HomeMy WebLinkAboutReso 64-20 Delcaring Public Health EmergencyRESOLUTION NO. 64-20
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF MORRO BAY, CALIFORNIA,
AFFIRMING THAT RACISM IS A PUBLIC HEALTH CRISIS AND URGING
PUBLIC HEALTH OFFICIALS DECLARE RACISM A PUBLIC HEALTH
EMERGENCY
THE CITY COUNCIL
City of Morro Bay, California
WHEREAS, the Declaration of Independence defined the United States of America as
founded on the unalienable rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, as well as having a
government by the consent of the People; and, the 14th Amendment to the US Constitution
provides for equal protection under the law, and
WHEREAS, from slavery to Jim Crow laws to the modem criminal justice system, African
Americans have been brutalized and dehumanized for centuries; and
WHEREAS, the struggles of African Americans have been highlighted most recently by
alarming findings that conclude African Americans are dying from COVID-19 at a much higher
rate compared to White Americans due to the effects of systemic, structural racism, and
WHEREAS, in the 21 st Century, African Americans continue to live in fear of losing their
lives at the hands of abusive elements of law enforcement or members of White supremacist
groups; and
WHEREAS, numerous acts of racism and resulting death continue to plague our country
despite many pleas for change; and
WHEREAS, recent acts of racism have sparked advocacy activism, and protests across
the country with groups such as Black Lives Matter demanding action be taken to end the social,
economic, political, health and educational disparities that have manifested in numerous acts of
violence and homicide against African Americans and other members of underserved
communities; and
WHEREAS, in alignment with the goal of creating a safe and welcoming community, we
value human rights, peace, respect, inclusivity and equity, and recognize that we derive strength
from our diversity.
N OW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Morro Bay,
California as follows:
S ECTION 1. The City Council hereby affirms that racism is a public health crisis.
S ECTION 2. The City Council is committed to making Morro Bay a welcoming, inclusive,
and Safe community for everyone. While we promote free thought and speech, we condemn
racism and brutality hate speech, bigotry, violence, and prejudice in any form.
S ECTION 3. The City Council is committed to standing in solidarity with the people of
Morro Bay and the Black Lives Matter movement and is dedicated to creating a community where
all people can safely, freely, and fully engage in our democracy.
SECTION 4. The City Council requests that Public Health Officials declare systemic
racism and its public health manifestations to be a public health emergency.
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED by the City Council of the City of Morro Bay at a
special meeting thereof held on the 23rd day of June 2020 by the following vote:
AYES. Headding, Addis, Davis, Heller, McPherson
NOES. None
ABSENT: None
JOH DDI-NO Mayor
ATTEST:
aiviSta
DANA SWANSON, City Clerk