Long Beach Refuse Worker Placed on Leave After Christopher Dorner Remarks at City Council

Refuse Worker Anthony Holmes stands outside of City Hall. Photo by Jackie Rae

Anthony Holmes has become a staple in Long Beach politics. For the past four years, Holmes, an employee with the city's Refuse Department, has given public comment during City Council meetings to raise awareness about what he says is ongoing racism, discrimination and retaliation against Black workers in the department.

This week, Holmes drew immediate criticism from Mayor Rex Richardson after using former Los Angeles police officer Christopher Dorner to make a point. The next day, he was placed on paid administrative leave.

"Christopher Dorner filed multiple cases against his colleagues, and LAPD ... retaliated against him just for filing complaints," Holmes said.

Dorner was fired by the LAPD in 2008 after alleging that a training officer had kicked a suspect. He maintained his complaint was never truly investigated. Five years later, his manifesto and rampage left four people dead — and a week-long manhunt before Dorner took his own life.

"Now, I don't, I don't believe and I don't condone in violence," Holmes said during his public comment. "But by any means necessary, as a Black man, all we have is our name."

Holmes went on to say that Dorner had been portrayed as "this crazy Black man, angry Black man, but all he was—was a Black man that filed complaint." Holmes also addressed City Manager Tom Modica directly: "I just want you guys to know, Tom Modica, that it's ... million Black mans out there like Christopher Dorner just waiting."

Richardson addressed those comments by saying, “Just want to acknowledge Christopher Dorner killed people," Richardson said. "Let's just be clear that. We don't condone threats, references of violence, all of those things here at the council meeting, so we're clear."

In an exclusive interview with JackieRaeTV, Holmes said he does not agree with the assertion that his anecdote could be perceived as a threat.

"I wasn't highlighting violence, I was highlighting his mental health — what it took for him to get there, of him making complaints and crying out that somebody would go and save him and help him, and actually follow up on the complaints that he was making," Holmes said.

He believes the city should pay more attention to the mental health needs created out of a hostile work environment. "I think people downtown, City Hall, should actually send people down there to the Refuse Department, all these departments, 'cause it's a lot of mental issues that goes on with a lot of workers.”

"You don't know what a person is dealing with outside of work, then they gotta come to work and deal with supervisors that don't like 'em, management that don't like 'em, and keep going against 'em ... that's a mental issue.”

When asked about the reaction to his comments, Holmes acknowledged the comparison landed hard.

"I know it was a strong example, and I want Long Beach to start taking care of these examples right now before something tragic happens, he said. "Let's get in front of it now."

The city responded quickly. On Wednesday, Holmes said he was placed on paid administrative leave. In the letter posted online, the city does not name a specific reason for the leave. Holmes said he was verbally told his comments during the council meeting were perceived as a threat of violence.

Holmes says the leave will not stop him from showing up to City Council on Tuesday.

Update: Response from Energy & Environmental Services | Materials Management Bureau Public Information Officer:

The City can confirm that Mr. Holmes was placed on paidAdministrative Leave on September 2, 2026 and will not be permitted back to the workplace, pending an investigation and/or until further noticed. As a matter of policy, specific personnel or employment actions are considered confidential personnel matters, and the City cannot provide more detail on this specific matter.