On February 25, 2026, Escondido held a public hearing on whether to cancel a contract allowing ICE agents to use the city's police firing range. The turnout was overwhelming: 600 people attended, roughly 100 spoke in opposition (only 2 in favor), 34 elected officials submitted a letter urging cancellation, and thousands signed a petition.

To their shame, the Republican council majority kept the contract in place.

In the days that followed, Mayor Dane White sent a fundraising letter badly misrepresenting what happened that night. In it he repeatedly disparaged, name-called, ‘othered’, misrepresented. He outright dismissed even the presence of 100s of his own constituents. calling their fears ‘ridiculous’ and their speaking to him ‘relentless’. Listen to some of the actual testimony at this short post and to learn more. https://escondidoindivisible.org/600-came-to-plead-for-our-safety-dane-white-called-us-ridiculous/

It is time for a change in leadership in Escondido. Learn about candidates who are already standing up for our community. Let's build a better Escondido starting now. https://escondidoindivisible.org/600-came-to-plead-for-our-safety-dane-white-called-us-ridiculous/