APPROVED AS TO FORM AND LEGALITY ________________________ CITY ATTORNEY’S OFFICE OAKLAND CITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION NO. _______________ C.M.S. INTRODUCED BY CITY COUNCIL PRESIDENT NIKKI FORTUNATO BAS, AND COUNCILMEMBER DAN KALB RESOLUTION 1) CONDEMNING THE ONGOING VIOLENCE THE GOVERNMENT OF IRAN IS CARRYING OUT AGAINST IRANIAN AND KURDISH WOMEN AND AGAINST PEACEFUL PROTESTORS, AND 2) COMMENDING AND URGING THE EXPANSION OF UNITED STATES MEDIA COVERAGE TO HIGHLIGHT THE STRUGGLES OF IRANIAN AND KURDISH-IRANIAN PEOPLE 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 DEPARTMENT OF STATE TO IMMEDIATELY CREATE EMERGENCY IMMIGRATION OPPORTUNITIES AND REFORM IMMIGRATION PROCESSES FOR IRANIAN CITIZENS, KURDISH RESIDENTS OF IRAN, AND THOSE 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 uprisings 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 oppressive 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 territories 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 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 reaction 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 within 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 against Iran, foreign aid, including access to communication technology and platforms, is legally and logistically challenging to directly reach or support Iran; and
3 WHEREAS, there are many Iranians and Kurdish residents 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 policies, have made it nearly impossible for Iranians to emigrate to or enter into the United States for any reason; and 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 the City of Oakland commends the news and media outlets within the city, within the Greater Bay Area, within California, and within the United States who willfully choose to highlight the struggles of the Iranian and Kurdish-Iranian people within Iran, and urges all news and media outlets to continue or begin such coverage; 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 lift or ease restrictions that prohibit or make challenging the flow of foreign aid to Iran, including the lifting, or easing of restrictions on providing technology related to digital communications to Iran that could aid the Iranian people to communicate within Iran, and to communicate with those outside of Iran; and be it
4 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, perpetrators 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 requests that the United States Department of State urgently create a pathway for emergency humanitarian visas to be immediately available to Iranian citizens, Kurdish 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 3226091v1/RGR