Malden City Council condemns hate speech, expresses support for Muslim residents

Rasa - The Malden City Council unanimously passed a resolution Tuesday denouncing acts of hate or violence in the city.

News ID: 425375

Date: 28 November 2016 - 23:12

RNA - The matter was originally proposed by Councilors Neal Anderson, Debbie DeMaria and Ryan O’Malley to specifically denounce acts against Muslims in Malden, as well as immigrants and people of color.

“I don’t think there’s anyone who could deny that there are certain groups who are targeted for bigotry,” said Anderson.

After a motion was made by Councilor Neil Kinnon to make the resolve more inclusive by denouncing all such acts, a more concise version proposed by Councilor John Matheson passed, condemning acts of violence and hate against all people.

This was further amended by O’Malley, who added acts against people based on their disability, and by Kinnon, who added acts against public safety personnel.

Resolves are non-binding proclamations that the council can make in order to express its position on any matter.

“This will help our children . . . not get distracted by discrimination or racist rhetoric,” said Malden resident Hamid Bourote after the resolution's passage.

In a post on Facebook before the meeting, O'Malley said the resolution "condemns violence and hate speech, and reaffirms the founding principle of our great nation, religious tolerance, by expressing solidarity with Muslims and all those targeted for their ethnicity, race or religion."

"Resolve: That the City Council condemn violence and hate speech, expressing solidarity with Muslims and all those targeted for their ethnicity, race or religion

WHEREAS despite founding principles, there has been a history of discrimination in the United States based on ethnicity, race or religion; and

WHEREAS there has been an unprecedented backlash since 9/11 in the form of hate crimes and employment discrimination toward Arab and Muslim Americans and those perceived as Muslims; and

WHEREAS there are more than 3 million Muslims living in the United States today, and approximately six thousand living in the city of Malden, making invaluable contributions to our economy, our social and political life, and our culture; and

WHEREAS, the history of Islam in the United States began even before its founding when African Muslims were enslaved and brought to the Americas, where they later helped in numerous ways to build this country, including sacrificing their lives on the line in every major war from the Revolutionary War on; and

WHEREAS Arab and Muslim Americans, and those perceived as Muslims, are frequently the targets of abusive and discriminatory police practices sanctioned by the state including surveillance in their neighborhoods and places of worship; and

WHEREAS we are saddened and outraged at the recent escalation of hateful rhetoric against Muslims, those perceived to be Muslims, immigrants, and all people of color, and we are particularly concerned to see political figures and elected government officials leading this escalation and using it in order to gain power; and

WHEREAS in the face of extreme bigotry and violence, Muslim communities and their leaders are using the language and teachings of Islam to promote peace and justice and service, and their institutions are continuing to play an essential societal role providing charitable and humanitarian services to those in need; and

WHEREAS we, as elected representatives of the people, have a special responsibility not to stay silent in the face of hate violence and discrimination against any of our constituents or countrymen:

Now therefore be it resolved, that the Malden City Council-

(1) Condemns all hateful speech and violent action directed at Muslims, those perceived to be Muslims, immigrants and people of color;

(2) Categorically rejects political tactics that use fear to manipulate voters or to gain power or influence;

(3) Commits to pursuing a policy agenda that affirms civil and human rights, and ensures that those targeted on the basis of race, religion or immigration status can turn to government without fear of recrimination

(4) Reaffirms the value of a pluralistic society, the beauty of a culture composed of multiple cultures, and the inalienable right of every person to live and practice their faith without fear."

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