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File #: 20-1714 MEETING DATE: 6/15/2020
Item Submitted by Councilmember Carr -- Consideration of Reaffirming the City's
Commitment to the Declaration of Policy About Human Dignity
In an effort to unify our Huntington Beach community, I am requesting that the City Council vote to
reaffirm the City's commitment to its Declaration of Policy About Human Dignity.
City of Huntington Beach Page 1 of 1 Printed on 6/10/2020
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CITY OF HUNTINGTON BEACH
CITY COUNCIL MEETING—COUNCIL MEMBER ITEMS REPORT
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
FROM: KIM CARR, CITY COUNCIL MEMBER
DATE: JUNE 15, 2020
SUBJECT: CONSIDERATION OF REAFFIRMING THE CITY'S COMMITMENT TO THE DECLARATION
OF POLICY ABOUT HUMAN DIGNITY
In 1996, the City Council adopted A Declaration of Policy About Human Dignity (Declaration), which
was developed in response to hate crime incidents that occurred in Huntington Beach. The
Declaration was intended to coalesce the community around the concept of human dignity and
equal-rights-for-all as primary building blocks in the effort to build a better, more inclusive City.
The City Council unanimously reaffirmed its commitment to the Declaration in 2006 and again in
2017. Today, in light of the divisions that are being exposed across the country in the aftermath of
the George Floyd tragedy, I would like to recommend that the City Council once again reaffirm its
commitment to the Declaration.
In particular, the Declaration states the following:
• "The Huntington Beach City Council declares that everyone should be treated with courtesy
and respect, regardless of their racial background, their nation of origin, the religion they
practice, their sexual orientation, gender or disability status."
• "The Huntington Beach City Council states in the strongest terms that it will vigorously fight
criminal activity known as 'hate crime'with all of the resources at its disposal."
• "The City Council warns those who advocate or perpetrate hate not to test the community's
resolve to oppose them."
• "Remember that silence and apathy are the greatest allies of those committing hate crime."
RECOMMENDED ACTION
In an effort to unify our Huntington Beach community, I am requesting that the City Council vote to
reaffirm the City's commitment to its Declaration of Policy About Human Dignity.
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A Declaration of Policy About Human Dignity
by the Huntington Beach City Council
Huntington Beach is a city whose residents represent every walk of life, come from many nations, share varied
lifestyles,and hold different religious beliefs.This diversity brings to our city a rich and varied cultural heritage.Our
citizens honor and respect the diversity that exists in Huntington Beach. When acts of hate are committed against any
citizen,it is considered an act against the entire community.
T
e Huntington Beach City Council declares that everyone should be treated with courtesy and respect, regardless of
heir racial background, their nation of origin, the religion they practice, their sexual orientation, gender or disability
status. It is the right of all citizens to pursue their daily lives with the knowledge that they will not be physically harmed
or verbally abused.
The Huntington Beach City Council states in the strongest terms that it will vigorously fight criminal activity known as
The
crime" with all of the resources at its disposal. A hate crime is any criminal or attempted criminal act which is
motivated by the victim's race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, gender or disability status. It may involve a verbal,
written,or physical action that is intended to create emotional suffering,physical harm or property damage.
The City Council warns those who advocate or perpetrate hate not to test the community's resolve to oppose them. It is
the city's stated policy to vigorously pursue a course of investigation, apprehension, prosecution, conviction, and
incarceration of all those who participate in hate crimes.
In support of this declaration,the City Council sends these messages:
To the community we say, " Believe in the interdependence of all people. Participate at your places of
worship and community meetings and lend your voice in opposing hate."
To the schools we say, "Continue your programs and curricula which promote respect towards those who
are different. Call on resources of the city, the county, the state, and the nation as you engage in the
educational process to battle hate."
To the parents we say, "Act as positive role models for your children by demonstrating tolerance towards
those whose race, nationality, religion, sexual orientation, gender, or disability status may be different
from yours. You are the most powerful influence on your children's behavior."
To the young people we say, " Educate yourself to the ways of the world and the lessons of history.
Develop sensitivity toward the feelings of others. Thus, as you grow into adulthood and become society's
leaders, you will be more effective in the fight to preserve man's humanity toward man."
We must all remember that a great war was fought in which millions of innocent people lost' their lives as a result of
one of the greatest hate crimes in history. It is the martyrdom of those people who should serve to encourage all of
us in the fight against hate. We must all become activists in this battle as a living memorial to those who lost their lives.
Let us not forget the millions who came before,who but for the absence of strong opposition at an early time,would have
lived long,happy,and productive lives.
Remember that silence and apathy are the greatest allies of those committing hate crime. If you are a victim or a
witness of a hate crime, go to the nearest telephone, call 911, and say "I want to report a hate crime." With those
seven words, you will instantly have as an ally the full resources of the city of Huntington Beach and the nearly 200,000
citizens of our city.You are not alone!
Together, the city of Huntington Beach and its citizens will succeed in their efforts to permanently eliminate all hate
crimes.The Huntington Beach City Council declares that it will not tolerate any hate crimes in our community.
The foregoing declaration of policy about Human dignity was unanimously adopted by the Huntington Beach City
Council on May 6,1996.
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Switzer, Donna
From: Stephen Einstein <Rebgiraffe@aol.com>
Sent: Sunday,June 14, 2020 5:22 PM
To: supplementalcomm@surfcity-hb.org
Subject: Items 24 and 2S
Dear Council Members,
write to you as a Founder and Past President of the Greater Huntington Beach Interfaith Council. You may recall that
our Interfaith Council was established, at the request of the HB City Council,as a follow-up to a vicious hate crime In the
city.Our role,through the years, has been to speak out in favor of understanding and appreciation of our fellow human
beings, regardless of their backgrounds.
In light of the rise in hate we have witnessed over the past months, it is imperative that the City of Huntington Beach
reaffirm its commitment to human dignity. It is also right that the Council speak out clearly concerning the death of
George Floyd in Minneapolis.
I,therefore, urge an affirmative vote on Items 24 and 25.
Respectfully yours,
SJ E
Rabbi Stephen J. Einstein, DHL, DD
He/him/his
HaRav Shalom Ya'akov ben Shaya Zalman v'Zelda Founding Rabbi Emeritus Congregation B'nai Tzedek Fountain Valley,
CA
"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men (i.e., people)to do nothing."
Edmund Burke
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Switzer, Donna
From: Patricia Goodman <patgoodman@yahoo.com>
Sent: Sunday,June 14, 2020 8:07 PM
To: supplementalcomm@surfcity-hb.org
Subject: Please Approve Agenda Items 24 and 2S
Dear Mayor Semeta and City Council,
Please affirm the City's commitment to human dignity by approving agenda item#24 and read the document out load
for the minutes. Also agenda item#25 is necessary in these times of police violence in our world regardless of whether
it is one officer or the entire force and hatred in our city toward homeless people. Sadly,we need to remind ourselves
of these values we cherish. They are aspirationaI but make us proud to live in Huntington Beach.
Sincerely,
Patricia Goodman
Huntington Beach
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