A Declaration of Policy About Human Dignity
by the Huntington Beach City Council
untington Beach is a city whose residents represent every w a l k o f l i f e , c o m e f r o m m a n y n a t i o n s , s h a r e v a r i e d 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 Hunt ington Beach. When acts of hate are committed against any citizen, it is considered an act against the entire community.
H
he Hunt
ington Beach City Council declares that everyone sh ould be treated with courtesy and respect, regardless of their racial background, their nation of origin, the religion th ey practice, their sexual orient ation, 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.
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he 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. 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.
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he 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.
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n support of this declaration, the City Council sends these messages:
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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 a
nd 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."
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o the parents we say, "Act as positive role models for your children by demonstrating tolerance towards those whose race, nationality, religion, sexual orient ation, gender, or disability status may be different from yours. You are the most powerful influence on your children's behavior." To the youn
g 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 in to adulthood and become society's leaders, you will be more effective in the fight to preserve man's humanity toward man."
e must all remember that a great war was fought in which mil lions of innocent people lost' their lives as a result of one of the greatest hate crimes in history. It is the mart yrdom of those people who should serve to encourage all of us in the fight against hate. We must all become activists in th is 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.
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emember that silence and apathy are the greatest allies of those committing ha te crime. If you are a victim or a witness of a hate crime, go to the nearest telephone, cal1 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!
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ogether, 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.
he foregoing declaration of policy about Human dignity was unanimously adopted by the Huntington Beach City Council on May 6, 1996.
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Attachment 2 - 1996 and 2001 Versions
CITY OF HUNTINGTON BEACH• CALIFORNIA
INCORPORATED 1909
Vec{aration of Polley on Jfurnan Vignity
By the Huntington Beach City Counc il
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.
The Huntington Beach City Council declares that everyone should be treated with courtesy and respect, regardless of their actual or perceived racial background, their nation of origin, the religion they practice, their sexual orientation , gender, gender identity or gender expression, or disability status.
It is the right of all residents 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 condemns all hate incidents and hate crimes and will vigorously fight criminal activity related to hate with all of the resources at its disposal.
A hate incident is the behavior that is motivated by hate or bias towards a person's actual or perceived disability , gender , gender identity , or gender expression , nationality , race or ethnicity , religion or sexual orientation but is not criminal in nature. Typically , these behaviors are protected by the First Amendment right to freedom of expression. If this type of behavior escalates to threats or is carried out against a person or property , or becomes an incitement to commit violence , it would be classified as a hate crime.
According to California penal code 422.55, a hate crime is a criminal act committed , in whole or in part, because of one or more of the following actual or perceived characteristics of the victim: disability , gender, gender identity , or gender expression , nationality , race or ethnicity , religion , sexual orientation, or association with a person or group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics. 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.
For hate incidents , and in cases where incarceration or prosecution is not sought or granted, the City Council strongly supports alternatives to carceral punishment , which gives an opportunity to repair harm within the community where and if possible.
In support of this declaration, the City Council sends these messages :
To the Community
To the community we say, "Believe in the value of interdependence of all people . Every member of our community has the right to be treated with dignity and it is our collective responsibility to ensure this is normalized behavior ; Participate at your places of worship community meetings, and wherever you are; lend your voice in opposing hate." To the Schools
To the schools we say, "Continue fostering safe environments of learning and care. Encourage curiosity and keep developing programs and curricula that promote respect, inclusion, and acceptance towards all. Call on resources of the city, the county, the state, and the nation as you engage in the educational process to combat hate." To the Parents
To the parents we say, "Act as positive role models for your children by demonstrating inclusion and acceptance of those whose race, nationality , religion , sexual orientation , gender, gender identity, or gender expression, or disability status may be different from yours.
You are the most powerful influence on your children's behavior." To the Youth
To the youth we say, "Educate yourself to the ways of the world and the lessons of history. Develop sensitivity towards 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 our humanity." Do not ignore history. What we do should be a monument to all who have lost their lives because of hatred. We must all become activists in this battle as a living memorial.
Remember that silence and apathy are the greatest allies of those committing hate crimes and initiating hate incidents. If you are a victim or a witness of a hate crime or hate incident , call 9-1-1, 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 residents of our city. You are not alone! Together , the city of Huntington Beach and its residents will promote a city that welcomes all and vigilantly protects against hate crimes and hate incidents. The Huntington Beach City Council declares that it will not tolerate any hate crimes or hate incidents in our community.
The previous Declaration of Policy about Human Dignity was unanimously adopted by the Huntington Beach City Council on May 6, 1996 in response to brutal hate crimes in Huntington Beach resulting in the murder of Vernon Flournoy and attempted murder of George Mondragon by members of white supremacist groups.
The matter of hate incidents and hate crimes , which are numerous and pernicious , do much to degrade the quality of life for all in our community.
Now known as Declaration of Policy on Huma ~t was adopted by the Huntington Beach City Council on November 16, 2021.
Kim Carr, Mayor
Erik Peterson , City Council Member