HomeMy WebLinkAboutReso 105 2020 (20-587)City of South San Francisco P.O. Box 711 (City Hall,
400 Grand Avenue)
South San Francisco, CA
City Council
Resolution: RES 105-2020
File Number: 20-587 Enactment Number: RES 105-2020
RESOLUTION ON RACIAL AND SOCIAL EQUITY IN
SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, DECLARING RACISM AS A
PUBLIC HEALTH CRISIS
WHEREAS, recent deeply disturbing events, including the senseless killings of people of color across
our country, have awakened Americans to this injustice and spurred a new level of determination to create a better
society; and
WHEREAS, the City Council acknowledges that Black lives matter and we stand in solidarity with
communities of color, and the hundreds of city residents who exercised their right to peacefully protest against
racism and police brutality; and
WHEREAS, the City Council seeks to actively lead and/or join efforts to reverse the effects of the
inequitable policies, processes, and practices of the past, and recognizes that it has a role to play in understanding
and communicating the impacts that planning decisions have on low income families, communities of color, and
other disadvantaged communities; and
WHEREAS, communities of color, working class residents, and people with disabilities are more likely
to experience poor health outcomes as a consequence of health inequities and access to health care systems; and
WHEREAS, the City Council strives to build understanding and engage our diverse community in
creating pathways to equality and justice for all; and
WHEREAS, members of the City Council believe in the values of equity, equal justice and equal
opportunity, and are dedicated to diversity, inclusion, and social justice as they are core parts of who we stand for;
and
WHEREAS, statements are important, but actions are critical. How we move forward will testify to the
sincerity and commitment of our respect and love for others. Recent events nationwide present an opportunity for
growth, by appreciating and embracing those in the Black community, all people of color, and all communities;
and
WHEREAS, the City of South San Francisco is not immune to injustices including racism, sexism,
anti-Semitism, Islamophobia, homophobia, and other forms of bias or discrimination; and
WHEREAS, throughout history, racism has manifested as discrimination and oppression directed toward
specific populations, their communities, and succeeding generations resulting in trauma, terror, and long-term
physical and mental health impairments.
City of South San Francisco Page 1
File Number: 20-587 Enactment Number: RES 105-2020
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Mayor and the City Council of South San Francisco
declare the following:
1. We affirm that racism is a public health crisis affecting our entire city, county, state and nation, and
results in disparities in health and mental wellness, education, employment, economic development,
and criminal justice.
2. We are committed with those working toward a fair and just society, and with those calling for
systemic change to eliminate barriers that reduce opportunity and undermine City residents' shared
values and ability to thrive.
3. We uphold our commitment to meaningfully advance justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion; and
pledge to work toward ending racial and social injustice by strengthening partnerships with the
community.
4. We continue to advocate for policies that improve health in communities of color, and support local,
state, regional, and federal initiatives that advance efforts to dismantle systemic racism.
At a meeting of the City Council on 8/26/2020, a motion was made by Councilmember Nicolas, seconded by
Vice Mayor Nagales, that this Resolution be approved. The motion passed.
Yes: 5 Mayor Garbarino, Vice Mayor Addiego, Councilmember Nagales, Councilmember
Nicolas, and Councilmember Matsumoto
Attest by
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P/Osa Govea Acosta, City Clerk
City of South San Francisco Page 2
From:Aristel Delacruz
To:All at City Clerk"s Office
Subject:Agenda Items 13 and 15
Date:Wednesday, August 26, 2020 2:21:47 PM
Hello Council,
ITEM 13: I am emailing you all in support of declaring racism a public health issue. The data
and research affirms the existence of racism and racial disparities in various institutions such
education, government, job market, medical care, etc. The disparities are not the outcome of
individual actions but are the outcome of the history of racism in America that has carried over
from one generation to the next. I hope that voting to approve this declaration will be a start
for the council and the the city of South San Francisco to begin enacting policies that
authentically address racism, which includes but are not limited to, funding our schools,
providing rental assistance, and assessing the measures that hold police officers accountable
for misconduct.
ITEM 15: I am also emailing you all in support of changing the name Columbus Day to
Indigenious people's day. It has been long proven from Columbus' personal jounral entries that
he has engaged in murder and rape of indigenious people. Denouncing Columbus is not to be
confused with denouncing white people or Europeans, it is merely denouncing his actions that
have led to the gencocide of Indigeneous people. It is imperative that as a nation with a racist
past that we take steps to heal from that. This is one of many steps that this council can take.
Thank you for your time.
Aristel de la Cruz
Educator in SSF
Government Code Section 54957.5
SB 343
Agenda: 8/26/2020
Item # 13 Remote Public Comments