HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution 18441 Denouncing Xenophobia due to Covid-19 PandemicCITY OF MOUNTAIN VIEW
RESOLUTION NO. 18441
SERIES 2020
A RESOLUTION DENOUNCING XENOPHOBIA AND ANTI -ASIAN SENTIMENT
ARISING DUE TO FEARS OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC AND AFFIRMING ITS
COMMITMENT TO THE WELL-BEING AND SAFETY OF ASIAN -PACIFIC
AMERICAN COMMUNITIES
WHEREAS, Asian -Pacific American communities are suffering acts of
discrimination, hate crimes, and microaggressions due to fears of COVID-19; and
WHEREAS, since the December 2019 outbreak of the COVID-19 virus in Wuhan,
China, the infection has grown to 2 million confirmed cases and over 120,000 confirmed
deaths worldwide, and in the United States, almost 600,000 cases have been reported as
of April 14, 2020; and
WHEREAS, such anti -Asian rhetoric and sentiment is inaccurate and stigmatizing,
- tends to incite fear and xenophobia, and may put Asian -Pacific Americans at risk of
retaliation; and
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WHEREAS, scientists have confirmed that the COVID-19 disease does not respect
borders and is not caused by ethnicity, and the World Health Organization has
cautioned against using geographic descriptors because they can fuel ethnic
discrimination; and
WHEREAS, as the COVID-19 virus has spread, numerous Asian -Pacific Americans
have reported experiencing microaggressions, racial profiling, hate incidents, and, in
some cases, hate violence; and
WHEREAS, in an effort to quantify and combat hate crimes targeting Asian -Pacific
Americans stemming from people's reaction to the COVID-19 pandemic, two Bay Area
groups, the Asian Pacific Policy and Planning Council (A3PCON) and Chinese for
Affirmative Action (CAA), created an online reporting center where people can fill out
a form (currently available in English, traditional Chinese, simplified Chinese, and
Korean) to report the location and type of discrimination experienced and other details;
and
WHEREAS, A3PCON and CAA plan to use the information reported to create
targeted education and media campaigns, provide resources to those affected, and
advocate for policies to curb racial targeting; and
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WHEREAS, in Santa Clara County, one of the first minority -majority counties in
the nation, Asians have been the largest racial group since 2014, and currently, Asians
make up nearly 38 percent of the county's population; and
WHEREAS, in the City of Mountain View, Asians make up 31 percent of the City's
population;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of
Mountain View that the City Council denounces xenophobia and anti -Asian sentiment.
The City of Mountain View joins cities, counties, and states across the country in
affirming its commitment to the safety and well-being of Asian -Pacific Americans and
in combating hate crimes targeting Asian -Pacific Americans. The City remains
committed to protecting residents and victims of hate.
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The foregoing Resolution was regularly introduced and adopted at a Special
Meeting of the City Council of the City of Mountain View, duly held on the 21st day of
April 2020, by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Clark, Hicks, Matichak, McAlister, Ramirez, Vice
Mayor Kamei, and Mayor Abe-Koga
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ATTEST:
APPROVED:
L A NATUSCH GA ET AB - O
CITY CLERK YO
MAK/ LN/ 6/ RESO
001-04-21-20r
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3 do hereby certify that the foregoing Resolution was
passed and adopted by the City Council of the City of
Mountain View at a Special Meeting held on the 21st
day of April 2020, by the foregoing vote.
Ci erk
City of Mountain View