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HomeMy WebLinkAbout5002-23 A Resolution Decnouncing and Condemning Antisemitism in Every Form RESOLUTION No. 5002-23 Passed by the Common Council of the City of South Bend, Indiana February 27, 20 23 e.; - ,,„„4,) Attest: City Clerk Dawn M. Jones SA\ 4 . m(3)14 cit, Attest; President of Common Council Presented by me to the Mayor of the City of South Bend, Indiana February 28, 20 23 0,,e.„.4) City Clerk Dawn M. Jones Approved and signed by me Ftt rti`'rr 24 20 Z) fibtf . Mayor SUBSTITUTE BILL NO. 23-05 RESOLUTION NO. 5002-23 A RESOLUTION OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA, DENOUNCING AND CONDEMNING ANTISEMITISM AND HATE IN EVERY FORM 6)Kt~ad, antisemitism, including harassment on the basis of actual or perceived Jewish origin, ancestry, ethnicity, identity, affiliation, or faith, remains a persistent, pervasive, and disturbing problem in contemporary American society; and antisemitism is a challenge to the basic principles of tolerance, pluralism, and democracy, and the shared values that bind Americans and many allies together; and O , The Anti-Defamation League's (ADL's) 2021 Audit of Antisemitic Incidents in the United States recorded 2,717 acts of assault, vandalism, and harassment in 2021 alone, an average of more than seven incidents per day; a thirty-four percent increase from 2020 and the highest year of incidents on record since ADL began tracking antisemitic incidents in 1979; and according to the American Jewish Committee's 2021 State of Antisemitism in America report, one in four American Jews has been the target of antisemitism over the past 12 months including verbal or physical attacks, harassment online or on social media; and Oic.,074 discrimination on the basis of religion,race, and ethnicity is unlawful in some circumstances under the South Bend's human rights law, as well as under state and federal law; and 6ifiamas The International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's Working Definition of Antisemitism, including the eleven contemporary examples, adopted by 35 countries, and embraced by the United States under both Republican and Democratic administrations, provides a road map to defining and rooting out antisemitism; and antisemitism frequently charges Jews with conspiring to harm humanity and blames Jews for "why things go wrong." It is expressed in speech, writing, visual forms and action: and employs sinister stereotypes and negative character traits; and GXisemac defining antisemitism increases awareness in the community, leading to better monitoring and reporting, more informed analyses and investigation of incidents in order to enhance public safety and policymaking; and CAC•Asts4 the South Bend Council has consistently condemned antisemitism and committed to combatting all forms of hate and extremism in previous resolutions and statements, and along with the Jewish Federation of St. Joseph Valley and other community partners, works with law enforcement, interfaith and community leaders, and in schools to denounce hatred and bigotry of all kinds; and WQ, the South Bend Common Council is committed to cultivating an inclusive community and ending the spread of hate, bigotry, and harassment based on race, color, religion, national origin, ethnicity, sex, gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, disability, or any other protected characteristic as defined by law; and OXICerea4 the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's Working Definition is intended to be a non- legally binding statement of guidance and an educational tool to help combat antisemitism in South Bend Indiana and nothing in this resolution should be construed to limit any person's right to free speech or political debate which are protected under the First Amendment; and Wmodern forms of antisemitism can manifest through ant-Zionism when denying the Jewish right to existence and self-determination or employing an antisemitic trope, but does not extend to criticism of Israeli government policies or actions; and ora, reexgfim ie It regolcied *dee W50111,11490 ceilanedAtee caeyy•ofmat tiCalana, a4� atf: Section I. The South Bend Common Council adopts the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's Working Definition of Antisemitism, including the eleven contemporary examples, and endorses the use of the working definition as a framework and useful educational tool, among other resources concerning the identification of discrimination rooted in antisemitism and for discussions to address such discrimination: Antisemitism is a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews. Rhetorical and physical manifestations of antisemitism are directed toward Jewish or non-Jewish individuals and/or their property, toward Jewish community institutions and religious facilities. Section II. The South Bend Common Council denounces and condemns antisemitism in all its manifestations. Section III. The South Bend Common Council affirms the Council's ongoing commitment to cultivate an inclusive, safe, and just society and culture that values the diversity of our community, works to ensure equitable opportunities in all major facets of society, and celebrates both our individuality and commonality. Section IV. The South Bend Common Council encourages the local schools to facilitate Holocaust education to discourage antisemitic attitudes. Section V. The South Bend Common Council urges residents to join us by adopting these values in their own lives, calling attention to these harms, and denouncing antisemitism, hate and extremism to help keep us all safe. trovai2?{elaa#gt'.9-Z2023 GAMCk S aron McBride, ouncil President South Bend Common Council ori . Hamann, At Large Council Member Sout e Common Co cil Kar n L. White,At Large Council Member South Bend Common Council -,- ..ii # He Davi , nd :1 .ct Council Member South Bend Common Council e6,6- t ee trit �l Member South Bend Common Council S/k4 IV( C13)4(1u Sharon McBride, ouncil President South Bend Common Council Att et -376. orittei - Dawn M. Jones, City Clerk Office of the City Clerk Presented by me, the undersigned Clerk of the Cit of South Bend, to the Mayor of the City of South Bend, Indiana on the a - day of ri.,,1"""., , , 2023, at // o'clock i/L m. dieteZ 1 Dawn M. Jones, City Clerk Office of the City Clerk Approved and signed by me on the 2b' day of N!'1+7 , 2023, at 5— o'clock f m fri,,,,_____ J es Mueller, Mayor City of South Bend, Indiana