HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-12-03 ProclamationCITY OIF IOWA CITY
www.icgov.org
December 3, 2019
ATTACHMENTS:
Description
Human Rights Day proclamation
Item Number: 2.a.
City of Iowa City
PROCLAMATION
Whereas, the City of Iowa City is committed to the pursuit of equality, dignity, and justice for all; ar
Whereas, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights asserts recognition of the inherent dignity and
of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family as the foundation of freedom,
justice, and peace; and
Whereas, freedom of opinion and freedom of expression are fundamental human rights, protected in
Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and given legal force through all major
international and regional human rights treaties; and
Whereas, the scope of the right to freedom of expression is broad, the right to freedom of expression
is not an absolute right; and
Whereas, hate speech is an intense and irrational emotion of contempt, hostility, and detestation
towards an individual or group, and awareness of nonviolent principles and practices is a powerful way
to heal and transform our lives and communities, to recognize the dignity and worth of every human
being, and to promote peace and harmony among all people; and
Whereas, it takes a community together to pledge to stand up to all forms of hate, bigotry and
bullying, to not stay silent in the face of intolerance based on race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender
identity, religion, or any other identity; and
Whereas, creating dialogue and new relationships is really what makes this effort meaningful; and
Whereas, the Iowa City Human Rights Commission, the Iowa City Police Department, the Johnson
County Sheriff's Office, the University of Iowa, and the Iowa United Nations Association worked
together to produce Unite! Don't Fight, an informational brochure explaining how our community can
take a stand against hate speech.
Now, Therefore, 1, James A. Throgmorton, Mayor of Iowa City, do hereby proclaim December 10,
2019 to be
Human Rights Day
in Iowa City, Iowa and encourage all residents to join together to fight against hate in our community.
Ma or
Signed in Iowa City, Iowa,
this 3rd day of December 2
In the face of hatred,
apathy will be interpreted
as acceptance by the
perpetrators, the public and
- worse- the victims.
Reach out to allies and
create a diverse coalition of
churches, schools, clubs,
civic groups, police, and the
media.
Hate speech victims are
especially vulnerable.
Silence amplifies isolation.
Support victims and help
them speak out.
Hate must be exposed and
denounced. Speak up in
ways that draw attention
away from hate and
towards unity.
We take hate speech seriously. As
individuals and as a community,
the best thing you can do is:
Speak up.
Even if you don't think a crime
has been committed, call the
police to report the incident.
Law enforcement tracks and
investigates all reports.
Call: 319-356-6800
Let's commit to disrupting hate and
intolerance at home. at school. in the
workplace and in our faith
communities.
IOWA CITY HUMAN RIGHTS
141007, if if el?']
410 E. Washington St. Iowa City, Iowa 52240
(319) 356-5022
IOWA CITY UNITED NATIONS
ASSOCIATION
20 E Market #200 St. Iowa City, Iowa 52240
(319) 337-7290
HATE
SPEECH
NO
HATE
We can fight hate speech
and the hurt it causes as a
community!
HATE SPEECH AND YOU
* This brochure provides information about hate speech, what it is and isn't, and
what you can do when you or others are confronted with verbal or written
expressions of hate. The more you know, the better equipped you are to handle
HATE HAS NO HOME HERE. hate speech, especially the emotional toll it can take. The best remedy for hate
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ii WHAT IS HATE SPEECH?
Hate speech is verbal or written communication expressing hatred for some group. It covers
all forms of expression which spread, incite, promote or justify racial hatred, xenophobia,
Anti-Semitism, discrimination, or other forms of hatred based intolerance. Speech that
demeans on the basis of race, ethnicity, gender, religion, age, disability, or any similar ground
is hateful.
HATE SPEECH & THE FIRST AMENDMENT:
The U.S. Supreme Court has repeatedly ruled that hate speech is legally protected free
speech under the First Amendment. Speech cannot be punished just because of its hateful
content. But when you get beyond content and look at context, speech with a hateful
message can be hurtful. One person's hate speech is another's legitimate expression of
opinion.
While not punishable by law, hate speech can be insulting and feel threatening. You can feel
emotionally disturbed. You can feel psychic trauma, which can have physiological
manifestations. You can feel silenced. These are all real harms that may be suffered by
people who are subject to hate speech that is not punishable.
HATE SPEECH & HATE CRIME: .
Hate crime doesn't always involve hate speech and hate speech in and of itself is not always
a hate crime. A group may use hate speech in an attempt to discriminate but unless the
group has broken a law, it is not a hate crime. Hate speech is an attack based on some
characteristic. While it may not be a crime, hate speech expresses racism, discrimination and
exclusion.