Huffman Town Hall’s Most Contentious Issue is Gaza War
By Lauren Schmitt and Daniel Mintz KMUD News
North Coast Congressman Jared Huffman hosted a town hall at the Adorni Center in Eureka on March 30, where a packed audience raised concerns about federal program cuts, public safety funding, and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Though the congressman opened the meeting with a warning about authoritarian trends in the federal government, the most contentious moments centered on Huffman’s support for military aid to Israel.
Several attendees accused Huffman of being complicit in what they described as genocide in Gaza. One of the most impassioned voices came from Arcata artist and activist Karpani Burns, who referenced graphic images of dead Palestinian children and questioned Huffman’s moral stance.
“I care about what’s happening in Palestine. I care about the tens of thousands of people that have been murdered, and I have not yet seen one move on your part to care, to do something—except continue with your votes for arms to Israel. You continually say they have a right to defend themselves. They are not defending themselves. They are butchering a people, and it’s called genocide. When will you fight in your morality—where your human being has become disconnected to your politics?”
Huffman responded by acknowledging the suffering of Palestinians and said he opposed the scale of Israel’s military response, while maintaining his support for the existence of a Jewish and democratic Israeli state. “I’m probably in a position where I please absolutely no one on this issue,” Huffman said. “But I do believe that the State of Israel should exist… and I also believe there should be a Palestinian state with security and peace.”
He said he has opposed annexation and other aggressive policies of the Israeli government, while also expressing frustration at what he described as unrealistic expectations from some progressive activists. “Maybe getting thousands of people not to vote for Democrats in the last election because they weren’t perfect… was a dumb idea,” Huffman added, sparking a mix of applause and criticism from the crowd.
Despite heated exchanges, the event remained peaceful. Eureka Police Chief Brian Stephens said law enforcement did not have to intervene. “It was mainly the people sitting around those having outbursts who tried to calm them down—it was self-resolving,” Stephens said.
The town hall covered other pressing local and national issues as well. Petrolia Fire Chief Chris Gilda asked Huffman how he plans to protect FEMA fire grants, the National Fire Academy, and support departments that respond to incidents on federal lands like the King Range.
Huffman pledged to defend FEMA against budget cuts, calling recent attacks on the agency politically motivated. “They are firing thousands of people at FEMA as we head into summer with wildfires and hurricane season,” he said. He noted that many fire grants are now subject to case-by-case funding reviews due to federal budget freezes, and promised to advocate wherever possible—though he acknowledged the political landscape is difficult.
Other attendees voiced concern about broader federal cuts and their impact on local communities. Arcata Mayor Alex Stillman said a U.S. Fish and Wildlife office in her city may lose its lease and staff due to administrative mandates and budget reductions. “It doesn’t make sense for such a rural area like ours,” Stillman said, emphasizing the hardship on workers and families if remote work is no longer allowed.
Meanwhile, members of the Humboldt Committee for Peace and Justice have been holding regular silent vigils outside Huffman’s Eureka office and the Humboldt County Courthouse. The group is calling for an arms embargo on Israel and a permanent ceasefire. Each vigil lasts 2 hours and 12 minutes—meant to symbolize one half-second for every child reportedly killed in Gaza between October 2023 and 2024. At the town hall, organizers held a sign that read: “Congressman Huffman, 18,000 dead children is not self-defense.”
Community members shared a range of reactions after the meeting. Longtime constituent Robie Tenorio said she appreciates Huffman’s record on most issues but is “deeply disappointed” in his support for arms to Israel. “My tax dollars are funding that, and I’m just so sad,” she said.
Environmental activist Jane Lapiner expressed frustration that Huffman didn’t express regret for his vote. “I would have been happy if he could have said, ‘I regret my vote.’ Instead of, ‘I don’t know what I’ll do next time,’” she said.
Newly appointed California Democratic delegate Dave Frank said Huffman struck a balance between transparency and realism. “He carried himself well,” Frank said. “He reminded us that members of Congress have limited tools, and the real power lies with the people.”
Frank added that Huffman encouraged citizens to organize, assess their values, and push for policy change from the ground up.
Watch the town hall in full here:
