TO: RULES AND OPEN FROM: Vice Mayor Chappie Jones
GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE
SUBJECT: RESOLUTIONS DENOUNCING DATE: December 1, 2022
HATE CRIMES & ISLAMOPHOBIA
__________________
Approved Date: December 1, 2022
RECOMMENDATION
Schedule the attached resolutions denouncing hate crimes and Islamophobia for approval on the City Council Agenda of December 13, 2022.
BACKGROUND
The Cities Association of Santa Clara County is a member organization funded by the 15 cities of Santa Clara County, including the City of San José, and recently adopted two resolutions, one condemning hate crimes and one denouncing Islamophobia, at their November 10, 2022 Board of Directors Meeting. In adopting these resolutions, it was requested for each member city to consider adoption within its own jurisdiction.
As part of the organization’s policy priority on Racial Justice, the mentioned resolutions were adopted by the organization as an anti-racist stance and its intolerance for hate against any and all groups, and Islamophobia, which is a form of anti-Muslim racism. Adopting these resolutions further affirms the City of San José’s anti-racist stance against hate crimes and its solidarity with Muslim communities across the City, upholding their safety and rights, and condemns any bigotry, bias, or acts of violence against them, and especially all acts that are predicated on religious intolerance and other racisms, including anti-Black racism, antisemitism, and other forms of bigotry.
Considering hate crimes in San José have increased by 500% from 2016 to 2021 and San José is home to thousands of Muslims and several mosques, including Evergreen Islamic Center, South Bay Islamic Association, and Blossom Valley Muslim Community Center, the proposed resolutions are in accordance with governing Council Policy 0-11 and “give special recognition to local issues, actions, and/or programs of value to the citizens of San José.” We are committed to fighting ignorance with education, to meeting inaction with action, creating safe spaces for fostering understanding, and implementing policies promoting cultural competency, awareness, and appreciation of our Muslim communities.
RULES COMMITTEE: 12/07/22
ITEM: C.4
RESOLUTION NO. ______________
A RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN JOSE CONDEMING HATE CRIMES
Whereas, the State of California describes “hate crime” as various crimes against a person, group or property motivated by the victim’s real or perceived race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, disability, gender or sexual orientation, or because there is a perception the person has one or more of those characteristics; and Whereas, hate crimes are dramatically increasing in the United States and in San José by 500% from 2016 to 2021, but many victims of hate crimes are reluctant to report these crimes for a variety of reasons including but not limited to fear of repercussion, frustration that the crime will not be investigated and feelings of isolation and danger in the targeted community; and
Whereas, racism and violence are the antithesis of the fundamental rights of Americans, and it is the responsibility of local, state and federal government to protect people and their property; and
Whereas, justice, tolerance, diversity, inclusivity and equity are values shared by the cities of Santa Clara County; and
Whereas, words alone condemning hate crimes are insufficient to competently and satisfactorily address the problem of hate crimes in San José.
Now Therefore, Be It Resolved that the City of San José unequivocally condemns hate crimes and expressions of racism and hate against any and all groups, and encourages actionable steps towards:
1. Conducting vigorous and timely investigation and prosecution of hate crimes;
2. Improving the reporting of hate crimes and other hateful incidents, such as microaggressions, by encouraging victims of hate crimes to come forward;
3. Holding perpetrators of hate crimes accountable and bringing them to justice;
4. Creating greater awareness of all forms of hate speech, threats and violence in both governmental agencies and the community.
2 ADOPTED this _____ day of ___________, 2022, by the following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
DISQUALIFIED:
________________________________________
SAM LICCARDO
Mayor
ATTEST:
_______________________________________
TONI J. TABER, CMC
City Clerk
RESOLUTION NO. ______________
A RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN JOSE DENOUNCING
ISLAMOPHOBIA
Whereas, Islam is a major world religion based on peace, charity, and community, with 2 billion adherents worldwide and approximately 3.5 to 6 million Muslims in the United States, comprising 1-2% of the total United States population; and
Whereas, approximately 250,000 Muslims live in the San Francisco Bay Area and make up at least
3.5% of the population and are represented in all aspects of the community, professions, and businesses; and
Whereas, San José is home to thousands of Muslims and several mosques including Evergreen Islamic Center, South Bay Islamic Association, and Blossom Valley Muslim Community Center; and Whereas, Islamophobia is anti-Muslim racism in various societal institutions that continues to promote negative images of Islam and Muslims; it is connected to other racisms, including antiBlack racism, antisemitism, and other forms of bigotry; and Whereas, historic and recent events and attitudes expressed in the United States have spotlighted a critical misunderstanding of Islam and its teachings, and highlighted the erroneous conflation of a particular country’s civil and human rights abuses with the teachings of Islam; and Whereas, discriminatory government policies such as the 2017 travel ban have singled out Muslims based on a view of them as all being a security threat; and Whereas, misrepresentations of Muslims have portrayed Muslims as sexist, oppressive and violent in Hollywood, video games, literature, and education resources; and Whereas, organized hate groups against Muslims and other targeted groups have increased in recent years due to structural racism; and
Whereas, Muslims are an invaluable part of San José and Silicon Valley due to their cultural and economic contributions to our schools, workforce, businesses, neighborhoods, and community; and
Whereas, Muslims continue to be the victims of Islamophobia with 68% of Muslim Americans saying they have experienced Islamophobia and of these, 76% experienced it recently:
• Muslim women report higher rates (77%);
• 94% report that Islamophobia affects their emotional and mental well-being; • 88% censor speech or actions out of fear of how people might react to them, with Muslim women reporting a higher rate (92%);
• 51% of Muslim families nationally say that their child was bullied for their faith; and Whereas, Muslims experience higher levels of religious discrimination than any other group, with 62% of Muslim Americans reporting religious discrimination; and 2 Whereas, Islamophobic campaigns across the country have opposed the building of new mosques in recent years and mosques nationwide have been vandalized, including in California; and Whereas, hate crimes against all marginalized groups increased in 2020 to the highest level since 2008; and
Whereas, the First Amendment to the United States Constitution protects freedom of religion, and it is the responsibility of the government to protect citizens and uphold their civil rights; and Whereas, diversity, inclusivity and equity are values shared by the City of San José.
Now Therefore, Be It Resolved that the City of San José stands in solidarity with its Muslim communities, upholding their safety and rights, and condemns any bigotry, bias, or acts of violence against them, especially acts that are predicated on religious intolerance. We are committed to fighting ignorance with education, to meeting inaction with action, creating safe spaces for fostering understanding, and implementing policies promoting cultural competency, awareness and appreciation of Islam and our Muslim communities.
ADOPTED this _____ day of ___________, 2022, by the following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
DISQUALIFIED:
________________________________________
SAM LICCARDO
Mayor
ATTEST:
_______________________________________
TONI J. TABER, CMC
City Clerk