HomeMy WebLinkAbout21-049 - ADMIN Resolution - City Council - 2021/04/05Resolution No. 21-049
Resolution in support of the Asian American and Pacific Islander community
Whereas, the City of St. Louis Park is committed to being a leader in racial equity and
inclusion in order to create a more just and inclusive community for all; and
Whereas, the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community have been subject to
racism since their arrival in the United States; and
Whereas, fear and ignorance about the COVID-19 pandemic has led to scapegoating and
anti-Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) sentiment, manifesting in a rise in hateful
rhetoric, false accusations and nearly daily reports of bullying, harassment, physical attacks and
deadly violence directed at people of Asian heritage across the country; and
Whereas, beginning in 2020 there has been a documented regional and nationwide trend
of increased discrimination, hate and violence against Asian American and Pacific Islander
communities – from young adults to our most vulnerable elderly – made worse by false
narratives and xenophobia around the coronavirus; and
Whereas, recent events including the March 16, 2021, mass shooting in Atlanta, Ga.,
resulting in the death of eight people, six of whom were woman of Asian descent; and the
March 30 attack on an Asian American woman in Midtown Manhattan where bystanders did
not intervene, have focused attention on the long history in the United States of discrimination
and hate directed at Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders; and
Whereas, misinformation about COVID-19 and associated false allegations of blame have
impacted the wellbeing of Asian Americans, Pacific Islanders and those perceived as such,
threatening the livelihoods and physical safety of members of these communities; and
Whereas, the racist violence being perpetuated denies that the Asian American and
Pacific Islander (AAPI) community have contributed to the vitality, economy and culture of the
United States for generations; and
Whereas, more than 100 Americans are killed daily by gun violence, most of whom are in
BIPOC communities; and
Whereas, the St. Louis Park City Council and St. Louis Park Human Rights Commission
strive to create a community where people of all backgrounds feel saf e and are treated with
respect and dignity and recognized for their contributions to St. Louis Park; and
Whereas, the St. Louis Park Human Rights Commission will host a Summer of Action series
that will highlight and offer opportunities to engage community members around activism and
race equity. The program will focus on building social capital and community cohesion by
fostering the ability for community to come together to dialogue, learn and build relationships
while deepening their understanding of race equity;
Now therefore be it resolved that the St. Louis Park City Council denounces
discrimination, harassment and violence against any individual or community, including those
DocuSign Envelope ID: 39D8DBC7-1D7F-42B1-A0C3-1B23821A18A7
Resolution No. 21-049 2
of Asian American and Pacific Islander descent or perceived as such. We ca ll upon our residents
to stand as a collective whole to silence hate, and to make extra effort to ensure the safety and
wellbeing of all residents and visitors to St. Louis Park.
Reviewed for administration: Adopted by the City Council April 5, 2021
Thomas K. Harmening, city manager Jake Spano, mayor
Attest:
Melissa Kennedy, city clerk
DocuSign Envelope ID: 39D8DBC7-1D7F-42B1-A0C3-1B23821A18A7