8914-17 Affirming Lakewood's Values

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RESOLUTION NO. 8914 -17 By, Anderson, Bullock, Litten, Marx, Nowlin, O'Leary, O'Malley. A RESOLUTION reaffirming the City of Lakewood's commitment to hope, equality, tolerance, inclusion, and optimism and affirming that Lakewood will continue its exciting growth and dynamism on a foundation of these. WHEREAS, let this resolution put all on notice that we will not consent to discrimination, registries, and targeting; that we renew our dedication to thoughtful public service and our belief that communities can be helpfully served by wise decisions and respectful deliberation; and that we will not allow society to be dragged backwards but instead rededicate ourselves to leading it forward. WHEREAS, Lakewood has been home to immigrants since before it was even Lakewood, and WHEREAS, immigrants have joined with the children, grandchildren, and great - grandchildren of immigrants to build and create Lakewood as it is today, and WHEREAS, Lakewood is also a city with a rich history of tolerance and a welcoming spirit for the LGBTQ community, and WHEREAS, the Lakewood of today is a city of Americans and Lakewoodites whose diverse backgrounds have enlivened our city life and contributed to the city's unique character, and WHEREAS, our shared experiences have instilled in Lakewood the values of empathy, compassion, toleration and understanding, and WHEREAS, we find our strength both in our common bonds and in our differences, and WHEREAS, Lakewood is a city whose celebration of America's Independence Day is also a celebration of the breadth and depth of the experiences of our multi - ethnic citizenry; we by this Resolution reaffirm Lakewood's commitment to diversity, its commitment to being a safe home to those in danger, a welcoming home for those who have been turned away, a new home to those who want to build lives in peace and harmony with their neighbors, and we reconfirm our commitment to challenge all forms of bigotry and hate that threaten the emotional, spiritual, and physical health of our citizens, and stand as a bulwark against all advances by those who seek to divide us and undermine our communal bonds; now, therefore, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY OF LAKEWOOD, STATE OF OHIO: Section 1. That this Council and Mayor, on behalf of the citizens of Lakewood, affirm our commitment to the strength and prosperity that derive from diversity and the justice that tolerance of all individuals imparts to our community; that we rededicate ourselves to the realization of our shared humanity and the principles stated above; and declare that it is our duty to uphold the same.