Council condemns hate speech groups
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. » The City Council passed a resolution Tuesday night condemning organizations that condone hate speech.
Earlier this month, pamphlets appeared in downtown Saratoga Springs on cars promoting membership in The Loyal White Knights of The Ku Klux Klan.
One of the flyers told people to “Love your own race” and to “Stop Homosexuality & Race mixing.”
The incident inspired a “Celebration of Open Hearts Rally” on Feb. 14 in front the U.S. Post Office on Broadway where dozens of people gathered, saying they were looking to counter the message of the KKK.
On Tuesday, Commissioner of Public Safety Peter Martin, brought forth the resolution which was unanimously passed by the five members.
The resolution said the City Council “believe in the value of diversity in our community and our welcoming to people of all races, religions and beliefs [and] Organizations condoning hate speech or other hateful activities do not have a home in our city.”
Furthermore, Martin said, “the residents of our community have a proven history of supporting and standing up for one another and this attempt to spread sickening ideology will be silenced by voices of positivity in Saratoga Springs.”
The resolution said the City Council hopes the “community uses this incident as an opportunity to reaffirm the open minded and welcoming nature of our city and its residents.”
In closing, the resolution said the City Council “condemns organizations condoning hate speech and reaffirms the city’s commitment to diversity, inclusivity and love.”
Police responded to a complaint on Woodlawn Avenue Feb. 11 at around 8 about a flyer being left on a vehicle. Officers then checked around the neighborhood and discovered that the flyers had been left on numerous vehicles in that area.
Additionally, four individuals handed identical pamphlets to at least four people walking on Broadway Saturday night Feb. 10.
This isn’t the first time the City Council has passed a resolution of this nature.
In December 2016, the City Council unanimously passed a resolution saying the council stands against any and all acts, by any person or persons, that are intended to demean, devalue, or intimate other because of their race, ethnicity, nation of origin, religion, gender, sexual identity, disability or political views. To the full extend of our authority, we will remain united, as a council and as a community, to safeguard the rights and privileges of everyone in our city.