Zapf’s Aide Calls Protesters at Inaugural “F*cking idiots” and “I wanted to shoot them!”

A community representative of newly-sworn in Councilwoman Lori Zapf called protesters at Zapf’s inaugural “fucking idiots” and then said “I wanted to shoot them!”

Shirley Owen, an aide to Zapf, called the protesters “fucking idiots with their hands up” and said “I wanted to shoot them.”  The protesters were there to protest police violence and brutality, and had rallied outside the Golden Hall inauguration in downtown San Diego on Wednesday, Dec. 10th. They were chanting “hands up, don’t shoot!”, and then went inside and had a silent protest and a “die-in”.

Here’s part of the KPBS report on the incident:

 On stage, Zapf and three other council members each delivered remarks after taking the oath of office. The council members did not acknowledge the demonstrators during their speeches, nor did any other city official on stage. After closing comments, the estimated two dozen protesters, led by Marine veteran and college junior Mark Jones, chanted and marched around the room.

While members of the public and news media waited near the front of the room to speak with Zapf after the ceremony, her community representative Shirley Owen called the protesters “f—— idiots with their hands up” and said “I wanted to shoot them.”

When asked later that day about Owen’s comments, Zapf said she supported the demonstrators’ right to protest and said they were not disruptive at the ceremony. She said she would speak to Owen about the comment. KPBS followed up with Zapf’s office Thursday and communications director Alex Bell issued this statement:

“Protesting is one of the rights guaranteed to us by the First Amendment, and Councilmember Zapf fully supports that right. Regarding any comment that may or may not have been made by a staff member, action is being taken internally to address the issue. Due to the City’s personnel rules, I am unable to discuss this matter further at this time.”

Obviously, Ms Owen was upset at the “intrusion” to her boss’ inaugural, but we truly hope she is not Zapf’s community rep for OB.

(Hat tip to Michael Dull)