City Council Resolution on RacismCopyrighted
June 8, 2020
City of Dubuque Action Items # 1.
ITEM TITLE: City Council Resolution on Racism
SUMMARY: RESOLUTION Dubuque City Council Resolution on
Racism
SUGGESTED DISPOSITION: Suggested Disposition: Receive and File; Adopt
Resolution(s)
ATTACHMENTS:
Description Type
Dubuque City Council on Racism Resolutions
RESOLUTION NO. 171-20
DUBUQUE CITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION ON RACISM
Whereas, the City of Dubuque has a committed interest in promoting the health, safety,
and inclusiveness of all community residents and has a responsibility to oppose, and aid
in eradicating systemic racism, racial bias, and racial animus; and
Whereas, racism is rooted in the foundation of America creating preferential
opportunities for some while subjecting people of color to hardships and disadvantages
in every area of life; and,
Whereas, racism is an ongoing community and public health crisis; and
Whereas, racism, racial discrimination and violence are pervasive and persisting
challenges in our cities, counties, states, and nation; and
Whereas, racism, racial discrimination, and related intolerance have been shown to be
attitudes and behaviors that are learned; and
Whereas, racism and racial discrimination create obstacles to the fulfillment of basic
human rights to survival, security, development, and social participation; and
Whereas, racism and poverty are inextricably linked, causing disproportionate impacts
in economic status, education, health care access, employment, access to healthy food,
reduced life expectancy, increased rates of lead poisoning, higher rates of infant mortality,
and more; and
Whereas, we acknowledge both recent, and historical, incidents of police brutality and
other acts of oppression and harm against people of color in other cities have a local
impact and, while not representative of the majority of individual law enforcement officers,
do create pain, mistrust and anger locally; and
Whereas, the local legacy of racism conjures painful memories and puts in perspective
the trauma inflicted upon people of color and other harm it has caused to members of our
community; and
Whereas, every American and every level of government has a role to play in ending
this painful cycle and ensuring there is equal justice for all; and
Whereas, the City of Dubuque takes police misconduct seriously, and has a forum for
complaints against the Dubuque Police Department through a memorandum of
understanding between the City of Dubuque and the Dubuque Branch of the NAACP,
facilitated by the Community -Police Relations Committee; and
Whereas, the City Council steadfastly supports efforts that focus on improving the
quality of life and equity for our communities of color; and
Whereas, we remain committed to the City's partnerships and ongoing initiatives
including Inclusive Dubuque; the Dubuque Equitable Poverty Prevention Strategy; the
Chief's Forum where citizens can directly engage with the Chief of Police; the work of our
City Departments to engage the community and create equity plans specific to the
services each department offers; as well as continuing the City's decades long emphasis
on intercultural competency training for all employees; and
Whereas, no person should ever wake up in Dubuque, Iowa feeling like they are not
an important part of Dubuque, Iowa; and
Whereas, the Dubuque City Council acknowledges the pain, fear and anger felt by
communities of color, in Dubuque and around our country, and pledges to identify
additional and specific ways to engage, to listen, and create a community where every
resident feels welcome and safe, productive and valued.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
DUBUQUE, IOWA THAT:
Section 1. The City Council denounces racism in all its forms for its negative
psychological, social, health, educational and economic effects.
Section 2. The City Council encourages other local, state, and national entities to
recognize racism as a public health crisis.
Section 3. The City Council unanimously advances, pursuant to our Vision to make
Dubuque a "sustainable and resilient city and an inclusive and equitable community,"
prioritizing racial equity in the City's Action Plan, to be developed by the City Council at
its annual Goal Setting Session, with regular updates on progress to be available on the
City's website and by other appropriate means to be determined.
Passed, approved and adopted this 8th day of June 2020.
D.
oy D. Buol, Mayor
Attest:
Kevyri S. Firnstahl, City Clerk