HomeMy WebLinkAboutStaff Report 12121CITY OF PALO ALTO COUNCIL COLLEAGUES' MEMO
March 22, 2021
The Honorable City Council
Palo Alto, California
Colleagues' Memo: Discussion and Adoption of a Resolution
Denouncing, Condemning and Combating Racism, Xenophobia, and
Intolerance Against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in the City
of Palo Alto
Recommendation
City Council consideration of a Colleague’s Memo from Council Members DuBois, Kou, and
Tanaka requesting the Council adopt the proposed Resolution advancing inclusion and
belonging for people of all races, national origins, and ethnicities and gu aranteeing the safety
and security of the American people.
Goals
Advance inclusion and belonging for people of all races, national origins, and ethnicities is
critical to guaranteeing the safety and security of the American people.
The City of Palo Alto should combat racism, xenophobia, and intolerance against Asian
Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) and should work to ensure that all members of AAPI
communities — no matter their background, the language they speak, or their religious beliefs
— are treated with dignity and equity.
Background and Discussion
During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, inflammatory and xenophobic
rhetoric has put Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) persons, families, communities, and
businesses at risk.
The Federal Government has played a role in furthering these xenophobic sentiments through
the actions of political leaders, including references to the COVID-19 pandemic by the
geographic location of its origin. Such statements have stoked unfounded fears and
perpetuated stigma about Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders and have contributed to
increasing rates of bullying, harassment, and hate crimes against AAPI persons. These actions
defied the best practices and guidelines of public health officials and have caused significant
harm to AAPI families and communities that must be addressed.
Despite these increasing acts of intolerance, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders have
contributed to making our City and the Bay Area more secure during the COVID-19 pandemic
and throughout our history.
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Nationally, an estimated 2 million Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders have served on the
front lines of this crisis as healthcare providers, as first responders, and in other essential roles.
Resource Impact
No resource impacts are anticipated from adoption of the proposed Resolution.
ATTACHMENTS:
• Attachment A: Draft Resolution (DOCX)
Department Head: Beth Minor, City Clerk
20210317 th 0140215
Resolution No. _______
Denouncing, Condemning and Combating Racism, Xenophobia, and Intolerance
Against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in the City of Palo Alto
R E C I T A L S
A. Twenty-three million Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders account for seven percent of
the Nation’s population in the United States; and
B. Over two million Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders are working on the frontlines of
this COVID–19 pandemic in health care, law enforcement, first responde rs,
transportation, supermarkets, and other service industries; and
C. The use of anti-Asian terminology and rhetoric related to COVID–19, such as the ‘‘Chinese
Virus’,” ‘‘Wuhan Virus’,” and ‘‘Kung-flu’’ have perpetuated anti-Asian stigma; and
D. Such rhetoric is inaccurate and stigmatizing, tends to incite fear and xenophobia, and may
put individuals of Asian ancestry at risk of retaliation and deterrence from accessing
resources and services, appearing in public, and expressing their identity; and
E. As SARS-CoV2 has spread, numerous Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities
have reported AAPIs experiencing microaggressions, racial profiling, hate incidents and, in
some cases, hate violence due to fears of COVID-19.
NOW, THEREFORE, the Council of the City of Palo Alto RESOLVES as follows:
SECTION 1. The City denounces xenophobia and anti-AAPI sentiment and condemns
harmful rhetoric and racist acts arising due to the fears of the COVID -19 pandemic.
SECTION 2. The City joins cities, counties, and states across the country in affirming its
commitment to the safety and well-being of citizens, non-citizens and visitors with ancestry from
the Asia Pacific region and in combating racist acts targeting AAPIs.
SECTION 3. The City Council encourages community-based organizations, advocacy
groups, as well as other appropriate officials and agencies across the county, to partner in the
protection of AAPI residents and victims of discrimination and to curb hate acts related to COVID -
19. These partnerships are critical to combating the victimization and blame that have impacted
minority groups throughout society.
SECTION 4. The City Council urges the local and regional news media to responsibly and
vigilantly report incidents involving hate acts, as well as to partner with community-based
organizations to highlight AAPI stories and uplift the contributions of AAPI-owned businesses and
AAPI-led organizations.
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20210317 th 0140215
SECTION 5. The City calls upon all counties, cities, and local governments across the
United States to adopt similar commitments to reaffirm their solidarity with AAPI communities
and commit to combating hate and improving health equity.
INTRODUCED AND PASSED:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTENTIONS:
ATTEST: APPROVED:
City Clerk Mayor
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
______________________________
City Attorney City Manager