HUTTO — Black community representatives turned a cold shoulder to Mayor Mike Snyder and the city Thursday night, refusing the Hutto City Council’s Black History Month proclamation.
“On behalf of the Black Families of Hutto organization, we decline this proclamation due to the mayor not aligning with our values and our dedication to uplifting Black humanity,” said Bethany Hoffmann, a member of the Black Families of Hutto subgroup. “We encourage the city of Hutto to not simply write proclamations but to actually act in ways that value and support all citizens.”
Two council members also took a stand, by not standing at all. Brian Thompson and Dana Wilcott, who are both Black, remained in their seats and did not join the mayor and other council members in presenting the annual proclamation.
“I didn’t participate in the Black History Month proclamation because I believe Mayor Mike Snyder, who read and accepted the proclamation, has failed to support Black and brown families, employees and students in the city of Hutto,” Thompson said in a statement after the meeting.
Council member Randal Clark made a motion for Thompson or Wilcott to read the proclamation, but they both declined the offer.
Wearing black T-shirts printed with “End Racism In Hutto,” Hoffman and Heather Mack, members of a Black Families of Hutto social action subgroup, stood with white council members in front of the dais as the mayor read the proclamation.
When the mayor finished, Bruce Anderson of the Diversity and Inclusion Commission said a few words as he accepted the honor. Immediately afterward, Hoffman and Mack refused the honor and walked out of chambers.
Members of the audience who came to support Black Families of Hutto, many wearing the same printed shirts, walked out in unity with Hoffman and Mack.
“Racial discrimination is against the law and our city charter. We will continue to ask that our mayor be held accountable. I have requested this many times that I have spoke at council meeting. Social justice is honoring BHM,” Mack said later.
Mayor Pro-Tem Peter Gordon, who stood alongside other white council members while the proclamation was read, indicated standing was a matter of tradition rather than a political statement.
“The council always stands together when proclamations are read, and I agreed with the substance of the proclamation.”
Since at least 2020, the mayor and city have been mired in charges of racial discrimination both in the court of public opinion and the legal courtroom. In January, a United States District Court judge upheld a ruling that former City Manager Odis Jones was owed compensation for his mistreatment. While the judge did reduce the amount owed from $12.5 million to $7.5 million, the end result was that discrimination cost the city millions, and comments allegedly made by Snyder were part of the evidence.
Snyder has consistently denied accusations of racism, maintaining that he did not make the comments that earned him notoriety.
“Our goals should be to work together and strive for inclusiveness and equity for all the people of Hutto. No discrimination should be tolerated of any sort by anyone,” Snyder said. “All voices matter.”
Thompson and some members of Black Families of Hutto haven’t shown any indications they believe the mayor to be innocent of racial bias.
“Mayor Mike Snyder has been involved in discriminatory incidents and has shown a lack of commitment to fostering an inclusive community. It feels hypocritical to me to read a proclamation praising the ‘bravery, perseverance, faith and resolve’ of Black and brown citizens while acting differently the rest of the year,” Thompson said. “I refuse to be part of a proclamation that lacks genuine conviction for the change we desperately need in our community.”
Council member Brian Thompson is seated at left. Council member Dana Wilcott, also seated, can be seen behind the two people standing on the right. Standing, from left: Council member Randal Clark, D&I Commission members Jacqueline Coleman and Bruce Anderson, Council member Dan Thornton, Mayor Mike Snyder, Mayor Pro-Tem Peter Gordon, Council Member Amberley Kolar, Black Families of Hutto members Heather Mack and Bethany Hoffman. Photo by Edie Zuvanich
