Item 15 - CPIO We All Belong Draft Recommendation — original pdf

Backup

ASIAN AMERICAN QUALITY-OF-LIFE ADVISORY COMMISSION (AAQoL) RECOMMENDATION 20240318-015 Recommendation on the FY 2024-25 Budget for the We All Belong Austin Against Hate Campaign Recommendation on the FY 2024-25 Budget for the We All Belong Austin Date: March 19, 2024 Subject: Against Hate Campaign Motioned by: Seconded By: We All Belong Austin Against Hate Campaign Description July 2023, the City launched an anti-hate education and outreach initiative called “We All Belong” to streamline access to tools to report hate crimes and incidents, making it easier for community members to keep Austin safe. This was during a disturbing upward trend that has continued in hate crimes in the city that were anti-Semitic, racist, and homophobic and was as directed by council in a 2021 resolution. Just in February of this year, a stabbing attack in West Campus of a group of South Asians was classified as a hate crime after the Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR) issued a wide- alert about the context around the crime and held a press release at City Hall following it. Prior to that, news reports did not mention the use of racial slurs and targetting of the victim, who is Palestinian American. Our commission sees the continued need for the We All Belong Austin against the anti-hate campaign and wants to see it continue its reach to along with staying current and updated with current news communities targeted disproportionately for their race, ethnicity, or religion. Recommendation $350,000 in one-time funding is recommended to sustain the program and campaign Department Communications & Public Information Office Alignment with Council Strategic Priorities Government that works for all; Equity of City programs and resource allocation, Safety, Proactive Prevention, Community Trust & Relationships Vote For: Against: Abstain: Absent: Attest: