Victorville City Council Does Not Remove Planning Commissioner Derek Marshall

VICTORVILLE, Calif. (VVNG.com) — The Victorville City Council on Tuesday took no action to remove Planning Commissioner Derek Marshall following controversy over his participation in a Victor Valley High School student walkout protesting federal immigration enforcement, also known as ICE.

The discussion took place during the City Council meeting held on March 3, 2026, drawing dozens of supporters who filled the council chambers in support of Marshall.

During the public comment portion of the meeting, many speakers approached the podium and voiced support for Marshall. Marshall himself also addressed the council, asking members to allow him to remain in his role.

“Good evening, council, this feels a little bit strange, and I wanted first of all to say that I’d like to keep my job,” Marshall said. “I really like being a planning commissioner. I have near-perfect attendance, and I in no way, shape, or form wanted to politicize my participation a couple of weeks ago in the protest.”

Marshall told the council he did not organize the Feb. 13 student walkout and said he learned about it after reading about planned walkouts in the newspaper.

Marshall said he waited outside Victor Valley High School on a public sidewalk and joined the students as they marched, believing he was acting as a private citizen while also helping keep the students safe.

“I honestly thought we were just going to go around the block and then go back to the school,” Marshall said, explaining he was surprised when the students instead marched to Victorville City Hall.

Marshall said he encouraged students to stay on sidewalks rather than walk in the street as the group moved through the city.

When the students arrived at City Hall and asked him to speak, Marshall said he briefly addressed them but emphasized the moment was about the students.

“I told them that I was super proud of them for what they were doing,” Marshall said.

He concluded his remarks by asking the council to allow him to remain on the Planning Commission. “It’s a privilege for me to be there,” Marshall said.

After public comments concluded and the council began discussing the agenda item, the crowd inside the chambers became loud and disruptive.

Mayor Liz Becerra initially ordered a 10-minute recess after interruptions made it difficult for the council to continue the meeting.

When the meeting resumed, disruptions continued while Mayor Pro Tem Bob Harriman was addressing the council. Becerra issued several warnings asking the crowd to allow the council to proceed.

After the interruptions persisted, Becerra ordered the chambers cleared and called for another break.

“At this time, we are going to clear the chambers. This disruption cannot cease. This is in government code section 54957.9. Deputies, will you please clear the room, we will take a five-minute break. Clear the room deputies clear the room,” Becerra said.

Following the break and the clearing of the chambers, Becerra addressed those remaining.

“Ladies and gentlemen, the council has heard each and every one of you, that requested to speak on this item, respected your opinions, we respected your speaking time. Now it’s the council‘s time to have our say. We ask you please, if you give us the same respect that was given to Mr. Marshall and the rest of you,” she said.

Mayor Pro Tem Bob Harriman, who previously requested the agenda item, said his goal was to have a transparent discussion about Marshall’s actions and whether they were consistent with the city’s governance policies.

“When I asked for this item to be scheduled, it was because I wanted to have a discussion in a very transparent way about the possibility of removing Derek Marshall as an appointee to our planning commission,” Harriman said.

Harriman reiterated concerns he previously raised about Marshall’s participation in the Feb. 13 protest that began at Victor Valley High School and ended at Victorville City Hall.

“When doing so, I stated that Mr. Marshall is an appointed local public official and that his participation in the protest event communicates a disregard for our local government structure,” Harriman said.

Harriman said the city operates under a governance framework defined by adopted policies, council norms, and a code of ethics that guide how officials conduct themselves.

“Our rules clearly state that in our role as officials representing the city, we must not take a public position on an issue unless it’s been voted on by the council, and then it’s the mayor who will communicate the view taken by the council,” Harriman said.

He also argued that Marshall’s participation in the protest created confusion among residents about whether he was acting as a private individual or as a public official.

“Mr. Marshall took part in an activity that disrupted the city’s ability to conduct business here at City Hall, and because he did it here at City Hall, our residents can’t distinguish the difference between him acting as a private resident or a public official,” Harriman said.

Harriman noted the protest centered on federal immigration enforcement — an issue he said the city council has no jurisdiction over.

Despite those concerns, Harriman said he ultimately did not believe removing Marshall from the Planning Commission was necessary at this time.

“Based on how we have conducted ourselves in the past, I don’t believe it’s necessary at this time to remove Mr. Marshall from the planning commission,” Harriman said.

“I had no problem with the students protesting,” Harriman added. “It’s getting in front of the city hall and causing the city manager to have to lock it down; that’s wrong.”

Following Tuesday night’s meeting, Marshall took to Facebook to celebrate the outcome and thank supporters who packed the council chambers. “This happened because people showed up,” Marshall wrote.

“Thank you to the @caworkingfamiliesparty for helping lead the organizing and bringing the Pathway to Power tour to the High Desert. Thank you to Stevonna Evans and Chris Ochoa for standing with our community. Thank you to the many local community leaders who spoke up and refused to stay silent. And most importantly, thank you to the people.”

Marshall added, “Democracy only works when the public shows up, pays attention, and makes it clear that our communities belong to all of us. Tonight proved that Victorville is paying attention. We are just getting started.”

The council ultimately took no action on the proposal to remove Marshall, allowing him to remain on the Planning Commission.

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