The Denver City Council and members of the public who were watching or listening in remotely were rocked on Monday by a racist, xenophobic and antisemitic tirade from an unregistered viewer on Zoom who managed to override the tech’s mute status.

The unknown and unnamed woman’s rant included racist labels directed at the two Black school girls and at the councilmembers for allowing them to speak, as well as an antisemitic comment.   

The comments caught city officials and the public in the council chambers caught off guard, and the producer, responsible for moderating the public comment sessions, scrambled to kick the person out.

The unknown woman who, according to city spokesperson Robert Austin, “hacked” into the Zoom meeting, unleashed a broadside on the two girls before they even spoke. Though only able to speak for a little over 30 seconds, the “cowardly and racist ‘Zoom-bomber,’” as the city council described her in a statement, spoke up when two school-aged Black girls came up to address the council and share their community’s needs.

The comments caused visible shock in one of the girls speaking, but the other younger girl appeared unperturbed and continued to address the council. She stopped as the verbal assault continued. 

While very early in their review and investigation, the city is in contact with Zoom about how this happened and what steps could be taken to prevent it from happening again, Austin said.

“We hope to develop more solid procedures for handling any breaches like this,” he said. “I don’t see the council abandoning the ability for participation virtually, as this council is committed to access and participation in the legislative process.”

The City Council unanimously condemned the participant’s actions and hate speech, saying any similar attempt would only steel their resolve to serve “proudly as anti-racist.”

In a statement Tuesday, the council praised both girls who signed up to speak. The council acknowledged how nerve racking it could be for individuals, especially young people, to step up and address a panel of 13 adults.

“The words were vile, as was the character of a person who would actively seek to say these words to two beautiful and courageous young girls,” the council said. “That they had to endure these racist actions and words in our chamber brings us pain, and we hope we can somehow give them a better memory in this chamber.”

The councilmembers representing northeast Denver, where the girls are from, have reached out and are “working with the school and families,” Councilman Kevin Flynn said. The Denver Gazette contacted other councilmembers for comment but did not hear back before press time.

The city is looking at ways to increase security to prevent another “hack,” officials said, but added they’re not sure when those changes would be implemented or even what the changes may look like.

“The parents and the school have asked to keep the kid’s identities private in the media,” Austin said. “It was a traumatizing experience for them.”

The Denver Gazette is not naming the girls or their school, or publishing their pictures.