20240327-018_JIC FY24-25 We All Belong Budget Recommendation Signed — original pdf

Recommendation

. BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Joint Inclusion Committee Recommendation Number: (20240327-018): We All Belong Austin Against Hate Campaign WHEREAS, the Joint Inclusion Committee (“JIC”) of the City of Austin (“City”) serves as an advisory body that advocates for and inspires the City Council (“Council”) and City Manager on issues pertaining to equity, diversity, and inclusion to promote close cooperation between Council, City Management, City boards, commissions, committees, and task forces, and individuals, institutions, and agencies to increase and sustain equity, diversity, and inclusion in the city; and WHEREAS, 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; and WHEREAS, 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 targeting of the victim, who is Palestinian American; and WHEREAS, the Joint Inclusion Committee sees the continued need for the We All Belong Austin against the 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. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Joint Inclusion Committee encourages the Austin City Council to allocate $350,000 in funding is recommended to sustain the program and campaign. Date of Approval: March 27, 2024 Record of the vote: 8-0, Commissioners Vargas and Gordon (ECC), Commissioners Davis and Aslam (Human Rights) absent . Attest: _____________________________________________ Vice-Chair