Fiscal Note
No appropriation required.
Title
Condemning the insurrection and violence that occurred at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC on January 6, 2021, calling for a peaceful transition of power on January 20, 2021 and condemning hate and extremism.
Body
WHEREAS, the City of Madison Mayor and Common Council congratulates President-elect Joseph R. Biden, Jr. on his election as the 46th president of the United States of America; and,
WHEREAS, the City of Madison Mayor and Common Council congratulates Vice-President-Elect Kamala Harris as the first woman, first African American, and first Asian American elected as vice president of the United States of America; and,
WHEREAS, the Mayor and Common Council honors and upholds the First Amendment of the Constitution of the United States giving the people of the United States of America the right to peaceably assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances; and,
WHEREAS, the Mayor and Common Council strongly condemns the lawless actions of violence and destruction against our government, elected officials, government staff, and our law enforcement bodies as witnessed on January 6, 2021 in our nation's capital and at our U.S. Capitol building, which were encouraged by President Donald Trump, and resulted in the loss of five lives, in an attempt to stop the democratic process of certifying the election of President-elect Joseph R. Biden, Jr.; and,
WHEREAS, the Mayor and Common Council calls for an end to such insurrection and violence; and,
WHEREAS, the United States of America shall continue to serve as a strong model of Democracy around the world,
WHEREAS, the city of Madison is committed to defending democratic institutions, the integrity of our elections, and the security of people and facilities that carry out the democratic process; and,
WHEREAS, the city of Madison is committed to 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,
WHEREAS, the city of Madison wishes to affirm its commitment to the well-being and safety of all of its community members and to ensure that they will be protected and their rights respected; and,
WHEREAS, each of our elected leaders has the ability and obligation to promote inclusiveness; celebrate diversity; work to ensure equitable opportunities in all major facets of society; prevent the spread of misinformation and disinformation; and reject hate and bias in all forms and should set a positive example for their constituents in this regard; and,
WHEREAS, the January 6, 2021 domestic terrorism incident at our nation’s Capitol does not reflect the values of the city of Madison; and,
WHEREAS, the Anti Defamation League’s (ADL) report on Murder and Extremism in the United States in 2019 found that domestic extremists killed at least 42 people in the United States in 17 separate incidents in 2019, making 2019 the sixth deadliest year on record for domestic extremist-related killings since 1970; and,
WHEREAS, the ADL report found that the extremist-related murders of 2019 were overwhelmingly (90%) linked to right-wing extremists, with all but one of the incidents tied to right-wing extremism, and 81% of extremist-related murders in 2019 committed by white supremacists specifically; and,
WHEREAS, the city of Madison supports the peaceful exercise of free speech, free assembly, and freedom to worship safely for all people; and,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the city of Madison:
- Affirms its ongoing commitment to cultivating an inclusive, safe, and just society and culture - including within the city of Madison operations and institutions - 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.
- Denounces the January 6, 2021 domestic terrorism incident at our nation’s Capitol.
- Denounces anti-government extremism, white supremacy, racism, antisemitism, misogyny, Islamophobia, anti-LGBTQ+ hate, ableism, and all hateful speech and bias-motivated violent actions in our community.
- Denounces extremist conspiracy theories, misinformation, and disinformation that cultivate an alienated and mistrustful electorate, undermine democratic institutions and processes, and increase the likelihood of violence.
- Denounces attempts to exploit governmental procedure and basic government functions for personal political gain.
- Commits to fostering an environment within the city of Madison operations and institutions that does not tolerate anti-government extremist, white supremacist, racist, antisemitic, misogynist, Islamophobic, anti-LGBTQ+, ableist, and other hateful speech and actions.
- Commits to countering hate and extremism through engagement with community leaders, governmental transparency and public information-sharing regarding efforts to fight extremism, and the investigation and prosecution of those who commit criminal acts, consistent with civil liberties protections.
- Urges residents to join us by adopting these values in their own lives, calling attention to these harms, and denouncing hate and extremism to help keep us all safe; and,
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED by the Mayor and the Common Council of the City of Madison call for the peaceful transition of power to the duly elected 46th president of the United States of America Joseph R. Biden, Jr. on January 20, 2021.