HomeMy WebLinkAboutProclamations
City of San Rafael
Proclamation in Recognition of
LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL, TRANSGENDER, QUEER,
INTERSEX, ASEXUAL, PLUS (LGBTQIA+) PRIDE MONTH
JUNE 1 – 30, 2024
WHEREAS, The LGBTQIA+ community encompasses a diverse range of identities
and experiences including but not limited to lesbian, gay, bisexual,
transgender, queer, intersex, and asexual individuals, who have
historically faced and continue to face discrimination, stigma, and
violence in various aspects of life; and
WHEREAS, The month of June is recognized globally as LGBTQIA+ Pride Month, in
honor of the Stonewall Riots of June 1969 in New York City, a pivotal
event in the LGBTQIA+ rights movement that galvanized individuals
and communities to advocate for equality, justice, and human rights; and
WHEREAS, LGBTQIA+ Pride Month serves as an important opportunity to celebrate
the progress made towards equality and inclusivity, to honor the
contributions and achievements of LGBTQIA+ individuals in all fields of
endeavor, and to acknowledge the ongoing struggles and challenges that
the community continues to face; and
WHEREAS, LGBTQIA+ individuals, both young and old, continue to face hate,
discrimination, and persistent efforts to undermine their voices and
human rights in the United States and worldwide, and face high rates of
depression and suicide, particularly among the transgender community;
and
WHEREAS, The City of San Rafael celebrates a diverse LGBTQIA+ community here
and throughout the Bay Area, and condemns hate, bigotry, and
discrimination,
WHEREAS, The City is committed to supporting visibility, dignity, and equity for all
and pushes for progress and inclusivity; and
WHEREAS, The rainbow flag is widely recognized as a symbol of pride, inclusion,
and support for social movements that advocate for LGBTQIA+ people
in society, the City of San Rafael will observe Pride Month with a Pride
flag raising ceremony to honor the legacies of the LGBTQIA+ community
and individuals, their perseverance, and the resolute drive to continue
working towards a more supportive and inclusive society.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Mayor and City Council of the City of San Rafael
hereby proclaim June 1 – 30, 2024, as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersexual,
Asexual, Plus (LGBTQIA+) Pride Month, to inspire equity, create alliances, celebrate
diversity, and establish the City as a safe environment, and to unequivocally show this
support, directs staff to fly the Progress Pride Flag at City Hall for the entirety of the month
of June.
Kate Colin
Mayor
City of San Rafael
Proclamation in Recognition of
NATIONAL GUN VIOLENCE AWARENESS DAY
JUNE 7, 2024
WHEREAS, The first Friday in June is declared as National Gun Violence Awareness
Day to honor and remember all victims and survivors of gun violence
and to declare that as a country, state, city, and individually, we all must
do more to educate ourselves on and reduce gun violence; and
WHEREAS, Guns are the leading cause of death among American children and teens,
with 1 out of 10 gun deaths are of people aged 19 or younger, and gun
violence and school shootings are a uniquely American epidemic; and
WHEREAS, Every day, more than 100 Americans are killed by gun violence and on
average there are more than 13,000 gun-related homicides every year
and Americans are 25 times more likely to die by gun homicide than
people in other high-income countries; and
WHEREAS, Support for the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding citizens goes
hand-in-hand with keeping guns away from people with dangerous
histories; and
WHEREAS, Gun violence can be avoided if warning signs are learned, and
intervention and support is provided, whether be violence or harm
against oneself or others, knowing that support is available and utilizing
those systems can help stop the personal and collective trauma of gun
violence; and
WHEREAS, The City and community renew our commitment to reduce gun violence
and pledge to do all we can to keep firearms out of the wrong hands and
encourage responsible gun ownership to help keep our families,
children, and community safe.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Mayor and City Council of the City of San Rafael
hereby proclaim June 7, 2024, as National Gun Violence Awareness Day, and call upon our
residents, government agencies, public and private institutions, businesses, and schools in
San Rafael to commit to increasing awareness on gun violence and encourages all citizens to
support our local efforts to honor and value human lives by preventing the misuse of guns
and the tragic effects of gun violence..
