Civilian Police Board member who criticized police removed

A Columbus Civilian Police Review Board member who called police “oppressors” and used anti-police rhetoric in social media posts in December was officially removed from the board Monday.

The removal of Gambit S. Aragon III was effective immediately after the City Council on Monday concurred with Mayor Andrew Ginther’s decision to remove Aragon. His removal had been requested by an overwhelming majority of the board.

Aragon made posts critical of city police on social media after the Ohio Proud Boys and others staged an armed protest along North High Street outside a Clintonville church over a planned holiday drag queen storytime event Dec. 3 that was ultimately canceled over internal disagreements about how to handle security for the event.

Brian Shinn, deputy chief of staff for city attorney Zach Klein, reviewed the procedural history during Monday night’s council meeting.

On Dec. 19, there was a special meeting where the Civilian Police Review Board voted 8-1 to recommend the removal of Aragon for “negligent duty” based on his comments on social media as well as during the board’s regular meeting Dec. 6. Board members were concerned that Aragon, who indicated in his application to be on the board that he could be unbiased in addressing complaints about alleged police misconduct which come before the board, had shown through his posts and comments that he did have a bias against police.

On Dec. 22, Shinn said, Review Board chair Janet Jackson sent a memorandum to Mayor Ginther informing him of the board’s vote to recommend the removal of Aragon.

Ginther sent a letter to Aragon on Jan. 4 informing him of the mayor’s intent to remove him from the board and letting Aragon know he could request to have a hearing before city council before Jan. 20, but Aragon never contacted the mayor’s office, Shinn said.

“Because he did not request a meeting, the only matter before council this evening is the question of whether council concurs with the mayor’s removal of board member Aragon,” Shinn said. “Which is a procedural matter and not a substantive inquiry into the underlying charges.”

What did Aragon write on social media?

Aragon, who identifies as a member of the gay community, said in a Facebook post that he was one of the people who planned to provide volunteer security at the “Holi-drag” event. He criticized the drag performers for wanting Columbus police there for security.

“I am a proud member of the Community Safety and Security team for this event,” Aragon’s Facebook post began. “We protect our people cause (sic) they don’t give a (expletive) about us (CPD, city council and the Majors (sic) office).”

The post went on to say that the community should “be proud of our efforts even if the performers sided with the oppressors in the end.”

“Shame on these queens,” Aragon wrote. “They secretly hired a security team unbeknownst to the church or our leadership. The security company has ties and contracts with (Columbus police division) and ICE (Immigrations and Customs Enforcement). In the end, they threw a tantrum cause (sic) they didn’t get their way.”

On his Twitter account, which is still posted as of Monday night, he used anti-police rhetoric and stated that Columbus police were “Not here for us.” His tweet also showed photographs that appear to show police officers speaking with members of the Ohio Proud Boys.

Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther publicly called for Aragon’s resignation days after the social media posts.

Review board members are appointed for three-year terms by either Ginther or City Council and have to be approved by a majority City Council vote. mhenry@dispatch.com @megankhenry