20210420-04d: Stop Asian Hate Proclamation — original pdf

Recommendation

COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Asian American Quality of Life Advisory Commission Recommendation Number: (20210420-04d): Stop Asian Hate Proclamation Denouncing Hate Crimes and Acts of Bigotry against Asian Americans. WHEREAS, The Asian American Quality of Life Advisory Commission was created in 2014 to represent the growing Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community and provide on-going guidance and support for the City of Austin’s Asian American Quality of Life initiatives; and WHEREAS, Austin residents who trace their ancestry to Asia and the Pacific Islands have contributed much to the City with talents and hard work, adding to the cultural fabric of our society; and WHEREAS, The Asian American and Pacific Islander community is the fastest growing demographic group within the City of Austin; and WHEREAS, Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a dramatic increase in the number of reported and unreported acts of discrimination, violence, and hate crimes committed against Asian American and Pacific Islanders in the United States; and WHEREAS, For too long, violence affecting Asian American and Pacific Islanders has been overlooked or even dismissed; and WHEREAS, Barriers such as language or cultural differences, distrust of police, or fear of repercussions have created reluctance in reporting hate crimes within our communities; and WHEREAS, During Asian Pacific American Cultural Heritage Month we celebrate Austin’s AAPI community by honoring the many contributions they have made over the years to our city’s culture and economy; and NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Asian American Quality of Life Advisory Commission, recommends that the City of Austin affirm its commitment to the safety of its Asian American and Pacific Islander community and that we are committed to ending the spread of all forms of hate and bigotry; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City of Austin, as a welcoming city, denounces hate against Asian American and Pacific Islanders and all communities of color and understands that we must work together to fight against it; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City of Austin hereby acknowledges April 17, 2021, as Stop Asian Hate Day and May 2021 as Asian Pacific American Cultural Heritage Month in the City of Austin. Date of Approval: April 20, 2021 Record of the vote: Moved by Commissioner Stanton, Seconded by Commissioner Patil. Unanimous on a 8-0 vote (Commissioners Yoshida, Cobalis, Stanton, DasGupta, Saxena, Patil, Huang, and Chen) Absent: Commissioner Wang and Sethi Attest: _____________________________________________