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Res. No. 192-00-11085RESOLUTION NO.192-00-11085 A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF SOUTH MIAMI,FLORIDA,RELATING TO RACISM;SUPPORTING THE NATIONAL LEAGUE OF CITIES EFFORTS DECLARING RACISM UNJUST AND ADVOCATING EQUAL RIGHTS FOR ALL;PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. WHEREAS,byAct of Congress of theUnitedStates,datedJuly2,1964, theCivilRightsAct of 1964wasadopted,banningdiscriminationbecause of a person's color,race,national origin,religion,orsex;and WHEREAS,byAct of Congress of the United States,dated December 6, 1865,the Thirteenth Amendment of the Constitution of the United States was adopted,abolishing slavery;and WHEREAS,byAct of Congress of theUnitedStates,datedJuly9,1868, the Fourteenth Amendment of theConstitution of the United Stateswasadopted, givingallpersonsbornornaturalizedintheUnitedStatestherighttodueprocess and equal protection under thelaw;and WHEREAS,theMayorandCityCommissionreaffirmtheircommitmentto ensureequalityand freedom forallpeopleregardless of race,religion,sexual preference,orgenderand join withtheNationalLeague of Cities,declaringracism unjust and advocating equalrightsforall. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF SOUTH MIAMI,FLORIDA; Section 1.ThattheCity of SouthMiami reaffirms its commitment to ensureequalityand freedom forallpeopleregardless of race,religion,sexual preference,orgenderandherebysupportstheNationalLeague of Citiesinits campaign to fight racism inAmerica. Section2.Thatacopy of thisresolutionbesenttothe National League of Cities,Florida League of Cities,DadeLeague of Citiesand Miami-Dade County Municipalities. Section 3.That theCity of SouthMiami Community Relations Board is encouraged to adopt thetheme "there isnoroomfor racism and hatred"inour community by initiating acampaignagainstracism. Additions shownbyunderlininganddeletionsshown by ovorstriking. Page2of Resolution No.192-00-11085 Section 4.This resolution shalltake effect immediately upon approval. PASSED ANDADOPTEDthis JJ>_dayof September ,2000. ATTEST: M3Uj CITY CLERK (/ READ AND APPROVED AS TO FORM: CITY ATTORNEY 6 n -A -/&£/b*^ Page 2 of 2 APPROVED: MAYOR Commission Vote: Mayor Robaina: Vice Mayor Feliu: Commissioner Wiscombe: Commissioner Bethel: Commissioner Russell: 5-0 Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea September if,2000 Auburn Joins Other Communities inNational Effort to Reduce Racism by fkomi Mueller Reprinted until permission from theJuly 11.2000 issueof Die Citizen AUBURN,N.Y.—More than 35 Auburn residents have already taken thefirst step ina four-step process—acknowledg ing that racism exists—and are working toward accomplishing thesecondgoal,workingtomake achange. Aubum lias joined more than 200 other cities and towns in a national effort to reduceracism and promote racial justice.After accomplishing the firsttwo goals, thecity will needtodecidehowto move forward,according toa framework provided by the National League of Cities,the program sponsor. When the information came acrossherdesk.Mayor Melina Carnicelli said she thought the initiative would help Aubum. Carnicelli invited 45 Auburn res idents who she said have demon strated a commitment to social justice to join the group. The group has planned itsfirst eventfor Sept.25,the anniver sary ofa Neo-Nazis march through Auburn's streets seven yearsago.Thegroupwillinvite thepublictoviewavideoof Aubum residents relaying their first-hand experiences with racism.Residents will then be giventhe opportunity to react to the video.The event will be broadcast liveon Adelphia Cable. "To me,that date,Sept.25, 1993,isoneofthe darkest days in Auburn's history,"Carnicelli said. "That iswhywechose that date." Carnicelli said thegoalofthe event isto acknowledge that racism exists in Auburn,and said that only after itis acknowledged canthecitybeginundoingthe racist sentiment.She said she expects thevideowill help to make peoplemore aware of racist behavior,attitude and language in everyday life. "We are not unlike any other community in terms ofthe extent to which racism exists here,"Car nicelli said."But we must acknowledge that itdoesexist here." Carnicelli said the Sept.25 event willnot end her attempt to endracisminthecity.Shesaid sheplansto sponsor an anti-hate crime billforthecitytogivelaw enforcement officials more teeth whenacrimeis motivated by hate. "1 see this more to set a tone aboutthecommunity,something that will make a statement loud and clear that we are intent on being a responsible community, intent onhavingacitythatwill havea welcoming climate forpeo ple."Carnicelli