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CC - Item 5A - Adopt Resolution No. 2023-42 Denouncing AntisemitismROSEMEAD CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL FROM: BEN KIM, CITY MANAGER DATE: JULY 25, 2023 SUBJECT: ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 2023-42 DENOUNCING ANTISEMITISM SUMMARY The City Council will consider adopting a Resolution denouncing antisemitism and sign the American Jewish Committee and US Conference of Mayors statement to combat the rise of antisemitic incidents as well as raise awareness in support of the Jewish community. BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION There has been an unprecedented spike in antisemitic incidents and attacks over the last several years in the United States. The Anti -Defamation League (ADL) has recorded 3,697 incidents of assault, harassment, and vandalism which is an increase of 36% compared to the number of reported incidents in 2021. As reported by the ADL, the widespread belief in antisemitic conspiracy theories and tropes nearly doubled since 2019 making it the highest level in 30 years. As stated by FBI Director Christopher Wray, "a full 63% of religious hate crimes are motivated by antisemitism — targeting a group that makes up 2.4% of our population. Foreign terrorist organizations like ISIS have promoted antisemitic violent extremism for decades. They continue to target Jewish Americans in their attack plots. But we also confront the threat of people here, on our soil, whose hateful views — often paraded online — boil over into acts of violence." To confront this crisis, Jason Moss, Executive Director of the Jewish Foundation of the Greater San Gabriel and Pomona Valleys, has reached out to the City of Rosemead to help raise awareness and combat this current climate of hatred against the Jewish community. The Jewish Foundation of the Greater San Gabriel and Pomona Valleys has requested that the City of Rosemead take steps to support the Jewish community, including adopting a Resolution denouncing and condemning antisemitism, and signing the American Jewish Committee and US Conference of Mayors statement to combat antisemitism. AGENDA ITEM 5.A City Council Meeting July 25, 2023 Paee 2 of 2 STAFF RECOMMENDATION It is recommended that the City Council adopt Resolution 2023-42 (Attachment A) denouncing antisemitism. FISCAL IMPACT There is no fiscal impact associated with the requested action. STRATEGIC PLAN IMPACT This item is consistent with the City of Rosemead's Strategic Plan Goal A — Safety, which is to ensure Rosemead is a safe city for all who live, work, and play here. PUBLIC NOTICE PROCESS This item has been noticed through the regular agenda notification process. Prepared by: Jennifer Pineda, Management Analyst Attachment A: Resolution No. 2023-42 Attachment B: Antisemitism Op -Ed Submitted by: /444�I Michael Bruckner, Assistant City Manager Attachment A Resolution No. 2023-42 RESOLUTION NO. 2023-42 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ROSEMEAD, CALIFORNIA, DENOUNCING ANTISEMITISM WHEREAS, the City of Rosemead is committed to inclusion and advancement of diversity and equity for people of all races, ethnicities, national origins, religions, ages, genders, and backgrounds; and WHEREAS, the City of Rosemead takes great pride in diversity and respect for all people, and the Jewish community is an important part of the City's fabric, recognizing our diversity as a key strength for the City and our character; and WHEREAS, the City of Rosemead supports national, state, and local government efforts directed at eradicating antisemitism and all forms of hatred, and supports expanded education programs, including Holocaust programs, to counter intolerance and discrimination; and WHEREAS, the City of Rosemead affirms that hatred and bias in any form are not acceptable in our community. The City of Rosemead remains committed to our vision of welcoming and serving the people of Rosemead to create a community that offers a premier quality of life; and WHEREAS, the Anti -Defamation League (AOL) recorded 3,697 incidents of assault, harassment, and vandalism in 2022, a 36% increase over 2021 reported incidents. The AOL also reported that widespread belief in antisemitic conspiracy theories and tropes nearly doubled since 2019 and remains at the highest levels in 30 years; and WHEREAS, FBI Director Christopher Wray stated in November 2022, "63% of religious hate crimes are motivated by antisemitism-targeting a group that makes up just 2.4% of our population"; and WHEREAS, the California Attorney General's 2021 Hate Crime in California Report shows that hate crimes reported in California increased 32.6% over the prior year and remain at their highest level since 2001, with anti-Jewish bias events increasing 32.2% from 115 to 152 incidents from 2020 to 2021; and WHEREAS, any victims of antisemitism in the City of Rosemead are urged to report any incidents - as hate crimes or bias -related events - so that local law enforcement can respond, track such incidents, and bring perpetrators to justice; and WHEREAS, the City of Rosemead, on behalf of its citizens and as supporters and allies of our Jewish community, does hereby proclaim the City of Rosemead's condemnation of antisemitism. The City of Rosemead strongly stands against hate, bias, or violence based on identity and remains committed to the principles of nondiscrimination and human rights. THE ROSEMEAD CITY COUNCIL HEREBY RESOLVES AS FOLLOWS: SECTION 1: That the City of Rosemead condemns all forms of hate, racism, and violence perpetrated, tolerated, or encouraged by any group or individual. SECTION 2: That the City of Rosemead supports our Jewish community members and condemns racism, intolerance, hate, and violent attacks against them. SECTION 3: That the City of Rosemead recognizes the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's (IHRA) working definition of antisemitism as "a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred towards Jews. Rhetorical and physical manifestations of antisemitism are directed toward Jewish or non-Jewish individuals and/or their property, toward Jewish community institutions and religious facilities." SECTION 4: That the City of Rosemead will continue to work alongside the American Jewish Committee, the Anti -Defamation League, the United States Conference of Mayors, and Jewish Federation of the Greater San Gabriel and Pomona Valleys to combat and denounce antisemitism. SECTION 5: That the City of Rosemead is committed to protecting all residents and families no matter their ethnicity, national origin, race, faith, sexual orientation, or gender and is committed to inclusion and