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HomeMy WebLinkAboutReso 109-21 In Support of Afghan Refugees and the People of AfghanistanReso. No. 109-21, Item 4.8, Adopted 09/21/2021 Page 1 of 2 RESOLUTION NO. 109 - 21 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DUBLIN IN SUPPORT OF AFGHAN REFUGEESAND THE PEOPLE OF AFGHANISTAN WHEREAS, in February 2020, the Afghan Taliban signed a peace agreement with the United States (“US”) ahead of a proposed withdrawal of US troops, and in April 2021, President Biden announced that US military forces would leave Afghanistan by September 11, 2021 after a 20-year conflict; and WHEREAS, the Taliban ramped up attacks on Afghan National Defense and Security Forces bases and outposts, and on August 15, 2021, Taliban fighters entered the capital, leading Afghan President Ashraf Ghani to flee the country and the Afghan government to collapse; and WHEREAS, the ongoing uncertainty and violence in Afghanistan and the takeover of the Afghan government by the Taliban has created a humanitarian crisis, with rapidly deteriorating human rights and reductions in safety particularly for vulnerable individuals, including, but not limited to: women and girls, members of the LGBTQ+ community, those who have direct ties to the U.S. government and military, members of ethnic minority communities, those who are Shi'a Muslim, adherents of non-Muslim faiths including those of Sikh and Hindu faiths, and individuals who work for or have ties to aid organizations; and WHEREAS, many Afghan citizens, government employees, interpreters, translators, and Afghan National Defense and Security Forces personnel who supported our service members while they were serving in Afghanistan now find their lives and their family’s lives in jeopardy under Taliban rule; and WHEREAS, refugees and their families face a multitude of challenges when arriving in the United States and transitioning to a new life, including but not limited to; resettlement, language barriers, financial hardship, accessing education, finding work and legal status; and WHEREAS, federal and state leaders in California, specifically in the Bay Area, home to the largest concentration of Afghans and Afghan Americans in the United States, have the unique and moral responsibility to welcome Afghan refugees into our communities, while honoring the commitments of the United States government, assisting in the evacuation of vulnerable groups, providing support to organizations who will serve the refugee community, and showing support for the Afghan community during this difficult time. THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Dublin urges our state and federal leaders to act immediately and with determination, and rightfully bring at-risk and vulnerable Afghan peoples and their families to the United States for safety and prosperity and to be afforded full benefits to transition into American life; specifically, the City of Dublin Reso. No. 109-21, Item 4.8, Adopted 09/21/2021 Page 2 of 2 encourages California to accept more, and house more, Afghan refugees than any other US State. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Dublin supports and welcomes refugees from Afghanistan into our community and calls upon our residents, community leaders, businesses, faith-based organizations, and community-based organizations to welcome and support these Afghan families to achieve their inherent right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 21st day of September 2021, by the following vote: AYES: Councilmembers Hu, Josey, Kumagai, McCorriston and Mayor Hernandez NOES: ABSENT: ABSTAIN: ___________________________ Mayor ATTEST: ___________________________ City Clerk