said. Carnicelli said she also would liketo organize a social-justice task force to deal with race-relat ed issues. Rev.Pam Anderegg,a member ofthegroup,said prejudice has existed in Aubum since its found ing. "Auburn's people seem to have grownupintightneighborhoods that allow them to think ill of the otherneighborhoods."shesaid. Byworkinginagroupdedi cated to changing those preju dices,Anderegg hopes Auburn society will begin to change. "Peopletendtobelieve what they learned a:home and that canbetaughtatthe dinner table without thinking about what it means.".Anderegg said."I think <h.v what Mayer Carnicelli has doneisto bring together thechoir so that wecar.make a bridge with others who don't see the same as we do." Auburn resident Laurel L'llyette agrees that mostpeople acknowledge that racism exists in cities throughout the country, but said the division between black and white residents is more clearly defined in Auburn. Ullyette said the division beginsinmiddle school,withchil dren parroting whatthey team at home.By targeting children theysolidify their opinions Local Events Checklist for National Undoing Racism /Adopt a proclamation declaring "No Room for Racism"in your community.Distribute copies to public agencies,local businesses,civic and religious groups,schools,etc.Be sure to send a copy to the National League of Cities. /Organize a rally or other public event cgainst racism.Invite community leaders to attend, speak or be recognized for their efforts to help undo racism. /Encourage your local print and broadcast media to make announcements about your community's participation in "Notional Undoing Racism Day"and to cover any local events. /Encourage local schools to include discussions about racism,tolerance and inclusion in classes on September 20. /Use the public awareness and support generated by your city's participation in "National Undoing Racism Day"to promote ongoing community dialogue about issues involving race,and to examine local policies and practices that may be improved to undo racism. /Help others gain from your efforts and successes by sharing your experiences with other communities through your state municipal lecgues,the National League of Cities and other organizations working to foster tolerance and racial justice. about other groups ofpeople. Ullyette said perception about race can be changed. "We all need lo be aware of our hidden biases,"Ullyette said."I think that toomanywhitepeople aren't aware of the privileges we have just becausewearewhite. Once we become aware of what goeson around uswecanbeginto change our thinking." Ullyettesaidshebecamemore aware of the racism that exists in American society after adopting her two Korean children. For Ullyette.teaching her chil dren that racism will not be toler ated isagood beginning point. Ullyettealsoworkswith parents adopting minorities to teach them how to combat the racism and prejudice they willlikely encounter. Because Aubum residents already know that race problems exist in the city,Glenn Saunders said he thinks city residents should focuson changing the prejudices that exist rather than just meeting about them.He thinks cityofficialscould better spend their efforts,butisgladto hear Auburn joined the national initiative to deal with racism. "Auburn should cleanup the dirt,rather than advertise it." Saunders said."Butthismay he a SiOod star..Because itisa nation al initiative itmaybeagood thing.It many provideabigger picture of what is going oninthis country and helpto change things." Saunders said the city should focuson children,rather than try ingtofix the wrongs that have been going on since older resi dents were young. "Historically,economicallydis advantaged poorpeople,both black and white,need tobe tar getedtobecomeproductivemem bersofthe community,"Saunders said.'To hell with me and anyone older than 30.We need to start with out children.We need to show them that there isa better way than tobeonpublicassis tance and that there is something to work toward." Saunders said hegavehis 14- year-old sontheoptionof getting a paper route or volunteering and receiving S30 every two weeks, His son chose to volunteer and has since been hired by Options for Independence for $60 every two weeks. "He has seen that if he does a little piece-of work there isa reward."Saunders said."That is the way we need to du th::..