APPROVED AS TO FORM AND LEGALITY
___________________________
CITY ATTORNEY’S OFFICE
OAKLAND CITY COUNCIL
RESOLUTION NO. ______________ C.M.S.
INTRODUCED BY COUNCILMEMBERS WANG, BROWN, AND RAMACHANDRAN
RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING MAY 2026 AS ASIAN AMERICAN,
NATIVE HAWAIIAN, AND PACIFIC ISLANDER (AANHPI) HERITAGE
MONTH IN THE CITY OF OAKLAND AND HONORING ASIAN
AMERICANS WHO CONTRIBUTE TO THE CULTURE AND VIBRANCY
OF OAKLAND
WHEREAS, Asian Americans make up a diverse group of communities from the entire Asian continent, including East, Southeast and South Asia, the Pacific Islands of Melanesia, Micronesia, and Polynesia, and Native Hawaiians – together these groups make up about 7 percent of the total U.S. population; and
WHEREAS, AANHPI people have had a long history in the United States, from Filipinos escaping forced labor and enslavement in the 16th century, to migrating to the West Coast to work in gold mines and factories during the California Gold Rush of the 1850’s; to refugees from Southeast Asia coming to the United States to escape war, violence, and economic hardship during the 1970’s; and
WHEREAS, AANHPI month is celebrated during the month of May and was designated starting in 1978 to both commemorate the immigration of the first Japanese to the U.S. on May 7, 1843, and the completion of the transcontinental railroad on May 10, 1869, which was built primarily by Chinese immigrant workers; and
WHEREAS, since 1991, communities across the United States have celebrated the contributions and influence of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and other Pacific Islander American communities in the month of May; and
WHEREAS, in the history of the United States, Asian Americans have suffered mistreatment, xenophobia, and racism, despite their deep history working to make this country better, from the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882, to the Japanese internment camps durin g World War II, to an increase in anti-Asian hate crimes during the COVID-19 pandemic; and WHEREAS, in response to anti-Asian violence, advocacy organizations and grassroots coalitions have responded, spearheading efforts to prevent discrimination and harassment and work toward justice and equity in the AANHPI community in California and beyond; and WHEREAS, today we honor Asian American leaders who have positively impacted Oakland’s economy, culture, and vibrancy with their dedication and resilience; and
2 WHEREAS, in spite of President Donald Trump eliminating federal recognition of AANHPI month, revoking DEI initiatives across the nation, and officially renouncing all efforts to honor the contributions of diverse communities across our country, Oakland con tinues to stand committed to celebrating our diverse ethnic populations and lifting up the significant contributions of Asian Americans to our city; now therefore, be it
RESOLVED: That the City of Oakland celebrates Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month in the City of Oakland and Honoring Asian Americans who contribute to the culture and vibrancy of Oakland.
AYES - BROWN, FIFE, GALLO, HOUSTON, RAMACHANDRAN, UNGER, WANG, AND
PRESIDENT JENKINS
NOES –
ABSENT –
ABSTENTION –
ATTEST:
ASHA REED
City Clerk and Clerk of the Council of the
City of Oakland, California