Resolution 58-R-19, “Commitment to End Structural Racism and Achieve Racial Equity”

6/5/2019
58-R-19
A RESOLUTION
COMMITMENT TO END STRUCTURAL RACISM AND ACHIEVE RACIAL
EQUITY
WHEREAS, City of Evanston embraces its racial diversity and seeks to
continue its path to being the Most Livable City in America; and
WHEREAS, City of Evanston believes that all individuals living or visiting the
City should be treated fairly and with respect and dignity; and
WHEREAS, the City of Evanston recognizes that there is an escalation of
hatred, bigotry, and overt racism in our country; and
WHEREAS, in order for the City of Evanston to fully embrace the change
necessary to move our community forward, it is necessary to recognize, and acknowledge
its own history of discrimination and racial injustice. The land we currently know as
Evanston originally belonged to the Potawatomi Tribes until their forceful and violent
relocation at the hands of white colonizers; John Evans, our city’s namesake, played a role
in the Sand Creek Massacre that killed approximately 150 Native Americans; and, the first
Evanston resident of African descent, Maria Murray, was a former slave purchased by the
Vane family to labor as a domestic in 1855, and
WHEREAS, the City of Evanston government recognizes that, like most, if not
all, communities in the United States, the community and the government allowed and
perpetuated racial disparity through the use of many regulatory and policy oriented tools.
Some examples would include, but not be limited to the use of zoning laws that supported
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neighborhood redlining, municipal disinvestment in the black community; and a history of
bias in government services. Such practices were often overt, but more often, covertly
adopted or incorporated under the guise of what would appear to be legitimate policy.
These ordinances and other city-wide practices have contributed to the decimation of
historically black neighborhoods, a lack of trust of government by some black residents,
and the collapse of a once economically thriving black community; and
WHEREAS, the City Council acknowledges that the trauma inflicted on
people of color by persistent white supremacist ideology results in psychological harm
affecting educational, economic, and social outcomes; and conjures painful memories of
our City's past not only for those who lived through them but also generations to follow,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF EVANSTON, COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS, THAT, IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE
FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES SET FORTH IN THE DECLARATION OF
INDEPENDENCE, WHICH ASSERTS AS A FUNDAMENTAL BASIS THAT ALL PEOPLE
ARE CREATED EQUAL AND ARE ENDOWED WITH THE UNALIENABLE RIGHTS OF
LIFE, LIBERTY AND THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS:
SECTION 1: The City Council of Evanston hereby acknowledges its own history
of racially-motivated policies and practices, apologizes for the damage this history has caused the
City, and declares that it stands against White Supremacy.
SECTION 2: The City Council of Evanston hereby rejects prejudice and bigotry
based on race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or national origin, including the idea that white
people are inherently better or more worthy than any other group of people and declares that it
stands against White Supremacy.
SECTION 3: The City Council of Evanston hereby condemns the actions, speech,
and attitudes of those who promote hate against any race, ethnicity or other basis, in an effort to
interfere with the unalienable rights of any human being. The City of Evanston hereby declares that
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it reaffirms its commitment, in collaboration with all residents, to pursue policies and take action to
ensure civil and human rights to all individuals.
SECTION 4: The City Council of Evanston hereby declares Evanston an anti-racist
city that strives to value all citizens, be a welcoming place to all people, and examine its own
practices that may unintentionally exclude some of our neighbors; particularly people of color.
SECTION 5: The City of Evanston hereby affirms its commitment to eradicating the
effects of systemically racist past practices from City Government and all City-affiliated
organizations. As the elected council, charged with representing the City of Evanston and its
residents whereby resolve to:
1. Participate in Racial Equity training in order to deepen our understanding of how our
decisions can hinder or promote equity for all, while paying particular attention to
those historically disadvantaged.
2. Join the Government Alliance for Racial Equity, a national network of government
(agencies) working to achieve racial equity and advance opportunities for all.
_______________________________
Stephen H. Hagerty, Mayor
Attest:
_______________________________
Devon Reid, City Clerk
Adopted: __________________, 2019
Approved as to form:
_______________________________
Michelle L. Masoncup, Corporation
Counsel
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