RESOLUTION NO. 5032

A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WESTMINSTER, DENOUNCING CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) DISCRIMINATION AGAINST ASIANS AND ASIAN AMERICANS

WHEREAS, the mission of the City of Westminster is providing the highest quality of service, ensuring that Westminster is a desirable place to live, work, play, and do business; and

WHEREAS, the growth of the Asian community in the City of Westminster has greatly contributed to the economic growth and success of the city; and

WHEREAS, Westminster is home to Little Saigon, the largest Vietnamese- American community in the world outside of Vietnam; and

WHEREAS, the COVID-19 pandemic has led to unprecedented measures being taken to prevent the spread of the virus, including sheltering-in-place, physical distancing, and restrictions on gatherings and business operations, which have led to public stress and anxiety; and

WHEREAS, many of Westminster’s essential workers at the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic in health care, first response, supermarkets, and other service industries are of Asian descent; and

WHEREAS, the use of anti-Asian terminology and rhetoric related to COVID-19 have perpetuated anti-Asian stigma; and

WHEREAS, the increased use of anti-Asian rhetoric has resulted in Asians and Asian Americans being harassed, assaulted, and scapegoated for the COVID-19 pandemic; and

WHEREAS, scientists have confirmed that COVID-19 does not respect borders and is not caused by ethnicity, and the World Health Organization (WHO) has cautioned against using geographic descriptors because they can fuel ethnic discrimination; and

WHEREAS, it is important that the City take leadership and stand in solidarity with its Asian American communities to send a message that discriminatory and hate- motivated behavior will not be tolerated.

NOW, THEREFORE THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WESTMINSTER HEREBY RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS:

SECTION 1. The Westminster City Council strongly condemns and denounces anti-Asian sentiment in any form.

5032-1 SECTION 2. The Westminster City Council recognizes a racially inclusive environment is essential to the health and safety of all its residents.

SECTION 3. The Westminster City Council calls on local law enforcement to work with State and Federal law enforcement officials to investigate and document all credible reports of COVID-19-related hate crimes and threats.

SECTION 4. The City Clerk shall certify to the passage and adoption hereof.

PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 10th day of March 2021 by the following vote:

AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: TA, NGUYEN, DO, HO, MANZO NOES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: NONE ABSENT: COUNCIL MEMBERS: NONE

/s/TRI TA, MAYOR

ATTEST: /s/CHRISTINE CORDON, CITY CLERK

APPROVED AS TO FORM: /s/CHRISTIAN L. BETTENHAUSEN, CITY ATTORNEY

STATE OF CALIFORNIA ) COUNTY OF ORANGE ) ss. CITY OF WESTMINSTER )

I, CHRISTINE CORDON, hereby certify that I am the duly appointed City Clerk of the City of Westminster and that the foregoing resolution was duly adopted at a regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Westminster held on the 10th day of March 2021.

/s/Christine Cordon, City Clerk

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