advancing equity and justice for all people. Every person in Rosemead deserves to be treated fairly, with dignity, and to have their humanity, existence, history, and contributions valued. SECTION 6: Compliance with California Environmental Quality Act. The City Council finds that this Resolution is not subject to the California Environmental Quality Act ("CEQA") pursuant to Sections 15060(c)(2) (the activity will not result in a direct or reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment) and 15060(c)(3) (the activity is not a project as defined in Section 15378) of the State CEQA Guidelines, California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Chapter 3, because it has no potential for resulting in physical change to the environment, directly or indirectly. Further, if the activity is deemed a project this City Council finds that this Resolution is exempt pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) of the State CEQA Guidelines. SECTION 7: Certification. The City Clerk shall certify the passage and adoption of this resolution and enter it into the book of original resolutions. SECTION 8: Effective Date. This Resolution shall become effective immediately. PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 25th day of July, 2023. APPROVED AS TO FORM: Rachel H. Richman, City Attorney STATE OF CALIFORNIA COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES CITY OF ROSEMEAD [08"t grgc . 11190 SS: Steven Ly, Mayor ATTEST: Ericka Hernandez, City Clerk I, Ericka Hernandez, City Clerk of the City of Rosemead, California, do hereby certify that the foregoing Resolution No. 2023-42 was duly adopted by the City Council of the City of Rosemead, California, at a regular meeting thereof held on the 25`h day of July, 2023, by the following vote, to wit: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: ABSTAIN: Ericka Hernandez, City Clerk Attachment B Antisemitism Op -Ed JEWISH FEDERATION Oi TIE GREATER SAH GABRIEL AND POMpU VALLEYS Jews need others to stand with us to confront antisemitism This was an Op-ed written by our Executive Director, Jason Moss, that was printed in December 2022 in several local publications. Often referred to as the oldest form of hate, antisemitism has been around for 2,000 - plus years. The prevalence and prominence we are witnessing today have never caused the type of fear and security issues in the US for the Jewish community. Leading experts on hate consider antisemitism to be the "canary in the coal mine,'; indicating that hatred towards other traditionally marginalized ethnic groups is not far behind. So what exactly is antisemitism? Antisemitism "is a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews. Rhetorical and physical manifestations of antisemitism are directed toward Jewish or non-Jewish individuals and/or their property, toward Jewish community institutions and religious facilities." Last month, FBI Director Christopher Wray stated, "A full 63% of religious hate crimes are motivated by antisemitism—targeting a group that makes up just 2.4% of our population. Foreign terrorist organizations like ISIS have promoted antisemitic violent extremism for decades. They continue to target Jewish Americans in their attack plots. But we also confront the threat of people here, on our soil, whose hateful views—often paraded online—boil over into acts of violence." It isn't just the recent violence towards Jews that has made us feel unsafe; it's also incidents of intimidation. Remember the photos and videos from the 2017 Charlottesville, VA, "Unite the Right" rally where white supremacists chanted, "Jews will not replace us!" The recent string of flyers strewn on driveways throughout the community linking Jews to everything from COVID to "how every aspect of Disney child grooming" or "Trump's Campaign Funding" is Jewish is another form of intimidation. Add these incidents to the pervasiveness of antisemitism online, and the Jewish community feels like we are being hit from all sides, and the very essence of Jews' right to live is under attack. For example, recent surveys have indicated that Jews now feel frightened to wear a Star of David necklace or a yarmulke publicly for fear of being identified as a Jew. It has also hindered what they may say that could "out" them as being Jewish. Elkan Pleat, a 16 -year-old in Northern California, recently told his school board that he had been hiding his Jewish identity at school for the last two years for fear that he would be attacked if fellow students knew he was Jewish. He reported seeing over 20 swastikas around his campus and hearing jokes about how someone should "finish what the Nazis started," often referencing gas chambers and ovens. Jewish organizations are trying to raise awareness of this issue. This includes an innovative pink billboard ad campaign with messages like "Here's an idea: Let's ask everyone who's wondering if Jew hate is real to wear a yarmulke for a week and report back" and "Can a billboard end antisemitism? No. But you're not a billboard." More still needs to be done, and we need help! The Jewish community needs the non- Jewish community to not only stand with us but confront and combat this climate of hatred. Here are a few ways to help: - Be our ally. Your voice carries weight, especially if you aren't the target of the hatred. Call out any antisemitic or hateful comments you hear. Let people know that you are personally offended by these incidents. - Ask your spiritual leaders to deliver a sermon against antisemitism. They can leverage their position of influence to help educate fellow congregants. - Reach out to local officials, school districts, and corporations demanding they take action and make statements against antisemitism. Encourage these leaders to pass resolutions denouncing antisemitism, condemning hatred of all kinds, and committing to creating a safe environment. - Educate yourself about antisemitism's impact. We need more people to view specials like Dana Bash's CNN Special Report "Rising Hate: Antisemitism in America." This program focused on the idea that we can combat this crisis head- on through education. The Jewish community needs Lou as our ally. Stand with us as we confront this existential crisis of hatred directed towards Jews. Help us take action and use our collective voice to say that hatred of all kinds is wrong, and we will not tolerate it in our society. Jason Moss is the Executive Director of the Jewish Federation of the Greater San Gabriel and Pomona Valleys, an organization that serves as the Jewish voice for the community, whose mission is to strengthen and enhance Jewish life in the community, from Glendale to Rancho Cucamonga.