Pasadena cancels City Council meeting due to protest for Anthony McClain

Pasadena canceled Monday evening’s City Council meeting due to a planned protest for Anthony McClain, who was fatally shot by police last August.

“Out of an abundance of caution, as we have in the past due to an expected demonstration in front of City Hall, Monday’s meeting has been canceled,” Pasadena Public Information Officer Lisa Derderian told reporters. “We need staff at City Hall to coordinate the meeting. Agenda items will more than likely roll over to May 24.”

The rally was planned for 4 p.m. in front of City Hall at 100 Garfield Ave. It was scheduled to include McClain’s family, along with attorney Benjamin Crump, members of Black Lives Matter and relatives of George Floyd, who was killed by a police officer in Minneapolis on May 25, sparking nationwide protests against racism and police brutality.

McClain was the passenger in a vehicle that was pulled over by officers near Raymond Avenue and Grandview Street at about 8 p.m. Aug. 15. The 32-year-old Black man was shot at least once in the upper body after he got out of the vehicle and began running. He died that night at a hospital.

Pasadena Police Chief John Perez released police videos of the shooting following the traffic stop, said the fleeing McClain could be seen holding a gun in his waistband as he bolted from the passenger seat of the car, and that he then held it in his left hand as he ran.

McClain’s father has sued the city of Pasadena and several of its police officers, alleging wrongful death and civil rights violations.

Attorneys for Archie Barry, McClain’s father, allege the fleeing man was holding his belt buckle and that a gun recovered across the street was not tied to him and was “planted” by officers. A gun is not clearly visible in the video footage released by the police department, but McClain is seen with his hand at his waist as he begins to run.

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