Recall Effortt Against Boise City Councilmember Lisa Sanchez Begins

There are now at least four official recalls underway in the state of Idaho.

Gov. Little’s recall began weeks ago. A recall attempt against Mountain Home Mayor Rich Sykes also started several weeks ago.

Last week the recall against Boise Mayor Lauren McLean officially kicked off.

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Now, the recall effort against Boise City Councilmember Lisa Sanchez begins today.

The group of citizens trying to recall Sanchez has 75 days to collect approximately 24,000 (originally reported as 9,000) signatures.

For those wishing to learn more about the recall and where you can sign if you wish to, their Facebook group is who you should contact.

We asked the organizers of the recall about their effort and one of the organizers, Lynn Bradescu responded to our inquiry.

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First, we asked her why the recall was being done in the first place. This was her response,

There can be many reasons for the voters to consider the removal from office using the recall process of a public official that at times can be hard to explain to the public. These reasons can be centered around complicated policy issues, or these reasons may be triggered by corruption, illegality, that can be challenging to litigate. In the case of Councilwoman Lisa Sanchez, the need to remove her from office is not complicated. It is a simple question before you whether or not you believe the city is being well served by having an overt racist within its ranks.

This is not based on a theory perpetuated by her official actions; nor is the proof obtained by her making vague comments left for interpretation. The evidence is her own words voluntarily shared on social media. No attempt was made to hide her sincere hatred towards people based solely on the color of their skin.

Bradescu goes on to discuss a controversial post from Sanchez back in June when protesters were gathered at the capitol to protest the killing of George Floyd.

Councilmember Sanchez had posted about an individual that negligently discharged a firearm into the ground. The individual was arrested and charged.

In the post, Ms. Sanchez discusses the benefit the white suspect had because of his skin color.

She indicated that had he been a person of color the situation would have gone differently. In the closing of her post, she tells supporters that she chose not to have children because she feared white people would abuse and kill them.

Councilmember Sanchez stood by her post and told KTVB in an interview,

It’s not an injustice this young man did what he did, putting people’s lives in danger, and his life in danger, but that nobody said anything,” Sanchez said. “Everybody dismissed it, ‘oh, it was an accident.’ You don’t accidentally leave your home with a ginormous gun with ammunition chambered with the safety off and go downtown threatening people. I don’t feel that this gentleman was exercising his first and second amendment rights. What I believe he was doing is exercising his rights as a white man in our culture where you’re always given the benefit of the doubt. That’s not what people of color experience in our community.

Sanchez also voiced frustration that people seemed more concerned with her post than the man who negligently fired his firearm.

To this, Bradescu had the following response,

To add more clarity to the situation the man who illegally discharged a weapon was charged in accordance with existing law the same as anyone else would have. There is zero evidence he was treated any differently than any other citizen would be in that circumstance.

Anyone in a public position in Idaho who made this same comment about any other race or gender should be removed from their job. Sanchez has made no apology for her comments and has attempted to justify them in recent interviews.

In closing, Bradescu said that she believes Sanchez is causing racial division in the community. She wants Sanchez to be held accountable for her statements.

Bradescu closed her statement to Idaho Dispatch by saying,

In Sánchez’s world, it seems that race is the only thing that defines people. Whatever her life experiences have been to cultivate such hatred in her heart for those who do not share her skin color, it does not give her a pass as a public official. This latest social media comment also paints a dark picture of how she sees the citizens of Idaho. This is not the Idaho we all know and love. This petition is being levied on the principle that Idaho is too great for hate, and that overt racism is not acceptable. The Councilwoman has shown extreme prejudice against people by judging them solely on the color of their skin. The city of Boise needs to continue to strive to be a place where all people can feel welcome and accepted. We should not accept anyone in public office that seeks to divide by stoking the flames of racial division.

We asked Councilmember Sanchez if she wished to respond to the recall effort but she has not responded to our inquiry at this time.

The organizers for the recall say that they have not been deterred by the Coronavirus.

They say that many businesses are helping push the recall effort and that Boise citizens are helping circulate the petition.

If the organizers gather the necessary signatures to attempt a recall of Councilmember Sanchez, she would be given five days to resign. If she does not resign then she is placed on the ballot for recall.

Do you support or oppose the recall effort of Councilmember Sanchez?

Let us know in the comments below.