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CC SR 20201117 H - United Against Hate CITY COUNCIL MEETING DATE: 11/17/2020 AGENDA REPORT AGENDA HEADING: Consent Calendar AGENDA TITLE: Consideration and possible action to adopt a resolution in support of the County of Los Angeles proclaiming LA vs Hate United Against Hate Week, November 30 – December 6, 2020, as United Against Hate Week. RECOMMENDED COUNCIL ACTION: 1. RESOLUTION NO. 2020- A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES, CALIFORNIA, IN SUPPORT OF THE COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES PROCLAIMING LA VS HATE UNITED AGAINST HATE WEEK, NOVEMBER 30 – DECEMBER 6, 2020. FISCAL IMPACT: None Amount Budgeted: N/A Additional Appropriation: N/A Account Number(s): N/A ORIGINATED BY: Karina Bañales, Deputy City Manager REVIEWED BY: Same as above APPROVED BY: Ara Mihranian, AICP, City Manager ATTACHED SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS: A. Proclamation in Recognition of United Against Hate Week B. LA vs Hate United Against Hate Week BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION: United Against Hate Week is a campaign bringing together municipalities, school districts, and civic organizations to establish a network of support and resources so communities can respond to and prevent hate, foster inclusion, and promote e quity for all. This initiative began in 2018 following a successfu l 2017 Berkeley poster campaign in which residents, businesses, and government organizations publicly displayed “Berkeley stands united against hate” posters in response to months of various hate groups protesting in Berkeley and throughout the country. 1 The posters spread spontaneously throughout the region with each community having an individual focus behind their message. Now in its third year, United Against Hate Week has expanded into communities and neighborhoods throughout the country. The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors is moving forward with a motion proclaiming the week of November 30 through December 6, 2020 as LA vs Hate - United Against Hate Week (Attachment B). The Board of Supervisors is asking cities and communities in Los Angeles County to join in bringing community members together with a message of unity and solidarity using art and culture to promote this message. By participating in the campaign, the City will make a commitment to make everyone feel safe and supported, by promoting and raising awareness in inclusion and equity for all. In an effort to demonstrate solidarity, the City will work closely with the LA Stands United Against Hate campaign to create a “Rancho Palos Verdes Stands United Against Hate” poster. The City’s poster will be displayed at City facilities including parks and the Preserve, the City’s website, and various social media platforms during the week of November 23 through December 6. Additionally, the City will post similar banners at various locations throughout the City. ALTERNATIVES: In addition to the Staff recommendation, the following alternative action is available for City Council’s consideration: 1.Take no action. 2 RESOLUTION NO. 2020- A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES, CALIFORNIA, IN SUPPORT OF THE COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES PROCLAIMING LA VS HATE UNITED AGAINST HATE WEEK, NOVEMBER 30 –DECEMBER 6, 2020 WHEREAS, the County of Los Angeles (County) is home to a diverse population of more than 10 million residents, including White, Latin, Black, Asian Pacific Islander and American Indians and Alaska Natives. WHEREAS, the County’s inaugural LA vs Hate United Against Hate Week, November 30 – December 6, 2020, will celebrate diverse history, culture, and traditions, while educating residents on the importance of supporting social justice, inclusion and safety for all. WHEREAS, the County has invited cities, including the City of Rancho Palos Verdes, to join in this opportunity to bring community members together with a message of unity and solidarity and to not only celebrate the legacy and culture of the diverse populations that make up Los Angeles County, but also acknowledge the challenges they have faced and continue to face. WHEREAS, the County’s Commission on Human Relations annual Hate Crime Report and calls to the LA vs Hate reporting line at 211-LA demonstrate that racist, xenophobic, anti-Semitic, sexist, homophobic, Islamophobic, and other bigoted views account for hate acts in increasing numbers. WHEREAS, LA vs Hate United Against Hate Week will provide Rancho Palos Verdes residents with an opportunity to recognize the City’s diversity, strengthen partnerships to help address hardships faced by victims of hate acts, and find ways to elevate every community and the unique ways they make the City a better, more inclusive and welcoming place to live. WHEREAS, LA vs Hate United Against Hate Week symbolizes the dedication to preventing and opposing hate and intolerance in our communities; and to educate young residents on the importance of compassion, and cooperation as key strategies for unlocking understanding and embracing differences between residents. NOW, THEREFORE, the City of Rancho Palos Verdes joins other communities in California and cities across this County in supporting the inaugural LA vs Hate United Against Hate Week, November 30 – December 6, 2020, as an important step in bridging divisions and strengthening our communities. PASSED, APPROVED and ADOPTED this 17th day of November 2020. A-1 ____________________ John Cruikshank, Mayor Attest: ___________________ Emily Colborn, City Clerk State of California ) County of Los Angeles ) ss City of Rancho Palos Verdes ) I, Emily Colborn, City Clerk of the City of Rancho Palos Verdes, hereby certify that the above Resolution No. 2020-_ was duly and regularly passed and adopted by the said City Council at a regular meeting thereof held on November 17, 2020 ____________________ Emily Colborn, City Clerk A-2 United Against Hate Week, November 30 – December 6, 2020 At a time when our country is deeply divided and intolerance is spreading, LA vs Hate UNITED AGAINST HATE WEEK will provide an opportunity to build a community shared vision of inclusion that rejects hate and bigotry. Join us! The dangers of hate, racism and bigotry grow more apparent every day and the need for local action could not be more urgent. United Against Hate Week, was created in direct response to the rise in hate crimes and bias incidents that pose a dangerous threat to the safety and civility of our neighborhoods. Creating inclusion and equity are vital to building healthy and resilient communities. This week of action is designed to not just raise awareness about the dangers of hate and the need for respect and civil discourse, but to help community members build stronger connections with civic leaders, businesses, and schools, so that deeper engagement can continue year-round. The goal of this week of action is to draw local residents, students, school, civic faith and business leaders together to raise awareness about how to stop hate and promote inclusion. But awareness isn’t enough. United Against Hate Week is designed to bring communities together to learn from each other, surface local concerns and seek solutions together. The activities and relationships developed are designed to build a foundation for sustainable actions in communities. Communities are planning virtual events: webinars, panel discussions, film screenings, art projects, community dialogues and storytelling workshops. These actions will provide a dynamic way to increase engagement across neighborhoods and support efforts to stand up to hate in our communities. We at LA vs Hate, a project of the Los Angeles County Commission on Human Relations/Workforce Development, Aging & Community Services department, hope you will save the dates and join us to strengthen community ties and expand the message that We Stand United Against Hate. For more information: Terri Villa-McDowell, LA vs Hate, TVillaMcdowell@wdacs.lacounty.gov. For resources visit: http://www. LAvshate.org or http://www.unitedagainsthateweek.org. In 2017, following months of extremist protesting in Berkeley and the tragic events in Charlottesville, city leaders prepared for another wave of planned hate group rallies across the Bay Area. In an effort to visibly reject their messages, the city of Berkeley created posters that clearly stated that we are United Against Hate. The posters spread spontaneously throughout the region with each community having an individual focus behind their message. Now in its 3rd year, United Against Hate Week has grown organically into communities and neighborhoods throughout the country. In Los Angeles County, LA vs Hate has brought together community members with messages of unity and solidarity using art and culture to promote this message. United Against Hate Week will use the LA vs Hate messaging to promote the goals of standing in unity and solidarity. B-1