Lindsay keeps his commission post

The biggest story from Tuesday night’s meeting of the Garden Grove City Council is what didn’t happen.

Joshua Lindsay, a controversial figure for his comments on the protests over the death of George Floyd, isn’t going to lose his seat on the city planning commission.

A half-dozen speakers addressed the council demanding his resignation or removal from office, but none of the council members were prepared to go that far.

Lindsay became the subject of a storm of criticism after he self-narrated a live-stream smart phone broadcast of the hundreds of people marching through Garden Grove protesting police brutality on June 3.

Standing out among his remarks was one that appeared to satirize what Floyd gasped as a white policeman kneeled on his neck: ‘”I can’t breathe.” The marchers chanted that phrase and Lindsay said, “Maybe if they’re having trouble breathing, they should sit down.”

Amanda Nguyen, one of the speakers Tuesday night urging Lindsay’s removal, said, “He was mocking the man’s last words” she said. “He mocked the protestors. They were there to fight racism.”

When the furor arose, Lindsay posted an apology online, but his critics were not persuaded. “He’s not fit to represent the people of Garden Grove,” said Ariana Arestegui.

Lindsay sat quietly during the series of calls for his removal from his post. Finally, he got up and spoke.

“I’ve listened to the public,” he said, referring also to the criticisms that were posted on Facebook and other social media. “They cut like a knife. I could step down right now, but there are still so many things I want to do for the community.”

He vowed to change his behavior and his attitudes and the council went along with his contrition.

Councilmember Kim Nguyen (District 6) addressed what she called “the elephant in the room.” She noted that the city had received a petition of nearly 6,000 people demanding Lindsay’s ouster, but decided that the city should practice some forgiveness. “I want to extend that compassion to Josh Lindsay.”

Mayor Steve Jones pointed out that all commission appointments will end after the election in November. He admonished Lindsay that “there’s five months until commission terms expire” and urged him during that time to be “the poster child” of respectful conduct and diversity.

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