RES 2016-01 DECLARING SUPPORT FOR MUSLIM COMMUNITIESRESOLUTION NO. 2016-01
A RESOLUTION of the City Council of the City of Bainbridge
Island, Washington declaring support for Muslim communities,
and urging our Nation to "Let it not happen again." "Nidoto Nai
Yoni."
WHEREAS, terrorist activity both at home and abroad has created an atmosphere of
uncertainty and fear, and has fueled anti -Arab and anti -Muslim rhetoric in our national discourse,
and;
WHEREAS, during the past months some politicians have pointed to the incarceration of
Japanese American citizens during World War II as a positive action, one that ought to be echoed
by actions to exclude another class of people, Muslims, from American civic life, and;
WHEREAS, we who live on Bainbridge Island are called to speak to this issue; it was here
that the exclusion of Japanese American citizens during World War II began, an event we remember
with the Japanese American Exclusion Memorial on the shore of Eagle Harbor. We have lived with
the scars of this action in our island life for many years, and we have not forgotten; now, therefore,
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BAINBRIDGE ISLAND,
WASHINGTON, DOES RESOLVE ASFOLLOWS:
We say to the nation that the exclusion and incarceration of Japanese American citizens and
resident aliens remains a stain on the honor of our nation, one that has been recognized by
apologies and modest reparations. We urge the nation to remember this tragic event not as a model
for government policy, but as what it was, a grave miscarriage of justice that should never happen
again. We say, "Let it not happen again." "Nidoto Nai Yoni." We recognize and celebrate the
cultural, ethnic, and religious diversity that is represented in our City, State, and Nation, and we
encourage our residents to take extra efforts to ensure the safety of our Muslim neighbors.
PASSED by the City Council this 5th day of January, 2016.
APPROVED by the Mayor this 5th day of January, 2016.
ATTESTIAUTHENTICATE:
�rria Qs°anti, L4.SSV-tom`
Rosalind D. Lassoff, City Clerk
FILED WITH THE CITY CLERK: December 30, 2015
PASSED BY THE CITY COUNCIL: January 5, 2016
RESOLUTION NO.: 2016-01