San Jose: San José Mayor Statement on Thanksgiving Gathering
The Californer/10106861

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

December 1, 2020

Media Contact:
Rachel Davis, Press Secretary, Office of Mayor Liccardo, 408.712.9149, rachel.davis@sanjoseca.gov

SAN JOSE, CA -- San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo released the following statement about his Thanksgiving gathering.

"A recent news report has raised questions about my family's Thanksgiving dinner last week.

On Thanksgiving afternoon, my wife Jessica and I attended my parent's house for an outdoor dinner on their backyard patio, along with my sister-in-law.  The five of us, plus my brother, have dined together—appropriately spaced–once or twice a week for several months, as a stable group of three households.   On this occasion, that brother joined us late and dined separately, after we completed our meal.   One of my sisters also joined us for this Thanksgiving afternoon, along with her son and daughter-in-law.

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In summary, eight of us representing five households sat around three distanced tables in our own family groups on the back patio, and we wore masks when not eating.    I have a very large family—I am one of five children--and several of our family members who would have often joined us for Thanksgiving in the past—including sisters, nephews, nieces, and cousins—stayed home out of caution.

After I returned home, I saw an NBC reporter's tweet that I dined "at home" for Thanksgiving, apparently based on information from my communications office.  Since that was inaccurate, I asked that we communicate with the reporter to correct the record, by clarifying that I was at my parents' home.   The following day, my chief of staff reached out to that reporter, informing him that I was at my parents' house, which resulted in his report last night.

I understand that the state regulations, issued on November 13^th , limit the number of households at a private gathering to three.   I apologize for my decision to gather contrary to state rules, by attending this Thanksgiving meal with my family.   I understand my obligation as a public official to provide exemplary compliance with the public health orders, and certainly not to ignore them.  I commit to do better."

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