20.064 A Resolution in Response to the Most Recent Killings of African-AmericansUpon the recommendation of:
Councilor William H. Dwight
Councilor John T. Thorpe
Councilor Gina-Louise Sciarra
20.064 A RESOLUTION
IN RESPONSE TO THE MOST RECENT KILLINGS OF AFRICAN-AMERICANS
Whereas:
George Floyd, an unarmed African-American man, was asphyxiated by a Minneapolis police
officer or officers on May 25th 2020; and
Whereas:
Breonna Taylor, an African-American Emergency Room Technician, was shot eight times and
killed in her own home by Louisville police on March 13th, 2020; and
Whereas:
Ahmaud Arbery, an African-American man was shot and killed by two white civilian men while
jogging through a South Georgia neighborhood on February 23rd, 2020; and
Whereas:
Mr. Floyd’s, Ms.Taylor’s, and Mr. Arbey’s deaths and the manner of their deaths are yet more
examples, in a list of countless examples, of an endemic culture of oppression and racism that
exists in our country; and
Whereas:
The widespread revulsion demonstrated by our fellow citizens to this, and to all of the
accumulated historical racist actions, requires a reckoning and a commitment from all of us to
confront this greatest threat to our society; and
Whereas:
In the absence of presidential leadership, it is incumbent upon local authorities to respond to
the suffering that racism inflicts; and
Whereas:
Silence and lack of expressed outrage and sorrow reflect complacency and, by extension,
complicity in these atrocities; and
Whereas:
We continue to mourn the most recent deaths chronicled in this resolution and all of the racially
perpetrated deaths that preceded them; and
Whereas:
The City Council of Northampton has for decades decried and condemned by resolution and
laws the myriad racist acts committed by individuals and persons in authority; and
Whereas:
The City Council of Northampton will continue to stand unified in our commitment to confront
institutional racism, implicit bias, and bigotry in all forms and violence.
Now therefore be it resolved that the City Council of Northampton:
Reasserts its unequivocal opposition to expressions and acts of hate; and
Be it further resolved that:
We call for increased resources from the Commonwealth for comprehensive anti-racism
trainings for state and municipal employees and students; and
Be it further resolved that:
We will not sanction oppression done in Northampton’s name; and
Be it further resolved that:
We will devote our efforts to expanding the challenging but necessary community conversation
on racism and on all of our respective culpabilities; and
Be it further resolved that:
The Administrative Assistant shall cause a copy of this resolution to be delivered to Governor
Charles Baker, Attorney General Maura Healy, Senators Elizabeth Warren and Edward Markey,
Congressman James McGovern, Massachusetts Senator Jo Comerford and Massachusetts
Representative Lindsay Sabadosa.