A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SONORA AFFIRMING THE CITY’S COMMITMENT TO EQUITY, FAIRNESS, & JUSTICE

“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network

of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly. Never again can we afford to live with the narrow,

provincial ‘outside agitator’ idea. Anyone who lives inside the United States can never be considered an outsider anywhere within its bounds.” - Letter from a Birmingham Jail. Martin Luther

King, Jr.

WHEREAS, the City of Sonora acknowledges the Tuolumne Band of Me-wuk Indians and the Chicken Ranch Tribe of Me-wuk Indians as the original inhabitants and stewards of this land, who continue to be strong, beloved leaders, and impactful members of this community; and

WHEREAS, the City of Sonora affirms its wish to be known, not only for the beauty of its place in the Sierra Nevada foothills and its vibrant Gold Country history, but to be known for being a champion of racial equity, justice, and acceptance; and

WHEREAS, the City of Sonora is proud of its Gold Rush history, which created opportunities for many people. However, this was also a period of violence, exclusion, and unjust laws against Indigenous, Chinese, Mexican, Chilean, and others; and

WHEREAS, the City of Sonora is committed to seeking a thoughtful and inclusive way to heal the wounds and inequities, reconcile the divide, and take steps to make sure that acts of violence, aggression, or exclusion will not happen against any marginalized groups, including but not limited to, Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC), those living in poverty, and those unhoused, those with mental or physical disabilities, and members of the LGBTQIA+ community; and

WHEREAS, the City of Sonora proclaims that it is committed to diversity, equity, and an atmosphere of inclusiveness and it respects the dignity of every person without regard to race, sex, religion, ancestry, national origin, immigration status, marital status, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or political affiliation. The City denounces all hate and discrimination in any form; and

WHEREAS, the City of Sonora recognizes that the City’s diversity will continue to change, the City of Sonora acknowledges its responsibility to be culturally aware and racially and socially equitable; and

WHEREAS, the City of Sonora understands that we cannot reconcile the divide of the present without building a culture of inquiry and learning and must commit to listening and considering different points of view, especially towards those with whom we disagree; and

WHEREAS, the City of Sonora recognizes this as a historic moment to be seized upon and believes it cannot answer this time with silence.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the City of Sonora and its community welcomes and embraces cultural awareness and inclusivity and pledges to be a refuge, ally, and provide a safe zone to people of all racial, ethnic, and multicultural backgrounds for conversations, reflection, and understanding.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the City of Sonora, to fulfill its obligation to protect the public’s safety and promote human rights and racial justice, proclaims that it is committed to acknowledging and celebrating diversity and equity and contributing to an atmosphere of inclusion that respects the dignity of every person without regard to race, sex, religion, ancestry, national origin, immigration status, marital status, age, physical or emotional disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, economic status, or political affiliation. The City of Sonora denounces all hate and discrimination in any form.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the City of Sonora calls to residents to treat their neighbors with kindness, empathy, trust, and respect so that we may live and thrive together in a community of acceptance and peace.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the City of Sonora will promote an atmosphere of inclusion, listening, and addressing disparities that may arise in its future, focusing on our community’s needs and values.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the City of Sonora pledges to engage individuals more impacted by social inequities, fostering a community where all ethnicities, cultural backgrounds, sexual orientations, and religions feel safe, represented, and included within our community.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the City of Sonora, in concert with City Staff, the City Council, the Social Equity Committee, and community partners, will work to identify existing disparities and systemic barriers and develop a plan to achieve intended Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI) outcomes and report measurable progress as a part of the Council’s goal-setting exercise, while also recognizing and celebrating progress already made in the community.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the City of Sonora understands that this cannot be the work of the City alone and that we must join as a community, with groups and individuals interested in and committed to creating a racially and socially equitable community.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the City of Sonora will join in community, to keep this conversation alive, with a commitment to heal the wounds of past and present racial injustices as well as the current divide, preventing future harm from happening with ongoing honest and civil discourse to discourage all forms of discriminatory practices that are damaging, not only to individuals, but to the economic prosperity and wellbeing of our community.