Carpinteria Vice Mayor sits during Pledge of Allegiance again
Tracy Lehr
CARPINTERIA, Calif. – Carpinteria Vice Mayor Mónica Solórzano stood for staff recognition presentations but remained seated during the Pledge of Allegiance for the second City Council meeting in a row.
“It is unfortunate that this conversation has boiled down to whether I’m sitting or standing, rather than focusing on the policies that are impacting so many people in Carpinteria, in California, and across the nation,” Solórzano said. “That’s the basis behind what I’m doing. I want to be visible as a resource for people who need someone on their side, looking out for them.”
The Vice Mayor, a longtime UC Santa Barbara policy analyst and homeowner in the city’s First District, received both support and criticism during the meeting and on social media.
Members of the Carpinteria Valley Republican Club publicly opposed her decision to sit during the Pledge.
Allen Braithwaite voiced concerns about undocumented workers and recent protests.
“Ms. Solórzano, you might wish to consider a broader perspective on our broken immigration system,” Braithwaite said. “Review who is actually responsible for recent violence in the streets, seek reconciliation, and engage with a deeper insight. Perhaps then, even those who didn’t vote for you might reconsider.”
Delice Feller argued that public service should not be used as a political stage, and one critic suggested the Vice Mayor run for Congress if advocacy is her focus.
But Solórzano isn’t backing down.
“One thing that really moved me is that I’ve had people in the community—not even in my district—reach out for help,” she said. “Whether it was concerns about their employees or their family members, I feel like if even one person felt supported because of what I did, then it’s worth it.”
Solórzano acknowledged that after several years on the City Council, she expected pushback.
Her decision recalls former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick’s protest during the national anthem, which brought attention to police brutality nearly a decade ago.
“I know patriotism and the flag are hot-button issues,” Solórzano said. “But I hope that even those who disagree with me recognize that we want the same thing—rights and representation for everyone in this country.”
She said she chose to sit again on Monday in response to Saturday’s bombing in Iran, which she criticized for lacking Congressional oversight or public input.
“Just like the ICE raids that were happening during the last meeting, this latest event reinforces for me why I need to continue making this stand,” she said.
Members of the Carpinteria Immigration Rights Coalition and parents connected with the Carpinteria Children’s Project voiced support for the Vice Mayor.
Teresa Alvarez, moved to tears, spoke about the emotional toll these issues take on children and their families.
Longtime Carpinteria resident Fred Shaw also spoke in her defense, saying Solórzano was exercising her First Amendment rights. He also applauded the newly formed female majority on the City Council.
City councils up and down the Central Coast have been urged to take action or pass resolutions in response to the recent immigration raids.
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