The City of Woodland strongly condemns all racially-motivated violence, harassment, and prejudice, in particular recent acts directed toward our Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) neighbors. The City Council and City Staff ask Woodlanders to do their part as we continue the important work of building a kinder and more welcoming community.
On the evening of March 25th, an Asian American woman was verbally assaulted with racist and violent language after leaving a Woodland supermarket. This is just the latest reminder of the recent surge of anti-AAPI rhetoric and violence nationwide. We encourage community members to look out for one another and eradicate these hateful and sometimes violent interactions, beginning in our everyday lives. We recognize that these events can be traumatic and encourage victims of race-based attacks to report incidents if and when they feel well enough to do so. In addition, if you witness an incident or have any information regarding hate crimes, please contact Woodland Police dispatch right away at (530) 666-2411.
Woodland City Council members encourage every Woodlander to be a leader in their own communities by consistently rejecting racist and hateful acts. During their February 16th meeting, Council members unanimously adopted resolution no. 7637, “In Support of Equal Treatment for Asian American and Pacific Islanders (AAPI).” The full text of the resolution can be found below. While a resolution alone will not prevent hate crimes, it is important that our representatives publicly reject racial violence and support every member of our community, says Council Member Mayra Vega. “We want to challenge our community to speak about these things, to educate our children, to have conversations,” Vega says. “No community member should feel at risk because of the color of their skin or their national origin.”
The City of Woodland is committed to building a town that welcomes and nurtures all of our neighbors. We ask our community to join us in remaining vigilant and ensuring a city that is safe and welcoming for all.
RESOLUTION NO. 7637
A RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF EQUAL TREATMENT FOR ASIAN AMERICAN AND PACIFIC ISLANDERS (AAPI)
WHEREAS, the City of Woodland’s support for inclusion and belonging for people of all races, national origins, and ethnicities is critical to guaranteeing the safety and security of all people; and
WHEREAS, during the coronavirus pandemic of 2020 (COVID-19) inflammatory and xenophobic rhetoric has put Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) persons, families, communities, and businesses at risk; and
WHEREAS, the City of Woodland recognizes that statements at the federal level have played a role in furthering xenophobic sentiments, including references to the COVID-19 pandemic by the geographic location of its origin; and
WHEREAS, such statements have promoted unfounded fears and perpetuated stigma about Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders which have contributed to increasing rates of bullying, harassment, and hate crimes against AAPI persons; and
WHEREAS, these actions have been in contravention of the best practices and guidelines of public health officials and have caused significant harm to AAPI families and communities that require being addressed; and
WHEREAS, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders have always been an important part of our civic community, having made substantial contributions towards making the City of
Woodland and our Nation more secure throughout its history, especially in regards to front line work involving upwards of 2 million Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders serving as healthcare providers, as first responders, and in other essential roles; and
WHEREAS, the City of Woodland and the Federal Government should combat racism, xenophobia, and intolerance against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders and work to ensure that all members of AAPI communities — no matter their background, the language they speak, or their religious beliefs — are treated with dignity and equity.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WOODLAND hereby exercises its authority to adopt the conclusions of the Presidential Memorandum specifically as follows:
SECTION 1: Condemns racism, xenophobia, and intolerance against Asian
Americans and Pacific Islanders; that it accepts responsibility for preventing and correcting racism, xenophobia, and intolerance against everyone in the City, including Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders; and that it further calls upon all citizens and city staff and community groups to assist in the furtherance of these objectives.