors were closed, said she believed the mandate was “illegal and unconstitutional.” Stenehjem, who has not been vaccinated, contracted COVID-19 earlier this year and felt she did not need to get the vaccine because she had antibodies.
“I just think it’s tyranny that we’re being forced to take something into our bodies,” she said.
A study published earlier this month by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that unvaccinated people who got COVID-19 were still more than twice as likely to get the virus again as someone who is fully vaccinated.
Wendy, 71, of San Jose, who would not give her last name, was inside the chambers when the ruckus broke out. She said she put on her mask when asked because she wanted to stay and voice her opposition.
Wendy said she would never get the vaccine because she was worried it would “damage her body.”
“If they do this, then the next step will be private property, so you wouldn’t be able to go to grocery stores, churches, malls,” she said. The city has not proposed to require vaccination proof at such facilities.
During hours of public comment, opponents of the vaccination mandate at city facilities repeatedly threatened to start a recall effort against any council member who votes for it. Some accused them of “coercion” and “committing a crime.”
Here is what you need to know about the city’s proposal to require proof of vaccination at city-owned facilities.
Where would you need to show vaccine proof?
Anyone attending an event of 50 or more people at a city-owned facility would need to show proof of full vaccination.
The city-owned facilities where this mandate would apply include:
• SAP Center
• San Jose McEnery Convention
Center
• San Jose Civic
• Center for Performing Arts
• California Theatre
• Montgomery Theater
• Hammer Theater
• San Jose Museum of Art
• The Tech Interactive
• Mexican Heritage Plaza
When would this requirement take effect?
It’s unclear at this time.
The city would provide facility operators like Team San Jose and Sharks Sports and Entertainment with “sufficient time” to secure equipment to implement the mandate and notify event organizers and promoters.
Why is the city considering a mandate?
Due to a recent spike in COVID-19 cases fueled by the delta variant, public entities and private employers are turning to vaccination mandates as a way to protect their employees and curb the spread of the virus.
Santa Clara County has one of the highest vaccination rates in the country. As of Tuesday, nearly 81% of eligible residents are fully vaccinated, according to county figures. But city leaders worry that large events like those at the SAP Center and Convention Center can attract crowds from all over the state and nation, including places with lower vaccination rates, which could put residents here in jeopardy of contracting COVID-19.
As of Tuesday, Santa Clara County is reporting an average of 347 new COVID-19 cases per day, up from an average of 143 daily cases a month ago. The case rate in unvaccinated people is triple that of vaccinated residents, according to county data.