Cupertino Stands in Solidarity with the Asian and Pacific Islander Community
On March 16, 2021 the Cupertino City Council unanimously approved a resolution to stand in solidarity with the Asian and Pacific Islander community. See the resolution below:
WHEREAS, the Asian Pacific Policy and Planning Council and Chinese for Affirmative Action launched a hate incident-reporting internet website, titled “Stop Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Hate,” at the beginning of the COVID-19 outbreak in March of 2020; and
WHEREAS, the Stop AAPI Hate reporting center documented over 2,800 hate incidents against the Asian and Pacific Islander community in 2020; and
WHEREAS, over 700 of these incidents occurred in the Bay Area of California; and
WHEREAS, racism against the Asian and Pacific Islander community has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic; and
WHEREAS, as a community, we should all stand against racism, prejudice, and hate crimes against any member of our community, as this runs counter to our shared democratic values, and as such behavior against one diminishes all of us; and
WHEREAS, on January 30, 2021, 84-year-old Vicha Ratanapakdee, a nearly-blind and gentle elderly Thai man, died from injuries resulting from an attack while he was walking in the City of San Francisco, in what is deemed as a hate crime; and
WHEREAS, on January 31, 2021, three elderly Asian Americans were assaulted in the City of Oakland’s Chinatown District, including a 91-year-old Asian man who sustained serious injuries, such as lacerations, abrasions, and a contusion to the left thumb, in what is deemed a hate crime; and
WHEREAS, about 31% of Asian Americans report having been subject to discrimination since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a Pew Research Center report; and
WHEREAS, Cupertino is blessed to be a multiracial community, and we decided long ago that mutual understanding and respect develops a much healthier, safer, and caring community; and WHEREAS, it is important to acknowledge that the Asian and Pacific Islander community is made up of people from various socioeconomic backgrounds, and many face significant financial struggles; and
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% of the county’s population; and
WHEREAS, in the City of Cupertino, Asians make up 64% of the City’s population; and
WHEREAS, it is important for the community as a whole to stand in solidarity with the Asian and Pacific Islander communities across the country.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council does hereby affirm its commitment to stand in solidarity with the Asian and Pacific Islander community and resolves as follows:
1. The City of Cupertino denounces hate crimes, hateful rhetoric, and hateful acts; and does not tolerate discrimination, xenophobia, or harassment; and
2. The City of Cupertino will oppose any attempts to undermine the safety, security, and rights of members of our community and will work proactively to ensure the rights and privileges of everyone in the City—regardless of race; and
3. The City of Cupertino will promote safety, a sense of security, and equal protection of constitutional and human rights, leading by example through equitable treatment of all by City officials and departments; and
4. The City of Cupertino encourages the community to stand together in affirming its commitment to the safety and well-being of the Asian and Pacific Islander community in Cupertino, California, and our country.
PASSED AND ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Cupertino this 16th day of March, 2021, by the following vote:
Mayor Darcy Paul Vice Mayor Liang Chao Councilmember Jon Willey Councilmember Hung Wei Councilmember Kitty Moore
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