For A Few Minutes
What happened at the February 24 Council Meeting was a level of disrespect I have ever encountered in my years of public service in Watertown. It was humiliating and hurtful, especially since it was witnessed by my wife, Mary. Over the years, I have addressed many Watertown boards, and they were respectful. In more than 36 years, I do not recall any board, as a whole, walking out on any speaker. I was taken aback by the Councilors’ immediate departure in the midst of my speaking, particularly from a board I once served on.
It appears that a new norm has been established in one of our most important committees, and mutual respect is no longer of interest to the Council. While I have never seen a member of the community treated in this fashion, I have seen Board Members walk out on their colleagues. The Resolution addressed Trump’s recent posting and prior comments. I understand politics, and perhaps Trump feels such animosity toward Obama that he feels compelled to lash out depicting him as an ape. However, he included Michelle, who is not in an elected position nor ever has been, demonstrating his disrespect for all Black Americans.
Watertown has always been a leader in Social Justice; therefore, I was confident the city would adopt a resolution affirming that it respects and values Black residents. I sent the following email to Mark, cc’ing the Councilors on February 17, 2026, with the attached draft. The Councilors’ actions would be forgivable if they were unaware of the content and language of the resolution.
“Hi Mark,
I returned this past Friday to learn of the demeaning depiction that was posted on Trump’s Social Media Platform. I intended to present the enclosed Draft Resolution to the Council during the Public Forum. However, I am aware that rules dictate that no action is taken regarding issues brought to the attention of the Council by means of Public Forum.
Therefore, I am requesting consideration from you to include the Draft in this Friday’s Package for consideration and discussion during the Council’s meeting this upcoming Tuesday, February 24th.
Thank you for your attention to this important matter.
Best regards,
Clyde”
(For brevity, below are only the first three lines of the Resolution.)
DRAFT RESOLUTION
A Resolution of the Watertown City Council Denouncing Racist Imagery Posted on President Trump’s Social Media Account
WHEREAS, the City of Watertown affirms its commitment to dignity, equality, and respect for all people, regardless of race, ethnicity, or background; and
WHEREAS, on a latenight post on February 5 and early morning February 6, 2026, images depicting former President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama as apes appeared on the official social media account of the President of the United States; and …
Mark emailed me back stating that he is not going to put it on the agenda — without stating a
reason. I had seen the Feb. 10th recording, coupled with the response of the two most recent
Resolutions was asked to present to no avail, angeringly, I emailed Mark and Vinnie: “Not to be
crass, but be prepared for me to embarrass you next week. If two people have control over the
entire agenda of the legislative body and the policies of the town, we may as well not have any
other Councilors.” I also suggested they have the police there because that was the only way I
was going to relinquish the floor.
They had a police officer.
Over the years, we have had recesses, and unless going into Executive Session, we used this period to mingle with residents in attendance. The chair calling for a recess does not mandate Councilors to retreat from their seats and hustle off to the Council office. Recess is common and, unless going into Executive Session, recess was often used by Councilors to mingle with those in attendance.
Regarding the mass exit, as a Councilor, I would never have allowed myself to be used in this manner; nor, as Council President, would I have placed my colleagues in such a poor position.
I wish to thank (Lena or young lady) that relinquished her allocated Public Forum time during the Tuesday, February 24 Council Meeting. The kind gesture on her part is certainly appreciated.
Clyde L. Younger
Former Town Council President & School Committee Member
The only resolution from the public that I know of that has passed the council was the Fair Share Act, and that was because tax monies would impact Watertown directly. If the council is not the body to pass a resolution in which Watertown affirms all people are created equal and Watertown does not stand with those who disparage others because of race, then maybe it is the Human Rights Commission. I am not sure if they could do a resolution but they could be asked. Maybe another route is a petition. I would gladly sign such a petition!
Clyde
I read your letter in hopes of understanding your concerns about what happened at the meeting (while writing my comment, WordPress on Facebook do not allow me to go back to your text without losing my whole comment-so I am not using exact quotes and if I’ve come away not understanding, please let me know)
I came away believing I understoodyour foundation:
-why you raised the issue with the council,
-that you were told the issue would not be put on the agenda,
-that proposals, procedurally are not considered at open forums
-that another member of the community yielded their time to allow you to speak, and —your passion, anger and feelings of humiliation
But then I got lost
You wrote that;
-it’s a reasonable expectation that while a member of the public is speaking during allotted time, the councilors will not get up and leave the room
-at least in the past recess time is generally used by councilors to interact and engage with members of the public attending the meeting -but that was not the case at the meeting you are referencing
-that the entire council left while you were speaking
I want to thank you for taking the time to write about something you feel strongly about
If you are willing, can you help get me un-lost by clarifying-did the councilors walk out of the room during your allotted time?
Thank you
There was a question about whether the Council walked out during Mr. Younger’s allotted time.
I watched the meeting, and the council left the room after the two minutes had expired and the Council President asked him to end his remarks because the time had expired.
(Reminder comments must be signed with your full name.
In 1891, kin the Cambridge Chronicle there was a statement that stated; …thank goodness another black Irish papist was elected to the city council… This referred to my Grandfather who was Irish and Catholic. His family came from Newfoundland from Southern Ireland. His last name was Dutch, which made them think he wasn’t Irish.
In 1896, a Watertown news paper printed; …do not hire any Armenians to work, clean or ortherwise do work. They will take your jobs, lower your pay….
In the early 1900’s these same ideas described the Italians.
These types of non equality are common in the USA as different nationality’s have immigrated here. Helping to make the USA the country it was.
While I understand and support your intention to condemn the action of the felon presidents obvious racist action, I don’t think your proposal to bring it up to the counsel is this most useful avenue to make a statement. Little will come of it as the people you would like to pay attention to it, will not pay any attention to it.
IMHO, There has to be a better draft which is more inclusive or of a positive direction if you are to propose it for counsel consideration.
Negativity must be met with positivity whenever possible.
Know that there is a lot of support in Watertown on the issue of respect and equality.
The current president is not the first president to do this, though he’s really good at letting the racists self identify. Only silver lining, if there is one, is that we know who they are; it’s a bright red flag. Sad part, this president will never be ranked as one of the greats.
Of the 100s of scholarly surveys, across the political spectrum, Obama is at a solid 12. Trump’s first term puts him at 40, and after one year in his second term he is clocking in at 43.
Obama ranks in the top 10 in terms of foreign policy; his successor would have been very wise to follow. While Clinton often ranks in the top 3 on economic policy, Obama and Biden are in the top 20, even though Biden has produced some solid numbers in terms of growth, small business creation, manufacturing jobs and reducing childhood poverty. Perception and reality will get closer in 15 years or so. For Trump this will never happen! In fact, he is actually pushing up the rankings of Nixon, GWB and Harding.
Suggestion, maybe make the resolution less specific because that would reflect the actual history of the US.
“A Resolution of the Watertown City Council Denouncing any and all Imagery the depicts any person of color in dehumanizing way Posted by past, current and future Federal Administrations”