Mayor Olsen has signed a proclamation to affirm that hate, violence and bias are not accepted here and calls on all of us to support the Asian American and Pacific Islander community. Each of us has a personal responsibility to prevent the spread of misinformation, condemn violent acts in any form, support all fellow community members, and reject stigma, hate and bias in all its forms.
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WHEREAS, Bothell is home to a diverse community with a large percentage of our population identifying as Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI), a group that has contributed and continues to contribute to our country’s progress, culture and success; and
WHEREAS, there has been a documented regional and nationwide trend of increased discrimination, hate and violence against Asian Americans, from young adults to our most vulnerable elderly, exacerbated by false narratives and xenophobia around the coronavirus; and
WHEREAS, these ongoing and reprehensible displays of hate have often gone unnoticed and unreported, perpetuating a model minority myth that Asians will be complacent and stay silent, even when being targeted and harmed; and
WHEREAS, hate, violence and bias are not accepted in our community especially when targeting or scapegoating individuals based on their race and identity; and
WHEREAS, the Bothell City Council looks forward to recognizing and celebrating our AAPI community during national Heritage Month in May, we are acutely reminded that our diversity is a key strength for the city and our character, and that we are a community where everyone should feel safe and welcome; and
WHEREAS, each of us has a personal responsibility to prevent the spread of misinformation, condemn violent acts in any form, support all fellow community members, and reject stigma, hate and bias in all its forms; and
WHEREAS, there is an urgent need for the community at large to support the AAPI community, stand together against anti-Asian violence, and report incidents of hate and bias, especially as we continue to recover together from the impacts of COVID-19;
NOW THEREFORE, I, Liam Olsen, Mayor of Bothell, and on behalf of the City Council, strongly condemn anyviolence and hate towards the AAPI community, and do hereby proclaim our renewed and ongoing commitment to be a diverse community free from racism so all those in Bothell feel safe and welcomed, and urge everyone to interrupt instances of racism and intolerance by speaking up in support of equity, justice and inclusion.
Signed this 19th day of March, 2021