Anaheim Mayor Ashleigh Aitken is refusing to meet with leaders of several community organizations to discuss accusations of racist and homophobic slurs attributed to her. The Mayor stated she would not participate in a dialogue if former City Councilman Jose Moreno, a long-standing Latino activist and President of Los Amigos, is present, claiming his presence would create an “unsafe environment” for her.
Moreno initially reached out to Mayor Aitken in late September on behalf of numerous community groups. His email, dated September 25, requested a meeting to engage in conversation about the allegations and their impact on residents, stating the groups were “quite concerned about these allegations” and sought dialogue “before determining any actions.” The organizations involved in the request included Los Amigos, the Orange County Communities Organized for Responsible Development (OCCORD), OC Asian Pacific Islander Community Alliance, League of United Latin American Citizens, the Arab American Civic Council, OC Community Congregation Organization, and Chispa.
Later that same day, Mayor Aitken responded, denying the allegations and expressing a willingness to meet with the leaders individually. However, she specified her condition: “I will not, however, engage with Dr. Moreno as I feel it puts me in an unsafe environment.” She added, “If you are still willing to sit down with me under those parameters, I would appreciate your time to discuss these very important accusations.”
Moreno, who has supported Aitken’s political campaigns twice, expressed difficulty understanding the Mayor's stance. He noted that while he has supported some of her initiatives, he has also publicly questioned others. He emphasized that the purpose of the proposed meeting was to hear from Mayor Aitken directly, address community pain, and discuss the impact of the allegations. Mayor Aitken later reiterated her commitment to meeting with community groups, calling the allegations “ridiculous” and a “well-orchestrated attack before an election,” but acknowledging that “people’s feelings haven’t been hurt.” She stated, “Community is more than just one person.” In a follow-up text message, Aitken elaborated that her refusal stemmed from a “lack of trust” in Moreno, claiming that “honest dialogue requires mutual respect.” She added that her response being shared with the press reinforced her position.
Days after Aitken’s initial email, Ivon Peña, the Executive Director of OCCORD, replied on behalf of the community leaders, expressing disappointment in the Mayor's requirement to exclude Moreno. Peña’s September 29 email stated, “It does not escape us that your rationale for trying to exclude Dr. Moreno raises serious racial/ethnic and gendered tropes about Latino men.” Peña further noted the groups’ disappointment that the Mayor “refused a meeting with us as a community,” particularly given their intent to approach the situation with seriousness and care for the communities they serve. Peña later explained that the majority of leaders did not understand the Mayor’s sentiments of feeling unsafe, emphasizing that the goal was dialogue for accountability, not an attack.
In her subsequent email response to Peña, Mayor Aitken asserted her willingness to meet with leaders but stated that if they could not accept her restrictions, it was their choice. She contested the idea of a “static ‘Latin American gender culture’” and “reverse sexism,” cautioning against accusations of sexism and racism based on her email. Peña described Aitken’s response, particularly a “lesson on feminism and sexism,” as disappointing and dismissive, especially for a woman of color who navigates the intersections of race and gender daily. Both Peña and Moreno underscored the importance of due process, with Moreno highlighting its historical significance for Latinos in Anaheim and beyond.
The allegations against Mayor Aitken emerged from a claim filed against the city by her chief of staff, Berenice Ballinas. Ballinas alleged that the Mayor referred to her as a “dirty Mexican,” repeatedly questioned her perceived sexuality, mocked her faith, and consumed alcohol heavily at government functions. Ballinas also stated that city leadership minimized her concerns about the Mayor's behavior. Mayor Aitken has denied using the slurs but admitted last week to having a drinking problem, having attended rehab last year, and experiencing a relapse at a birthday celebration this past June. The city has initiated an independent investigation into the allegations against the Mayor by hiring an outside investigator.
