APPROVED AS TO FORM AND LEGALITY
________________________
CITY ATTORNEY’S OFFICE
OAKLAND CITY COUNCIL
RESOLUTION NO. _______________ C.M.S.
INTRODUCED BY CITY PRESIDENT NIKKI FORTUNATO BAS, AND
COUNCILMEMBER DAN KALB
RESOLUTION 1) CONDEMNING THE ONGOING VIOLENCE THE
GOVERNMENT OF IRAN IS CARRYING OUT AGAINST THE PEOPLE,
THE WOMEN, AND THE ETHNIC MINORITIES OF IRAN AND
AGAINST PEACEFUL PROTESTORS, AND 2) COMMENDING AND
URGING THE EXPANSION OF UN ITED STATES MEDIA COVERAGE
TO HIGHLIGHT THE STRUGGLES OF IRANIAN PEOPLE, KURDISH-
IRANIAN PEOPLE, AND OTHER ETHNIC AND RELIGOUS GROUPS
WITHIN IRAN, AND 3) CALLING FOR THE EMERGENCY REMOVAL
OR EASING OF SPECIFIC SANCTIONS IN ORDER TO FACILITATE
FOREIGN AID AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY TO BE
DIRECTLY PROVIDED TO IRANIANS AND TO VICTIMS’ FAMILIES, AND 4) CALLING ON THE IMMEDIATE FREEZING OF ASSETS AND
VISAS FOR PERPETRATORS OF STATE SANCTIONED VIOLENCE IN
IRAN, AND 5) CALLING ON UNITED STATES DEPAR TMENT OF
STATE TO IMMEDIATELY CREATE EMERGENCY IMMIGRATION
OPPORTUNITIES AND REFORM IMMIGRATION PROCESSES FOR
IRANIAN CITIZENS, ETHNIC AND RELIGIOUS MINORITIES IN
IRAN, AND THO SE IN DANGER OF POLITICAL PERSECUTION TO
OBTAIN EMERGENCY HUMANITARIAN VISAS TO ENTER INTO
THE UNITED STATES.
WHEREAS, the nation of Iran has a complex history; and
WHEREAS, there has been a history of oppression of women and ethnic minorities in Iran through the creation of the Islamic Republic and the 1979 revolution, continuing in parallel with a strong history of resistance, especially resistance organized by women and ethnic minorities; and
2 WHEREAS, there has been continued social unrest and upris ings among the people of Iran over the past 43 years, routinely quelled through state sanctioned violence, imprisonment, and oppression of protesters and any assumed to be affiliated with them, including their families and friends; and
WHEREAS, the oppres sive Islamic Republic has implemented rules to control the freedom, autonomy, access, and the very existence of women and ethnic minorities, including strict rules concerning attire and presentation, enforced at random and by force through various police forces, with no consequences for the actions of the forces, regardless of the harm caused; and
WHEREAS, the Iranian government has consistently cast blame externally for internal discord, including targeting Kurdish regions within Iran, and targeting other ethnic and religious minorities with violence and bombings to distract from the unrest caused by their oppressive policies; and
WHEREAS, on September 16, 2022, Jhina Mahsa Amini was visiting Tehran from Kurdish territories within Iran where she was arrested and taken into custody by the Islamic Morality Police (Gashte Ershad) for wearing her hijab improperly according to the complete authority of the arresting officer and with no need for proof or accountability, and was later killed while in police custody; and
WHEREAS, in the strong tradition of Kurdish female resistance, protests broke out at her funeral and quickly spread throughout the country leading to massive social unrest within Iran, at levels unseen since 1979; and
WHEREAS, in reac tion to the social unrest, the government of Iran has reacted with ruthlessness, violence, and massive force, beating and imprisoning hundreds and thousands of civilians, including children, and shutting off access to media, journalists, and internet withi n the country; and
WHEREAS, international awareness and media coverage has heightened, and such awareness provides motivation and solidarity to the movement and the protesters, and keeps international attention on the actions of the Iranian government; and
WHEREAS, due to ongoing United States economic sanctions agiant Iran, foreign aid, including access to communication technology and platforms, is legally and logistically challenging to directly reach or support Iran; and
WHEREAS, there are many Irania ns and ethnic and religious minorities in Iran facing ongoing political, are in danger, and are in need of asylum; and
WHEREAS, decades of United States Department of State immigration policy, exacerbated by the Trump administration’s pol icies, have made it nearly impossible for Iranians to emigrate to or enter into the United States for any reason; and
3 WHEREAS, the international community wishes to support the people of Iran by raising up their voices, sharing in their bravery, and offering them solidarity throughout the world; and
WHEREAS, the people of Iran need as much international support as possible; and
WHEREAS, the City of Oakland stands in solidarity with the women and people of Iran; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED: That the City of Oakland condemns the ongoing use of violence by the Islamic Republic of Iran to suppress peaceful protestors and political opposition; and be it
FURTHER RESOLVED: That th e City of Oakland commends the news and media outlets within the City, w ithin the Greater Bay Area, within California, and within the United States who willfully choose to highlight the struggles of the Iranian people and of ethnic and religious minorities within Iran, and urges all news and media outlet s to c ontinue or begin such coverage; and be it
FURTHER RESOLVED: That t he City of Oakland requests the Office of Foreign Assets Control of t he United States Department of the Treasury to temporarily ease restrictions that prohibit or make challeng ing the flow of foreign aid to Iran ian NGOs, specifically easing of restrictions on providing technology related to digital communications to Iran that could aid the Iranian people to communicate with each other within Iran, and t o communic ate with those outside of Iran; and be it
FURTHER RESOLVED: That the City of Oakland requests the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the United States Department of the Treasury to immediately freeze the assets of, and restrict visas to, perp etrators of state sanctioned violence in Iran, including government officials and their families, and those in the Iranian ruling class who support perpetrators of state sanctioned violence in Iran; and be it
FURTHER RESOLVED: That the City of Oakland req uests that the United States Department of State urgently create a pathway for emergency humanitarian visas to be immediately available to Iranian citizens, Kurdish and other ethnic and religious minority residents in Iran, and those in Iran in danger of political persecution.
IN COUNCIL, OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA,
PASSED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE:
AYES - FIFE, GALLO, KALB, KAPLAN, REID, TAYLOR, THAO AND
PRESIDENT FORTUNATO BAS
NOES –
ABSENT –
ABSTENTION –
ATTEST:
ASHA REED
City Clerk and Clerk of the Council of the
City of Oakland, California
3226091v3/RGR