-a Details:Naomi Mueller at 315;253-5311,est.248 'Nation's Cities"1 E www.nlt.orcj (ISSN 0164-5935)Vol.23,No.36 September 11.2000 Official publicationoftheNationalLeagueofCities.Donald.1.Bonn. Executive Director. The NLC Mission:Tostrengthen and promotecitiesas centers of opportunity;leadership and governance. Publisher:DonaldJ.Borut;Editor:EvelynF:ne;Managing Editor:Juilanne Ryan Ryder;Writer/Editor:Cyndy Liedtke; Communications Assistant Laura Turner. Advertising Representatives:Amy Her.riques,Leonard & Associates,603 Horsham Road,Horsham,PA 190-14:phone (215) 675-9133;fax(215)675-9376. Nation'sCitiesWeeklyispublishedweekly,exceptfortheMonday alterThanksgivingandtheMondayafterChristmas,bythe National LeagueofCities,1301PennsylvaniaAve.NW,Washington.D.C. 2000-1-1763,(202)626-3000.WeeklySnlc.org isoure-mailaddress. Second-class postagepaidatBurke.Va.Subscription rates:for NLC members,S59/oneyear,$89/two years,$114/three years;forothers, $96/oneyear,$149/twoyears,$192/three years.Copyright2000 NationalLeagueof Cities.All rightsreserved.Reproduction ofthis publicationinwhole or inpart,its storage inaretrievalsystem,orits transmissioninanyformbyanymeans-electronic,mechanical. photocopying,recording,orotherwise-withoutpriorpermissionof thepublisherisprohibited.Thispublicationavailablefrom Bell+Howell,l(SOO)521-0600 or(313)761-4700. Postmaster Send change of address to:Nation'sCities Weekly, 1301 PennsylvaniaAve.NW.Washington,D.C.20004-1763. Nation's CitiesWeeklyis printed on recycled paper withsoy- based ink. %Jt**taMM*».*MM*4lA*MAM£f AJ9 an application tar cue j*peci«u *«pruvwion ui um ^wc iuoo 4**lvlKivt-ii that the Uth Circuit had porrnjt rronl tni,city Council required the city to render its to enforce the Act.The district see page y,co!.4 'Undoing Racism'Gets Top Priority in Cities by John Pionke The kick-off event for the National League of Cities campaign to fight racism in America,The National Undoing Racism Rally,is gaining momentum as proclamations are arriving in support of the rally from all over the country.An additional 60 cities have mailed proclamations joining the national effort to proclaim September 20 our National Undoing Racism Day.Next week Nation's Cities Weekly will run a list of cities whose proclamations have been received at NLC. This week,on page two,readers will find a checklist to guide local officials through creating special tie-in events around the nation.And,a feature on Auburn, N.Y.,and how it's dealing with the race issue appears on the same page. In addition to proclamations,several cities are planning press conferences and events relating to undoing racism in their own cities.The Washington rally is attracting numerous organizations that are supporting the effort by way of attendance at the rally at noon on September 20 in Freedom Plaza directly across from NLC headquarters.Information on the rally as well as sample proclamations appeared in last week's edition of Nation's Cities Weekly,b Details:For additional information on the rally contact Sharon Anderson at 202- 626-3124,or John Pionke at 202-626-3051. City Website Hyperfink Policy Under fire in Six*Circuit by Juan Otero The U.S.Court,of Appeals lortheSixth Circuit recently ruled thai a municipal government that maintains a Weh siteand allows links from its Weh siteto outside Weh sites maynotengageinviewpoint,dis crimination.Thecourt,in llir Putnam Pit Inc.ct al.v.City of Cookeville. Tcmi.el ///.,No.JW-tvi:W i Olh Cir..July 19.2000).that,thecity's estab lishmont ofa policy to limit the pool of persons who might be linked to the city's Weh pages was reasonable andthatthe city had a legitimate interest in keeping links that are consistent with the purpose of the site. However,thecourtalsoheldthatthe city's requirementthat Web sites eligible to be linked tothe home site promote the city's tourism industryand economic welfare wasproblematicduetothebroad discretion giventocityofficials. The court,raised the possibility of discriminatory application ofthe policy basedonviewpoint.Asa «•suitofthis holding,theSixth Circuit reversed the lower court's review. (ieoll'rey Davidian istheedi tor ol'The Putnam Pit,an olec- Irunic newspaper that coverscity politics in Cookeville.whichisa townof approximately 22.000 about 5)0 minutes from Nashville.Thecasebeganin October 1997 alter cityadministrators refused tocreate a hyperlink from the city's Web sitetothe Putnam Pit site.Soon therealier,Havidian filed suitagainst Cookeville.lie claimed thatthe city's actions constituted a violation ofhis First Amendment,due process and equal protection rights,and further vio lated state laws. Cookeville petitioned that the case be moved to the U.S.District seepage U,col I Tlie case began after city administrators , refused to create a ruling in favor of Cookeville and /„_,/;„JL frnm fhnremandedthecaseforfurtherHypCriinKjrUlllUlL city's iveb siteto the Putnam Pit site.