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HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 6: Anti-Hate Resolution ECC UGENE ITY OUNCIL AIS GENDA TEM UMMARY Action: Adoption of Resolution 5013 to Denounce Hate, Intolerance, and Bias Activities in the City of Eugene Meeting Date: July 26, 2010 Agenda Item Number: 6 Department: City Manager’s Office Staff Contacts: Holly LeMasurier, Randi Zimmer www.eugene-or.gov Contact Telephone Number: 541-682-5619, 541-682-5852 ISSUE STATEMENT The Human Rights and Police commissions both request council adoption of a resolution opposing hate violence and strengthening the City of Eugene’s responses to hate. BACKGROUND The City’s Bias and Hate Incident Response was recently developed and shared with the council in a work session on July 30, 2010. This work highlighted the interdependent relationship between proactive interventions, such as leadership messages and targeted education, and effective reporting and response. The proposed resolution augments Eugene’s successful implementation of best practices in responding to bias crimes, hate speech and related activities, and highlights the community’s leadership in this area. The Human Rights and Police commissions conducted a public forum on hate crimes in late April 2010, convening many of the major partners working in hate response and education. The committee working on this public forum developed an anti-hate resolution, and presented and discussed the draft resolution at the forum. The resolution was also discussed as a model for other local agencies to develop statements or policies resolving to address hate, bias, prejudice and intolerance in their organizations. The origins of the resolution emerged from research of the Not in Our Town model. Eugene joined hundreds of other communities adopting this model, focused on messaging, intervention and community actions. RELATED CITY POLICIES City Council goals: “Safe Community” and “Effective, Accountable Municipal Government” Enhancing relationship and partnership opportunities between Police and Human Rights Commissions is a goal in both the Police Commission proposed FY11 Work Plan and the Human Rights Commission FY10/11 Work Plan. City of Eugene Code 2.265 Human Rights Commission - Duties and Powers. (1) The commission shall affirm, encourage and initiate programs and services within the City designed to eliminate discrimination, improve human relations, and effectuate the spirit and intent of applicable human rights legislation. In these efforts, the commission may enlist the support of community groups and public agencies. Z:\CMO\2010 Council Agendas\M100726\S1007266.doc Police Commission Mission:The Police Commission mission is to recommend to the City Council, the City Manager, the Police Department, and the people, the resources, preferred policing alternatives, policies and citizens' responsibilities needed to achieve a safe community. We strive to create a climate of mutual respect and partnership between the community and the Police Department that helps achieve safety, justice and freedom for all people in Eugene. COUNCIL OPTIONS A.Adopt the resolution as proposed or with revisions. B. Decline to adopt the resolution. C. Take other action, as directed by the council. CITY MANAGER’S RECOMMENDATION The City Manager recommends that the council adopt the proposed resolution. SUGGESTED MOTION Move to adopt Resolution 5013 to denounce hate, intolerance, and bias activities in the city of Eugene . ATTACHMENTS A.Proposed Resolution FOR MORE INFORMATION Staff Contact: Holly LeMasurier, Human Rights Analyst Telephone: 682-5619 Staff E-Mail: holly.k.lemasurier@ci.eugene.or.us Staff Contact: Randi Zimmer, Police Commission Analyst Telephone: 682-5852 Staff E-Mail: randi.m.zimmer@ci.eugene.or.us Z:\CMO\2010 Council Agendas\M100726\S1007266.doc RESOLUTION NO. __________ A RESOLUTION TO DENOUNCE HATE, INTOLERANCE, AND BIAS ACTIVITIES IN THE CITY OF EUGENE. The City Council of the City of Eugene finds that: A. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights promotes standards of human dignity and human security for all people. B. The people of the City of Eugene seek to protect human and civil rights. C. We believe that our strength lies in our common humanity, and we strive to foster mutual understanding. D. Hateful violence is a persistent concern for public safety across the nation. E. History has tragically taught us what happens when acts of intolerance and hatred occur. F. Individuals often feel isolated to end hate violence, but seek non-violent coexistence. G. The people of Eugene, Oregon will stand together and resolved in opposing manifestations of hate, and acts of intolerance committed against our neighbors. H. We strongly condemn bias, intimidation, harassment and other acts of violent behavior based on race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, housing status, economic status, or other social status. I. Eugene chooses to be a leader in promoting human rights and social justice, diversity and equity, public safety and social well-being. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF EUGENE, a Municipal Corporation of the State of Oregon, as follows: We join the efforts across the community, country and globe to oppose hate violence by strongly confronting acts of hate and intolerance in the City of Eugene, and strengthening our responses to hate. The foregoing Resolution adopted the ____ day of July, 2010. ___________________________________ Acting City Recorder Resolution -- Page 1 of 1