HomeMy WebLinkAboutStaff Report 7565 City of Palo Alto
COLLEAGUES MEMO
December 12, 2016 Page 1 of 1
(ID # 7565)
DATE: December 12, 2016
TO: City Council Members
FROM: Council Member Holman, Council Member Kniss, Council Member
Wolbach, Council Member Burt
SUBJECT: COLLEAGUES MEMO REAFFIRMING PALO ALTO'S COMMITMENT TO
A DIVERSE, SUPPORTIVE, INCLUSIVE AND PROTECTIVE COMMUNITY
We recommend Council adopt the attached Resolution affirming Palo Alto’s commitment to a
diverse, supportive, inclusive and protective community.
NOT YET APPROVED
161201 tlh 0140172
1
Resolution No. ________
Resolution of the Council of the City of Palo Alto to
Reaffirm Palo Alto’s Commitment to a Diverse, Supportive,
Inclusive, and Protective Community
R E C I T A L S
A. Palo Altans value a community characterized by diversity, multiculturalism, and
unity, embodied in our national motto, E Pluribus Unum (from many, one); and
B. Palo Alto’s community spirit is one of protection and support, with many Palo
Altans active as volunteers in preparing for and responding to emergencies both natural and
man-made, and ensuring the physical and emotional needs of all are considered and met
wherever possible; and
C. Each person is naturally and legally entitled to live a life unmolested by
harassment, discrimination, persecution, or assault, whether perpetrated by individuals,
groups, businesses, or government; and
D. There exists significant and growing concern in our community based upon
recent national and regional incidents of hate crimes, discrimination, sexual harassment, and
assault, and fear of a trend toward more of these crimes in the future; and
E. There also exists considerable concern in our community of risks to marginalized
communities of persecution, deportation, denial of constitutional and human rights, and
relaxation of national laws protecting people from discrimination, harassment, and assault;
and
F. Many Palo Altans, including a large number of students, have recently marched
peacefully, rallied, and otherwise communicated their rejection of bigotry and affirmed their
commitment to a diverse, supportive, inclusive, and protective community; and
G. Palo Altans value all members of our community of all religions, ancestries, and
ethnicities as well as people of any disability, gender, sexual orientation, or gender identity.
NOW, THEREFORE, the Council of the City of Palo Alto takes this opportunity to
reinforce our commitment to a diverse, supportive, inclusive, and protective community and
RESOLVES as follows:
SECTION 1. Resolution.
NOT YET APPROVED
161201 tlh 0140172
2
The City of Palo Alto rejects bigotry in all its forms, including but not limited to
Islamophobia, anti-Semitism, racism, nativism, misogyny, and homophobia; and
The City of Palo Alto does not tolerate discrimination, hate crimes, harassment, or
assault; and
The City of Palo Alto will oppose any attempts to undermine the safety, security, and
rights of members of our community; and
The City of Palo Alto recognizes, values, and will proactively work to ensure the rights
and privileges of everyone in Palo Alto, regardless of religion, ancestry, country of birth,
immigration status, disability, gender, sexual orientation, or gender identity; and
The City of Palo Alto will promote actual safety, a sense of security, and equal protection
of constitutional and human rights, leading by example through equitable treatment of all by
City officials and departments.
SECTION 2. CEQA. The Council finds that the adoption of this resolution does not meet
the definition of a project under Public Resources Code Section 21065, thus, no environmental
assessment under the California Environmental Quality Act is required.
SECTION 3. Effective Date. This resolution shall take effect immediately on its passage.
INTRODUCED AND PASSED:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTENTIONS:
ATTEST:
__________________________ _____________________________
City Clerk Mayor
APPROVED AS TO FORM: APPROVED:
__________________________ _____________________________
City Attorney City Manager
_____________________________
Director of Administrative Services