Staff recommends that the City Council adopt the attached resolution, condemning and combating racism, xenophobia, and intolerance against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.

Since the outbreak of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in California in March 2020, there has been an increase in reported hate incidents and crimes against Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) individuals, communities, and businesses, in part due to the harmful and xenophobic rhetoric related to the geographic origins of COVID-19. In response to these activities, a resolution of support is provided for the City Council to join other communities, counties, and states across the country in affirming its commitment to the safety and well-being of citizens, non-citizens and visitors with ancestry from the Asia Pacific region and in combating racist acts targeting AAPIs.

There were thousands of documented hate incidents targeting AAPIs in the United States in 2020.  These only consist of reported incidents and there have likely been more unreported hate incidents against AAPIs.  As a result, members of the AAPI community in California and throughout the Nation have expressed concern about their safety and well-being.  AAPI persons have always been an important part of our civic community, having made substantial contributions to society throughout history, including most recently the front line work during the COVID-19 pandemic involving upwards of two million members of the AAPI community in health care, law enforcement and other first responder roles, transportation, supermarkets, and in other essential roles.

A proposed resolution has been prepared that condemns inflammatory and xenophobic rhetoric that has put members of the AAPI community at risk.  The City is committed to promoting a safe and secure environment and championing a culture of diversity and inclusion.  The resolution affirms the City's commitment to the safety and well-being of all people with ancestry from the Asia Pacific region and commitment to combating racist acts targeting members of the AAPI community.