20.045 A Resolution Denouncing Anti-Asian Discrimination
In the Year Two Thousand and Twenty
Upon the recommendation of Councilor Karen Foster and Councilor Rachel Maiore
R-20.045 A RESOLUTION
DENOUNCING ANTI-ASIAN, ANTI-ASIAN-AMERICAN AND XENOPHOBIC DISCRIMINATION
Be it resolved by the City Council of the City of Northampton, in City Council assembled,
as follows:
WHEREAS, the Northampton City Council has passed a Resolution Declaring
Northampton’s Commitment to Being a Safe and Accepting Community on November
17, 2016 as well as a Resolution Regarding Hate Crimes on February 21, 2013 and,
WHEREAS 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,
WHEREAS the use of anti-Asian rhetoric, including by our current US President and top
federal officials, has resulted in people of Asian descent being harassed, assaulted, and
scapegoated for the COVID-19 pandemic throughout the US including in our own
community and,
WHEREAS, since January 2020, there has been a dramatic increase nationwide in
reports of hate crimes and harassment of those of Asian descent, with the online
reporting forum STOP Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) HATE logging in
more than 1,100 reports of incidents of racial harassment and discrimination in the
United States1 and,
WHEREAS the Northampton City Council has established, as stated in the November
17, 2016 Resolution Declaring Northampton’s Commitment to Being a Safe and
Accepting Community, that it believes in ‘the rights of people to lead lives of peace and
dignity free from fear, harassment and violence.”
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of Northampton,
Massachusetts calls on all local public officials to condemn and denounce any and all
anti-Asian sentiment in any form in and around our City.
1“STOP AAPI HATE Receives over 1,100 Incident Reports of Verbal Harassment, Shunning and
Physical Assault in Two Weeks”, last modified April 3, 2020,
http://www.asianpacificpolicyandplanningcouncil.org/wp-content/uploads/Press_Release_4_3_20.pdf
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City Council of Northampton, Massachusetts
recognizes that the health, safety, and dignity of all residents, no matter their
background, must be of utmost priority.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City Council of Northampton, Massachusetts
stands with our Asian and Asian-American neighbors and business community.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City Council of Northampton, Massachusetts
condemns all manifestations of Anti-Asian racism, xenophobia, discrimination, and
scapegoating.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City Council of Northampton, Massachusetts
calls on the United States leadership to combat misinformation and discrimination that
puts Asian Americans at risk and to commit to building a more inclusive, diverse, and
tolerant society.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Administrative Assistant to the City Council shall
cause a copy of this resolution to be sent to President Donald Trump, U.S. Senator
Elizabeth Warren, U.S. Senator Ed Markey, U.S. Senator Kamala Harris, U.S.
Representative Grace Meng, Congressman James McGovern, Massachusetts
Governor Charles Baker, State Senator Joanne Comerford and State Representative
Lindsay Sabadosa.