Kate Colin
Mayor
City of San Rafael
Proclamation in Recognition of
NATIONAL IMMIGRANT HERITAGE MONTH
June 1 – 30, 2024
WHEREAS, Individuals from across the world have migrated to America, driven by
a multitude of factors – some seeking opportunities, livelihood, family
connections, and new starts; however, it is imperative to recognize that
many were also pushed by circumstances such as violence, corruption,
climate change, instability, and poverty; and
WHEREAS, The complexities of migration must be considered in context of the
devastating impacts colonization on indigenous peoples, and the impact
of colonization on the lands that we stand on today, first stewarded by
the Coast Miwok people for innumerable generations before settlers
came, and who continue to reside in and remain active members of the
community; and
WHEREAS, When communities are built through weaving of people and cultures,
values become shared, new ideas, innovations, energies, and progress
are brought forth, wounds can be acknowledged and worked towards
healing, all contributing to and strengthening society, the economy, and
building new traditions to pass down through generations; and
WHEREAS, Many immigrants have had pathways to citizenship, others have faced
multiple barricades to their start or process of pursuing of citizenship,
rights, and freedoms, through the systemic challenges of the
immigration process and systems; and
WHEREAS, More than 1 in 4 residents of San Rafael were born in another country.
The City of San Rafael supports and encourages the community to
welcome and embrace new residents who are or have immigrated here,
respect and acknowledge their pathways to this point, and work to better
understand each other and the common threads that unite us; and
WHEREAS, It is important to know and celebrate our individual heritage stories and
those in the world around us, and to celebrate the accomplishments,
impacts, and contributions that immigrants have made to this nation, the
Bay Area region, and to San Rafael, and recognize the resilience of those
who persevered for their dreams and those who remained strong
through the changing dynamics of their homelands.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Mayor and City Council of the City of San Rafael
hereby proclaim June 1 – 30, 2024, as National Immigrant Heritage Month, and encourages
all residents to recognize their own heritage, the immigration stories of our families, and the
continued need for acceptance and understanding, and that all voices and experiences have
a need to be heard, valued, and respected.
Kate Colin
Mayor
City of San Rafael
Proclamation in Recognition of
ALZHEIMER'S AND BRAIN AWARENESS MONTH
June, 2024
WHEREAS, Alzheimer's disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that
affects millions of individuals worldwide, including community
members in San Rafael, and has a lasting impact on the family, friends,
and supporters of those with Alzheimer’s; and
WHEREAS, more than 6 million Americans are currently living with Alzheimer's
disease, and this number is expected to triple by 2060; and
WHEREAS, Alzheimer's disease is the sixth leading cause of death in the United
States, and it is the only disease among the top ten causes of death that
cannot be prevented, cured, or slowed; and
WHEREAS, the City of San Rafael recognizes the importance of raising awareness
about Alzheimer's disease and other dementias and the need for support
and services for individuals and families affected by these conditions;
and
WHEREAS, the Alzheimer's Association and other organizations are dedicated to
Alzheimer's research and to encouraging all citizens to learn more about
the signs and symptoms of Alzheimer's disease, seek early diagnosis,
and support ongoing research efforts; and
WHEREAS, the City of San Rafael supports efforts to increase public awareness,
provide education, and promote research to improve the quality of life
for individuals living with Alzheimer's disease and other dementias,
their caregivers, and the friends and family that support and are
impacted by their diagnosis;
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Mayor and City Council of the City of San Rafael
hereby proclaim June as Alzheimer's and Brain Awareness Month and encourage initiatives
that promote awareness, education, and support for those affected by Alzheimer's disease
and other dementias.
Kate Colin
Mayor