Resolution No. 5317 - Laserfiche WebLink

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RESOLUTION NO. 5317 A RESOLUTION CONDEMNING WHITE NATIONALISM AND SEDITIOUS ACTIVITIES AND EXTREMIST GROUPS. The City Council of the City of Eugene finds that: A. The Mayor and City Council of the City of Eugene are proud to supportpolicies and efforts that uphold our commitment to protect an individual’s ability to experience a safe, welcoming and inclusive community in Eugene. B. In alignment with City Council’s goal of creating a safe and welcomingcommunity, we value human rights, peace, respect, inclusivity and equity, and recognize that we derive strength from our diversity. C. We acknowledge that scholars consistently define white nationalism as the promotion of the idea that national identity should be built around white ethnicity, and that white people should therefore maintain both a demographic majority and dominance of the nation's culture and public life across the country. D. We recognize that there has been a rise of white nationalist and white supremacist groups in the United States and that the national political dialogue reflects this racial tension. E. Our community is committed to a just and inclusive Republic. White nationalism places the interests of white people over those of other racial groups, and is an ideology focused on maintaining white political, economic, and demographic dominance, and it is at odds with our vision for Eugene. F. The Oregon Constitution states, "No law shall be passed restraining the free expression of opinion, or restricting the right to speak, write, or print freely on any subject whatsoever; but every person shall be responsible for the abuse of this right.” (Emphasis added.) G. Free speech is a core principle of our American Republic and the democratic institutions that underpin its existence. The agenda of white nationalist groups seeks to destabilize the American Republic, use fear through threats and physical violence as a control tactic, divide our community, and promote and ignite social animosities. H. We understand that the City of Eugene exists on the occupied land of the Kalapuya people and within the historical context of our nation and state. Marginalized communities have experienced generational oppression and traumas related to the decisions made by people and governments in both the past and present. White supremacy groups have a history of advocating for the marginalization of communities of color through government policies. For example, legislation starting with the Indian Removal Bill of 1830 made it the policy of the U.S. government to begin the forcible removal, relocation and genocide of Native People. This included the original people of our region, the Kalapuya. In more modern times, extreme racial prejudice towards Japanese-Americans following Pearl Harbor, lead to government action that resulted in their forced Resolution -- Page 1 of 3