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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.