M-L eyes resolution against racism

Mentor Racial Justice Week organizer seeks to ‘send a message’

Mentor-on-the-Lake leaders may take a unified stand against racism this week.

City Council’s July 28 agenda includes a resolution denouncing all forms of racism and stating the city’s commitment to being welcoming to all people “irrespective of race or any other immutable characteristic.”

The legislation, also passed in Orange Village, was forwarded to Mentoron-the-Lake Mayor David Eva by resident Brandon Towns. Towns organized the recent Mentor Racial Justice Week program and the mayor took part.

“I sent this over to our council leaders, Des Thompson and Jim Lunder, for their review to add to their council agenda,” Eva said. “Once we have COVID under control, I want to continue discussions with Brandon on race issues, using our community room for these meetings.”

The main content of the proposed legislation is as follows:

“The Declaration of Independence states ‘all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are the life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness’ … and our Pledge of Allegiance affirms the ideal of liberty and justice for all, which includes all those of color, both male and female, nationwide ... and the City of Mentor-on-the-Lake is a Community for All Generations that values inclusivity and diversity amongst its people ... and such diversity is an integral part of the fabric of our community, which makes the City of Mentor-on-the-Lake such a desirable place to live, learn, work, shop, play and worship ... and the City of Mentor-on-the-Lake is committed to an ethos that supports and provides for fairness and equality for all … and the government of the City of Mentor-on-theLake wishes to publicly restate its opposition to racism and all other forms of bigotry against people ….

Now, therefore, be it resolved by the Council of the city of Mentor-on-theLake …

That the City of Mentoron-the-Lake government will not abide acts of racism, intolerance, and unlawful discrimination and denounces such actions in the strongest terms.

That the Mayor and Council dedicate themselves to engage in honest, open and constructive dialogue, incorporating these vital communications into our collective daily work, as we engage residents with opportunities to share their experiences so that we may work to address any issues of race and/or inequities.

That the City of Mentoron-the Lake government stands steadfast with all of our residents against racism and reaffirms our commitment to justice and human and civil rights for all regardless of race, faith, sexual orientation, or country of origin and where all are valued, respected and treated with dignity, humanity, and compassion, and able to thrive.”

Towns said he was glad to see the city moving so swiftly on his request for a resolution, noting that he also has approached Mentor.

“I focus on one step at a time while being aware that the end goal is racial justice and equality.” — Brandon Towns

“Resolutions may lack the legal power of laws and statutes, but they do send a message to the community,” he said. “I focus on one step at a time while being aware that the end goal is racial justice and equality. When I saw Bay Village calling their city leaders to do the same and that Orange Village passed a similar resolution at the beginning of the month, I knew this would be a reasonable next step.

“One step at a time. I have the faith that we will reach our goal.”

NEWS-HERALD FILE Mentor-on-the-Lake resident Brandon Towns, in red poncho, leads the “Unarmed-Stay Alive Silent March” in Mentor on July 10, one of several events held during Mentor Racial Justice Week.