Support of Van Halen Memorial Draws Attention to Removal of McClain Remembrance

[UPDATED] As fans around the world expressed their support for a city-sponsored memorial honoring legendary guitarist Eddie Van Halen, some local residents are using the opportunity to decry a decision to remove a memorial erected by local residents in honor of a black man fatally shot by police.

“Eddie Van Halen died 20 days ago,” wrote Breathe Justice. “We’re already discussing permanent memorials. Shame on city leaders for your hypocrisy. Agendizing this topic while simultaneously destroying handmade memorials from impassioned mourners of Pasadena’s Anthony McClain is shameful. He was a grandson, son, brother, and friend in our community.” 

McClain was shot and killed by a Pasadena police officer on Aug. 15 after he fled during a traffic stop. Police said lab results show McClain’s DNA was on a gun found at the scene near La Pintoresca Park.

The city removed a memorial placed at the site after two months. Police said in the weeks following the shooting they received hundreds of calls from residents living nearby complaining about shots being fired in the neighborhood.

In correspondence to the City Council, local residents called on officials to find a way to honor the McClain memorial. 

“Today, as the council plans to discuss spending taxpayers’ money to erect a costly memorial for a white, well-known rock artist, Eddie Van Halen, a man very few Pasadenans actually knew, I stand with many Pasadenans to demand the council to arrive at a mutually agreeable way to memorialize Mr. Anthony McClain who was killed by a Pasadena police officer, Edwin Dumaguidin, on Aug.15, 2020,” wrote Kenichi Yoshida. 

“Taking down the memorial in ‘stealth of the night’ without any conversation with the community members is egregious and immoral, and only strengthens the argument that the Pasadena Police’s dislike of the ever-present reminder of Pasadena Police shooting McClain in the back as he fled from a traffic stop,” Yoshida wrote.

Pasadena Police Chief John Perez told the City Council’s Public Safety Committee last week he made the decision to remove the memorial.

The issue could lead to formal policy on monuments erected by citizens.

“Currently, there is no municipal code regarding this issue,” according to Lt. William Grisafe. “The question was raised at last week’s Public Safety Committee meeting, and staff intends to bring forward a discussion on the matter when appropriate.”

This past weekend a group of local protesters showed up outside Mayor Terry Tornek’s home. Tornek and his wife removed signs the group left behind.

Van Halen died on Oct. 6 after a long battle with throat cancer. He moved to Pasadena in 1962 from the Netherlands with his family. As he grew up he faced racism due to his family’s status as immigrants and his inability to speak the language well. He was taunted by white teens but befriended by Black students.

On Monday, Councilmembers John Kennedy and Tyron Hampton acknowledged the struggles Van Halen faced while growing up. 

Hampton called for a memorial for every person killed by a city employee, including Black people killed by the police.

Coincidentally, at Monday’s meeting city officials said they did not want to place a memorial to Van Halen near his boyhood home because it could impact the quality of life of the people living in that neighborhood.  

Options for that memorial include renaming an alley in Old Pasadena in Van Halen’s honor and or placing a plaque or statue near the Civic Auditorium and Convention Center.