Man packing gun says he sought to unnerve people; councilor mayor denounce action
Councilor, mayor denounce perceived attempt to intimidate those present
On the same night dozens of people went to City Hall to protest the racist rhetoric of a new political advocacy group, a man associated with the group arrived openly carrying a handgun.
Roger Rael, who said he is considering a run for City Council in District 1 in the March election, said his goal in carrying the gun was to unnerve people at the City Council meeting Wednesday night because he wanted to keep city government “on their toes.”
Councilor Signe Lindell, who is seeking re-election in District 1, said Rael had attempted to intimidate councilors and the public.
“No one questions anyone’s right to bear arms, but I heard from people last night who said they were intimidated and didn’t feel comfortable speaking,” Lindell said Thursday. “To try to silence public discourse, that’s not something we accept.
“It’s not about gun control,” Lindell said. “It’s about bullying and intimidating behavior.”
Mayor Javier Gonzales said the use of firearms “to intimidate anyone — whether councilors or members of the public, has no place here [at City Hall]. We are better than that.”
Open carry of firearms and concealed carry of fire-
arms with permits are lawful in New Mexico. Visitors routinely carry guns into the state Capitol during gun control debates, and there is nothing officials can do to restrict firearms at City Hall. The New Mexico Constitution prohibits municipalities from restricting the right to keep and bear arms.
But the appearance of the gun at the council meeting has escalated the tumult over the startup group called Santa Fe Power, which has become embroiled in controversy over racist imagery posted online by people associated with it.
As many as 50 people appeared at a rally Wednesday evening outside City Hall, organized by a new coalition called Shoulder2Shoulder Santa Fe in opposition to Santa Fe Power.
“We feel morally obligated to take a firm stand against hatemongering in Santa Fe,” Quintan Ana Wikswo, an organizer of Shoulder2Shoulder, told the council. “Divisive, narrow-minded, racist rhetoric escalates quickly to violence, hate crimes and attacks against communities and individuals.”
Santa Fe Power, in a Facebook posting, called the new coalition a “race-baiting group that looks to divide our community.”
“The people that are attacking Santa Fe Power are paid to do it,” the posting said. “Just ignore them and don’t answer them.”
Rael also spoke at the council meeting, but he turned his back on councilors and directed his remarks to the audience. He spoke about the accusations of racism against Santa Fe Power and the need to overcome fear of being called a disparaging name.
“We all share this responsibility here,” he said, referring to the racist imagery posted by people associated with Santa Fe Power. “We all, as a community, should be ashamed of it and stop pointing fingers at one person.”
A pair of city police officers appeared in the chambers shortly after Rael arrived. As Rael spoke, another officer sidled into the room.
Santa Fe Power was started by Gloria Mendoza, a longtime community activist. The group is trying to recruit candidates to run for the council, saying government needs to focus more on the basics like filling potholes and cutting weeds rather than pursuing other issues, such as a ban on traveling animal acts.
Mendoza recently sent a critic of the group an image that likened Democratic U.S. Rep. Maxine Waters of California, who is black, to an orangutan. Mendoza later said it was sent as a joke and apologized. Another member of Santa Fe Power, Nicole Castellano, posted a racist poem about Hispanics on Facebook.
Jim Williamson, a council candidate in District 3 and the only candidate to be associated with Santa Fe Power, has since cut ties with the organization.
Miranda Viscoli of New Mexicans to Prevent Gun Violence said Rael’s appearance with a handgun was a clear attempt to cow city councilors and others.
“Democracy cannot be who has the biggest gun in the room,” Viscoli said. “If we don’t stop allowing these guns into our City Hall and our Capitol building, there’s going to be an accident. … Yes, he’s exercising his constitutional rights for open carry, but to then turn around and face the public, armed and loaded, is questionable behavior.”