Anti-Racism Resolution On Tap For Temecula City Council

TEMECULA, CA — Temecula City Council is poised to have a discussion Tuesday night regarding ongoing work to denounce racism and ensure equity for all.

During the 7 p.m. city council meeting, the council will vote on a proposed resolution that is expected to pass unanimously. It calls for the "fair and equal treatment of all human beings." It denounces racism in all its forms, and calls for a "commitment to the advancement of equity, diversity and inclusion."

The resolution follows "a race and equity initiative" that was passed by city council on July 14. The initiative is based broadly on the Race, Equity and Leadership (REAL) program offered through the National League of Cities. During Tuesday's meeting, city staff will provide the council and community with an update on the initiative.

The following is the full resolution that Temecula City Council is expected to pass:

RESOLUTION NO. 2020-
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TEMECULA SUPPORTING THE FAIR AND EQUAL TREATMENT OF ALL HUMAN BEINGS, DENOUNCING RACISM IN ALL ITS FORMS, AND DECLARING ITS COMMITMENT TO THE ADVANCEMENT OF EQUITY, DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION

WHEREAS, on May 25, 2020, George Floyd, a 46-year old unarmed black man, was killed after being arrested by police in Minneapolis, Minnesota for possessing a counterfeit $20 bill; and

WHEREAS, the unarmed deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, Stephon Clark, Philando Castile, Tamir Rice, Michael Brown, Eric Garner, Trayvon Martin and many more, have led to nationwide protests; and

WHEREAS, these protests and related community dialogues have led to a renewed commitment by many in the public and private sectors to actively acknowledge and work towards a more equitable and just society; and

WHEREAS, in local government specifically, the Southern California Association of Governments, League of California Cities, County of Riverside, and many other county and city elected officials, have publicly denounced racism while committing to address its related challenges; and

WHEREAS, Temecula is not immune from the impacts of racism and members of the community have shared their personal stories, their discriminatory experiences, and their powerful voices, in an effort to be heard and seen; and

WHEREAS, members of the Temecula City Council have also expressed a strong desire to address the needs of the community and effectuate change; and

WHEREAS, on July 14, 2020, the Temecula City Council approved an initiative based broadly on the Race, Equity and Leadership (REAL) program offered through the National League of Cities; and

WHEREAS, as a part of the race and equity workplan, the Temecula City Council conceptually approved items in three phases, related to ongoing education, communication, policy review, resolution adoption and the creation of a commission, ensuring the important conversations and hard work around race, equity, diversity, and inclusion will continue well into the future in a sustainable and meaningful manner; and

NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TEMECULA DOES HEREBY RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS:

SECTION 1. The City Council supports the fair and equitable treatment of all human beings in a just society, irrespective of race, ethnicity, gender, disability, or cultural background, and strongly denounces racism in all its forms, systemic or otherwise.

SECTION 2. The City Council stands in solidarity with the Temecula community, communities of color and those negatively impacted physically, emotionally, mentally, and/or economically by racism resulting from inherent biases and prejudice.

SECTION 3. The City Council recognizes the role it plays in fostering a healthy and prosperous environment for all residents of Temecula and commits to the meaningful advancement of equity, diversity and inclusion in its community dialogue, services, programs and policies.

SECTION 4. This resolution shall become effective immediately upon passage.

Anyone interested in attending Tuesday night's meeting can do virtually. Find more information on how to attend, and read the full meeting agenda here.