Fremont City Council Meeting: 12/20/22 07:00 PM
3300 Capitol Avenue Div/Dept: City Council
Fremont, CA 94538 Category: Council Referrals & Appointments
SCHEDULED
Sponsors:
COUNCIL STAFF REPORT (ID # 4781) DOC ID: 4781
Updated: 12/14/2022 4:35 PM by Susan Gauthier Page 1
COUNCILMEMBER COX REFERRAL: Request for a Flag Raising Ceremony to Celebrate Black History Month in February 2023 and Beyond Contact Persons:
Name: Teresa Cox
Title: Councilmember
Div/Dept: City Council
Phone: 510-284-4007
E-Mail: [email protected]
COUNCILMEMBER COX REFERRAL: Requests City Staff prepare for and conduct a Flag Raising Ceremony to Celebrate Black History Month in February 2023 and Beyond.
City of Fremont has never held a flag raising ceremony in honor of Black History Month since it was established in 1956.
The State of California Assembly, Alameda County, and the White House recognize that African-Americans have played a significant role in the history of our nation and have made numerous invaluable contributions to all parts of the United States and to California’s economic, cultural, spiritual, business, education, politics, science, medicine, the arts, and more while working tirelessly to promote their culture and history, fight against racism, and advance the cause of civil rights; and
In 1976, Black History Month was formally adopted to honor and affirm the importance of Black History throughout our American experience and is full of individuals who took a stance against prejudice, advanced the cause of civil rights, strengthened families, communities, and our nation; and
Americans of African descent helped develop our City of Fremont’s honor, strength, and distinction that can be attributed to the determined spirit of perseverance and diversity of cultures and traditions that are celebrated by our residents; and
The City of Fremont understands that African Americans have endured egregious discrimination and bigotry throughout the course of our Nation’s history, conflicting with the core values of the City of Fremont; and
The City of Fremont adopted a Compassionate City Charter in 2016 in a commitment to treat all people with justice, equity and respect in an effort to break down political, dogmatic, ideological and religious boundaries; and
The City of Fremont reaffirms a zero-tolerance policy on discrimination or anti-hate or harassment, as required by the United States and California Constitutions, and will pursue and investigate all incidents of hate crimes, personal violence, and offenses motivated through bias; and
Council Staff Report (ID # 4781) Meeting of December 20, 2022 Updated: 12/14/2022 4:35 PM by Susan Gauthier Page 2
City of Fremont takes pride in and celebrates our diversity and works to foster the common values and commitments that unite all people, regardless of age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, cultural heritage, national origin, citizenship status, disability, physical attributes, socio-economic status, gender, race, or personal views on religion; and
Black History Month calls on our collective need to recognize and combat racism, and to continue to build a community that embraces all ages, races, religions, and genders; and
Black History Month is American History; and is a time where all citizens are encouraged to reflect on past successes and challenges of Black communities.
RECOMMENDATION: Direct staff to prepare for and conduct a Flag Raising Ceremony in honor of Black History Month starting in February 2023 and annually thereafter to show support and foster the common values and commitments that unite all people against all forms of racism, discrimination, harassment, hatred, violence directed at racial and ethnic minorities. Black History Month is a time to look to the future to improve society so that we live up to the ideals of freedom, equality, and justice.