DATE: June 7, 2022
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
FROM: Dominic Lazzaretto, City Manager
By: Michael Bruckner, Deputy City Manager
SUBJECT: RESOLUTION NO. 7445 CONDEMNING ACTS OF HATE AND
VIOLENCE AGAINST ASIAN AMERICAN AND PACIFIC ISLANDER
COMMUNITIES
Recommendation: Adopt
SUMMARY
Arcadia is a diverse community that is made of many different ethnic groups, including a very substantial Asian American and Pacific Islander (“AAPI”) majority. Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, acts of hate and violence against the AAPI community have increased nationwide. The City of Arcadia desires to end all of acts and hate, racism, and violence against AAPI communities. Therefore, it is recommended that the City Council adopt Resolution No. 7445 condemning all acts of hate and violence against Asian American and Pacific Islander Communities.
DISCUSSION
The City of Arcadia is home to a vibrant and diverse community, and the cultural richness and resilience of Arcadia is based in its diversity. Residents of AAPI decent make up over 60% of the Arcadia community and represent 15% of Los Angeles County.
Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, acts of hate and violence against AAPI communities have increased. Recent statistics from the Federal Bureau of Investigations (“FBI”) in 2020 show a 73% in hate crimes nationwide directed at AAPI communities, and the Los Angeles County Commission on Human Relations reported an increase of 76% in local crimes over the same period. It has been reported that may AAPI directed hate crimes are under-reported due to linguistic and cultural barriers, immigration status, unfamiliarity with the criminal justice system, and fear that reporting hate crimes could bring retaliation.
Resolution No. 7445 Condemning Acts of Hate and Violence June 7, 2022
The City of Arcadia desires to end all acts of hate, racism, and violence, and condemns all atrocities against the AAPI community, including the most recent attack at the Taiwanese Presbyterian Church in Laguna Woods. There is no place for hate, racism, and violence in Arcadia. If Arcadia residents believe they have been a victim of a hate crime, please immediately report them to law enforcement, including the Arcadia Police Department by calling (626) 574-5123.
ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS
The proposed action does not constitute a project under the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”), and it can be seen with certainty that it will have no impact on the environment. Thus, this matter is exempt under CEQA.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no impact to the General Fund with the adoption of this Resolution.
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council determine that this action does not constitute a project and is therefore, exempt under, the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”); and adopt Resolution No. 7445 condemning acts of hate and violence against Asian American and Pacific Islander communities.
Attachment: Resolution No. 7445