HomeMy WebLinkAbout4.8 Resolution in Support of Afghan Refugees and the People of AfghanistanSTAFF REPORT
CITY COUNCIL
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Agenda Item 4.8
DATE:September 21, 2021
TO:Honorable Mayor and City Councilmembers
FROM:Linda Smith, City Manager
SUBJECT:Resolution in Support of Afghan Refugees and the People of AfghanistanPrepared by:Colleen Tribby, Assistant City Manager
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:The City Council will consider a resolution acknowledging the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistanand declaring support for Afghan refugees and the people of Afghanistan.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:Adopt the Resolution in Support of Afghan Refugees and the People of Afghanistan.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:None.
DESCRIPTION:The City recognizes that the uncertainty and violence happening in Afghanistan as a result of the Taliban has created a humanitarian crisis that impacts 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. This resolution declares the City of Dublin’s support and welcoming of refugees from Afghanistan into our community and calls upon our residents, leaders, and organizations to do the same.
STRATEGIC PLAN INITIATIVE:None.
NOTICING REQUIREMENTS/PUBLIC OUTREACH:The City Council Agenda was posted.
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ATTACHMENTS:1) Resolution in Support of Afghan Refugees and the People of Afghanistan
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Attachment 1
Reso. No. XX-21, Item X.X, Adopted XX/XX/21 Page 1 of 2
RESOLUTION NO. XX – 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.
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Attachment 1
Reso. No. XX-21, Item X.X, Adopted XX/XX/21 Page 2 of 2
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 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:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
___________________________
Mayor
ATTEST:
_________________________________
City Clerk
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