www.montereycountynow.com APRIL 10-16, 2025 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 17 To the 30 or so people who gathered on Thursday night, April 3, at the Portuguese Hall in Salinas, it seemed inevitable that they would feel like they were under siege. The group, convened by the Association of Monterey Bay Conservatives, had invited a group of six men, all sentenced to prison time for their roles in the Jan. 6, 2021 insurrection and then pardoned by President Donald Trump, billed as “political hostages.” Three venues had already canceled. By the time the day of the event arrived, organizers announced a plan that seemed designed to scramble protesters: Meet in a parking lot to get the event address in person. “The misinformation surrounding the event has spiraled out of control, creating chaos and misunderstanding,” organizer Karen Reissman wrote in an emailed statement. “We are determined to create a platform for these men to share their stories.” The alleged misinformation was unspecified, but I did want to hear their stories—even if, under any other presidential administration that was less nakedly motivated by quid pro quo deals, these men would be in prison, some for years. So along with Weekly Staff Writer Pam Marino, I tried to attend but we didn’t get past an enraged greeter at check-in. She called over one of three private security guards, yelling: “They are invading a private function!” The irony was, I think, unintended. I later watched a video of the event, and I learned there was an entirely different world inside, built on a false narrative. The group of Jan. 6 insurrectionists are remorseless, and proud of what they did. “If I had to do it all over again, I would,” said James McGrew. (McGrew pleaded guilty to assaulting law enforcement officers based on a series of confrontations, according to the DOJ: “He was part of a crowd that overwhelmed law enforcement officers attempting to prevent rioters from advancing further on the restricted grounds. He proceeded to an area outside the Upper West Terrace doors to the Capitol Building. He filmed the scene, shouting ‘let’s go’ approximately 14 times, and ‘we took this thing.’” He was sentenced to sixand-a-half years in prison, and served a little under four.) It’s not surprising that people charged with a crime claim their innocence. But the event revealed the degree to which Jan. 6 insurrectionists and their supporters continue striving to create an alternative reality—one in which the 2020 election really was stolen, in which Capitol police led them into a trap and in which they were righteous, not attempting to undermine the institutions that make our country great. The presenters said they hoped to form a network—and some writing books, hosting podcasts and fundraising. (They’ve been kicked off of platforms like GoFundMe, so started using GiveSendGo.) According to the DOJ, Edward Badalian wrote on Telegram: “If they’re guilty of treason they should be executed…Biden is definitely guilty of treason.” Badalian told the Association of Monterey Bay Conservatives: “I’m really glad to see that you guys are out here getting involved in grassroots politics. These kinds of meetings, this is how we take back California.” Those comments left me feeling shaken; whatever your politics, certain institutional norms (like the peaceful transfer of power) are what hold our society together. Outside, a group of about 25 protesters was angry, hurling insults as attendees entered or left the venue. One protester, Maria-Elena Cordero of Salinas, was different— she was less interested in confrontation than bridging the gap. “I was hoping to have a conversation with one of them,” she told me. “I would like to engage in civil discourse and ask serious questions. I don’t want to interrupt or swear at them, I want to talk, so I can understand what moved them to do what they did. My real goal is civil discourse. If we don’t have that, we are never going to get anywhere.” The trouble, of course, is that the speakers on the inside are not interested in conversation. They blame “cancel culture” when venue organizers realize the event violates their regulations. They prohibit media from attending. It’s asymmetrical, with liars claiming misinformation. I don’t see how to have a conversation across that gulf. Sara Rubin is the Weekly’s editor. Reach her at sara@montereycountynow.com. Echo Chambers A local group gives Jan. 6 insurrectionists a platform—for those who agree. By Sara Rubin IN A PICKLE…It’s that time of the year again when Squid oozes onto land to try Squid’s tentacles at some outdoor sports, since the season for catching crabs is wrapping up. Squid is intrigued by pickleball, not because of Squid’s age, but Squid’s eight arms give Squid an advantage—an unfair one at that if you ask Squid’s competition. Neighbors of Chamisal Tennis & Fitness Club in Corral De Tierra are also bemoaning what they perceive as unfair. The sports club plans to convert two tennis courts into eight pickleball courts, while adding three more pickleball courts with the potential to convert another tennis court into pickleball. The Monterey County Zoning Administrator is set to consider the proposal on Thursday, April 10. Pickleball’s distinctive “pop” sound when the ball hits the paddle has some neighbors up in arms, saying it impacts—you guessed it—the “rural character” of the community. In a letter to county officials, neighbor Holger Kappler wrote, “the tranquility and peaceful surroundings [are] being destroyed by this expansion.” A noise study commissioned by the county found that noise from pickleball at the club is at most 61 decibels—generally considered to be as loud as a normal conversation. Sperm whales are known to frequent Squid’s deep sea home, so Squid knew not to expect the quiet of a library when Squid moved into Squid’s lair. Perhaps Chamisal’s neighbors should have realized the same—the term “fitness club” says all you need to know. PAY PALS…Squid knows times are tough out there for a lot of people. Jobs are being lost, wealth is evaporating and global financial markets are in turmoil. Sure, Squid saw it coming and stocked up with a year’s supply of shrimp-flavored popcorn, but eventually it will run out and Squid will have to spend at least twice as much to buy it. So in these chaotic times, it’s nice to have the power to give oneself a raise, which the Marina City Council did in February when it voted to increase compensation for councilmembers from $200 per month to $2,000, and for mayor, from $250 to $2,500. It was the first raise the council had in 35 years. Did Squid expect the Seaside City Council to take that lying down? Squid did not—if Squid knows anything about Seaside, it’s that the city is not to be outdone by Marina. And sure enough, on March 20, Seaside’s council voted unanimously to increase the monthly compensations for councilmembers (including mayor) from $400 to $2,400. Take that, Marina! Squid understands the recent push to better compensate local elected officials—they, like Squid’s colleagues, put in a lot of hours. But Squid hopes that compensation isn’t just for face time, but for homework. Do the reading, ask smart questions, make good policy—you know, those things you were elected for. THE LOCAL SPIN SQUID FRY THE MISSION OF MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY IS TO INSPIRE INDEPENDENT THINKING AND CONSCIOUS ACTION, ETC. They are remorseless, and proud of what they did. SEND SQUID A TIP: squid@montereycountynow.com
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