MINNEAPOLIS (Dec. 9, 2016) — The Minneapolis City Council and Mayor Betsy Hodges on Friday passed a resolution opposing the creation of a national registry or surveillance based on ethnicity, national origin or religious affiliation.
The resolution once again affirms the City’s commitment to honoring all people. It reads: “We intend that our city be a welcoming and safe place for people of all ethnicities, national origins, immigration status, gender and sexual identities, religious or non-religious affiliations, ages, economic status and abilities.”
“For two generations, Americans have had to recover from the shameful legacy of the World War II-era Japanese-American internment camps and, through that process, we have asked ourselves how we as a people can make sure we are never so hateful again,” said Mayor Betsy Hodges. “Any registry based on ethnicity, national origin, or religious affiliation would not only be a return to that period in our history, but would represent a failure of political and moral leadership on all levels. Thus, I am pleased that the City Council took this action today, and reiterate my ongoing commitment to stand with all residents of our City in providing protections against such a horrifying idea.”
City Council Member Kevin Reich, the resolution’s lead author, said it is a testament not only to the City’s commitment to protect all its residents, but also to the “impetus of neighbors to stand with neighbors to do all we can to ensure equal protection of the law.”
The affirmation follows other recent Council resolutions taking a stand against hate and bigotry. The Standing with all Members of our One Minneapolis resolution expresses solidarity with all people in Minneapolis regardless of race, gender identity, religion, birthplace or any other identity. The Solidarity with the Muslim Community resolution condemns all hateful speech and violent action targeted toward Muslims and political tactics that use fear to gain power.
The City urges anyone who witnesses hate-motivated speech or actions to report them. You can call 911 to report an immediate threat, contact Minneapolis Police to file a police report in person or online, call 311 to report any non-urgent actions or contact the Civil Rights Department at 612-673-3012. You can download a flier here in English, Spanish, Somali and Hmong to spread the word about how to fight hate in the City.
