Loading...
RES-2021-033 RESOLUTION NO. 2021 -033 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ANAHEIM REAFFIRMING THE CITY'S COMMITMENT TO STAND IN SOLIDARITY WITH ANAHEIM'S ASIAN AND PACIFIC ISLANDER COMMUNITIES AND DENOUNCE DISCRIMINATION WHEREAS, the United States has a rich history of immigration from nations all over the world, creating diverse communities in cities throughout the country, including in Anaheim, California; and WHEREAS,over 17%of the City of Anaheim's population is of Asian and Pacific Islander descent; and WHEREAS, the growth of Asian Pacific Islander (API) communities in the City has greatly contributed to the economic growth and success of City of Anaheim; and WHEREAS, many of the City of Anaheim's essential workers at the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic in health care, first responders, supermarkets, and other service industries are of API descent; and WHEREAS, hate crimes, discrimination, and aggression against APIs are on the rise throughout the country as API ethnic groups are being blamed for the COVID-19 outbreak; and WHEREAS,scientists have confirmed that the COVID-19 disease does not respect borders and is not caused by ethnicity, and the World Health Organization has cautioned against using geographic descriptors because such characterizations can fuel ethnic and racial discrimination; and WHEREAS, about 31% of Asian Americans report having been subject to discrimination since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a Pew Research Center report; and WHEREAS, in response to the alarming escalation in xenophobia resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, the Asian Pacific Planning and Policy Council, Chinese for Affirmative Action, and the Asian American Studies Department of San Francisco State University launched the Stop AAPI Hate reporting center on March 19, 2020. The center tracks and responds to incidents of hate, violence,harassment, discrimination, shunning, and child bullying against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in the United States; and WHEREAS, the Stop AAPI Hate reporting center reported over 3,795 incidents against Asian American and Pacific Islanders from March 19, 2020, through February 28, 2021; and WHEREAS, three deadly shootings targeted Asian American businesses in Atlanta, Georgia on March 16, 2021; WHEREAS, violent attacks have particularly intensified against Asian senior citizens across the United States and such xenophobia and discrimination can have a range of adverse physical and mental health consequences for stigmatized groups and their communities; and WHEREAS, APIs in the State of California are increasingly concerned about their safety and well-being, given the rise of hate crimes and other racially motivated attacks; and WHEREAS, it is critical that the City of Anaheim take leadership and stand in solidarity with its API communities to send a message that discriminatory behavior will not be tolerated; and WHEREAS, all persons are encouraged to report any such discriminatory incidents to the proper authorities for investigation; and WHEREAS,the City of Anaheim approved Resolution No. 2020-044 on May 12, 2020, to stand in solidarity with Anaheim's Asian American Community and denounce discrimination due to coronavirus; and WHEREAS, the City Council wishes to reaffirm its commitment to the well-being and safety of its API community members and ensure they know they are not alone and that the City is committed to ending the spread of bigotry. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Anaheim denounce any acts of discrimination and joins cities, counties, and states across the country in reaffirming its commitment to the safety and well-being of Asian Pacific Islander communities and in combatting crimes targeting them as follows: 1. Strongly condemns and denounces anti-Asian Pacific Islander sentiment in any form; and 2. Calls on local law enforcement to work with the State and Federal law enforcement officials to investigate and document all credible reports of hate crimes and threats. // // // // // THE FOREGOING RESOLUTION is approved and adopted by the City Council of the City of Anaheim this 1 3,; day of April , 2021 by the following roll call vote: AYES: Mayor Sidhu and Council Members Faessel, Diaz, Brandman, Moreno, Valencia, and O'Neil NOES: None ABSENT: None ABSTAIN: None CITY OF A. AHEIM By: AiliIM YOI' •F 'HE ! ITY 11 ANAHEIM ATTEST: CITY CLE' OF THE CITYe ANAHEIM 3 CLERK'S CERTIFICATE STATE OF CALIFORNIA ) COUNTY OF ORANGE ) ss. CITY OF ANAHEIM I, THERESA BASS, City Clerk of the City of Anaheim, do hereby certify that the foregoing is the original Resolution No. 2021-033 adopted at a regular meeting provided by law, of the Anaheim City Council held on the 13th day of April, 2021 by the following vote of the members thereof: AYES: Mayor Sidhu and Council Members Faessel, Diaz, Brandman, Moreno, Valencia and O'Neil NOES: None ABSENT: None ABSTAIN: None IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 14th day of April, 2021. CITY CL' K OF THE CITY OF ANAHEIM (SEAL)