RES NO. 2020-10 RACIAL EQUITY ON BAINBRIDGE ISLANDPage 1 of 3
RESOLUTION NO. 2020-10
A RESOLUTION of the City Council of Bainbridge Island,
Washington, condemning the killing of Mr. George Floyd
and other abhorrent acts of excessive force and police
brutality, and reaffirming the City of Bainbridge Island as a
‘Welcoming and Inclusive City’ that respects the
fundamental human dignity of all people.
WHEREAS, we denounce our nation’s violence against people of color and the
senseless loss of life it breeds, and condemn, in particular, the actions of the police
officers involved in these extrajudicial killings; and
WHEREAS, the death of Mr. George Floyd reflects a human rights crisis rooted in the
United States’ legacy of institutionalized racism, a system built on disparaging policies
that result in debilitating poverty and unequal access to education and health care for
people of color; and
WHEREAS, compounding our nation’s suffering, these recent acts of brutality have
occurred during a time when communities of color are disproportionately experiencing
severe health, social, and economic harms from the COVID-19 pandemic, including
experiencing higher rates of death and illness; and
WHEREAS, in the midst of an historic public health pandemic, we are now confronting
a profound civil rights emergency, compelling all of us, particularly elected leaders, to act
on our ethical duty and moral obligation to challenge injustice, promote human rights and
civil liberties, and actively protect public safety; and
WHEREAS, as elected officials, we strive to ensure that all members of our community
feel protected, heard, and served, recognizing that it is our duty to foster a community
free of fear, intimidation and violence, in which people of color are not unnecessarily
targeted, injured, or killed by law enforcement; and
WHEREAS, the City of Bainbridge Island adopted Resolution 2017-09, establishing the
City of Bainbridge Island as a ‘Welcoming and Inclusive City’ that “embraces all residents
and visitors regardless of race, creed, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, g ender
identity, gender expression, mental ability, and physical ability; a City that strives for unity
and harmony in our community; and a City that respects the essential human dignity of all
people”; and
WHEREAS, the City of Bainbridge Island has recently acted to confront racist policies and
practices through the formation and work of the City of Bainbridge Island Race Equity Task
Force, and is committed to addressing the deep-rooted system of racial and social injustice
and inequality in performing our duty to provide equal protection for all members of our
community under the law; and
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WHEREAS, in the aftermath of this tragedy, we reaffirm our commitment to the larger
goals of social justice and a fair and equitable society, one in which all of us, no matter
the color of our skin, can live without fear of oppression and harm by abuses of
institutionalized power.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BAINBRIDGE
ISLAND DOES RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. The City Council of the City of Bainbridge Island joins with the City
Manager, Chief of Police, Kitsap County Elected Officials, our community, and others
throughout our region and our nation to denounce in the strongest possible terms the
actions and inactions by the Minneapolis police officers responsible for Mr. Floyd’s
death.
Section 2. The City of Bainbridge Island joins with Minnesota Governor Tim
Walz in calling for a thorough, independent, and transparent investigation of the killing
of George Floyd.
Section 3. The City of Bainbridge Island supports Congressional action against
police brutality, racial profiling, and the use of excessive force by law enforcement
officers and other racial injustices and supports legislative proposals that seek to prevent
future violence and end militarized policing practices.
Section 4. The City of Bainbridge Island extends its deepest condolences to the
family of George Floyd, as we continue to hold in our hearts the families of Ahmaud
Arbery, Breonna Taylor, Sandra Bland, Michael Brown, Eric Garner, and the many
others whose lives were extrajudicially ended by law enforcement officers.
PASSED by the City Council this 2nd day of June, 2020.
APPROVED by the Mayor this 2nd day of June, 2020.
ATTEST/AUTHENTICATE:
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FILED WITH THE CITY CLERK: June 2, 2020
PASSED BY THE CITY COUNCIL: June 2, 2020
RESOLUTION NO. 2020-10