Title
Resolve: That the City Council condemn violence and hate speech, expressing solidarity with Muslims and all those targeted for their ethnicity, race or religion
Body
WHEREAS the United States was founded by immigrants, many fleeing religious persecution, who enshrined freedom of religion as one of our nation's fundamental legal and ethical principles; and
WHEREAS despite these founding principles, there has been a history of discrimination in the United States based on ethnicity, race or religion; and
WHEREAS there has been an unprecedented backlash since 9/11 in the form of hate crimes and employment discrimination toward Arab and Muslim Americans and those perceived as Muslims; and
WHEREAS there are more than 3 million Muslims living in the United States today, and approximately six thousand living in the city of Malden , making invaluable contributions to our economy, our social and political life, and our culture; and
WHEREAS, the history of Islam in the United States began even before its founding when African Muslims were enslaved and brought to the Americas, where they later helped in numerous ways to build this country, including sacrificing their lives on the line in every major war from the Revolutionary War on; and
WHEREAS Arab and Muslim Americans, and those perceived as Muslims, are frequently the targets of abusive and discriminatory police practices sanctioned by the state including surveillance in their neighborhoods and places of worship; and
WHEREAS we are saddened and outraged at the recent escalation of hateful rhetoric against Muslims, those perceived to be Muslims, immigrants, and all people of color, and we are particularly concerned to see political figures and elected government officials leading this escalation and using it in order to gain power; and
WHEREAS in the face of extreme bigotry and violence, Muslim communities and their leaders are using the language and teachings of Islam to promote peace and justice and s...
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