HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-056 CCR Member Butler introduced the following resolution and moved its adoption:
RESOLUTION NO. 2021-56
RESOLUTION EXPRESSING THE SENSE OF THE BROOKLYN CENTER
CITY COUNCIL CONDEMNING ALL FORMS OF ANTI-ASIAN SENTIMENT
RELATED TO COVID-19
WHEREAS, 23 million Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders account for seven
percent of the Nation's population in the United States; and
WHEREAS, over two million Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders are working
on the frontline of the COVID-19 pandemic response in health care, law enforcement, first
responders, transportation, supermarkets, and other service industries; and
WHEREAS, according to the United States Census Bureau July 1, 2019 Quick
Facts, the demographics of Brooklyn Center is 16.4 percent Asian Americans and Pacific
Islanders; 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 since January 2020, there has been a dramatic increase in reports of hate crimes and
incidents against people of Asian descent; and
WHEREAS, the increased use of anti-Asian rhetoric has results in Asian
Americans being harassed, assaulted, and scapegoated for the COVID-19 pandemic and Asian-
American businesses being targeted for vandalism; and
WHEREAS, the World Health Organization and the Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention recognize that naming COVID-19 by its geographic location or linking it to a
specific ethnicity perpetuates stigma; and
WHEREAS, the Secretary General of the United Nations called for international
solidarity and an end to any ill-founded discrimination of the pandemic's victims;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of
Brooklyn Center, Minnesota, that it calls on all public officials to condemn and denounce any and
all anti-Asian sentiment in any form; recognizes that the health and safety of all Americans, no
matter their background, must be of utmost priority, condemns all manifestations of expressions
of racism, xenophobia, discrimination, anti-Asian Sentiment, and ethnic or religious tolerance;
calls on local law enforcement officials to investigate and document all credible reports of hate
crimes and incidents and threats against the Asian-American community in Brooklyn Center; and
encourages the leadership of Brooklyn Center to build more inclusive, diverse, and tolerant
societies and to combat misinformation and discrimination that puts Asian Americans and Pacific
Islanders at risk.
RESOLUTION NO. 2021-56
April 12, 2021
Date Mayor
.
ATTEST: 1�iZ� ���
City Clerk
The motion for the adoption of the foregoing resolution was duly seconded by member
Graves
and upon vote being taken thereon, the following voted in favor thereof:
Butler, Graves, Lawrence-Anderson, Ryan
and the following voted against the same: None
whereupon said resolution was declared duly passed and adopted.