HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda Report - December 1, 2021 C-22AGENDA ITEM (!o-22
AMCITY OF LODI
COUNCIL COMMUNICATION
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AGENDA TITLE: Consider Request of Council Member Hothi to Pass a Resolution Supporting
Afghan Refugees, the People of Afghanistan, and Members of the United States
Armed Forces
MEETING DATE: December 1, 2021
PREPARED BY: City Manager
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Consider request of Council Member Hothi to pass a resolution
supporting Afghan Refugees, the People of Afghanistan, and
Members of the United States Armed Forces.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION: In February 2020, the Afghan Taliban signed a peace agreement
with the United States ("U.S.") ahead of a proposed withdrawal of
U.S. troops, and in April 2021, President Biden announced that U.S,
military forces would leave Afghanistan by September 11, 2021, after a 20 -year conflict. Thereafter, the
Taliban ramped up attacks on Afghan National Defense and Security Forces bases and outposts, and on
August 15, 2021, Taliban fighters entered the capital, leading Afghan President Ashraf Ghani to flee the
country and the Afghan government to collapse. During this conflict, Members of the United States
Armed Forces showed extraordinary heroism and bravery including during the withdrawal by assisting in
evacuations, providing security, and making courageous life or death decisions. Tragically, some
members also lost their lives in the violence.
The ongoing uncertainty and violence in Afghanistan and the takeover of the Afghan government by the
Taliban has created a humanitarian crisis, with rapidly deteriorating human rights and reductions in safety
particularly for vulnerable individuals, including, but not limited to: women and girls, members of the
LGBTQ+ community, those who have direct ties to the U.S. government and military, members of ethnic
minority communities, those who are Shi'a Muslim, adherents of non -Muslim faiths, including those of
Sikh and Hindu faiths, and individuals who work for or have ties to non-governmental organizations
(NGOs) providing aid.
Many Afghan citizens, government employees, interpreters, translators, and Afghan National Defense
and Security Forces personnel who supported U.S. service members while they were serving in
Afghanistan now find their lives and their family's lives in jeopardy under Taliban rule. Refugees and their
families face a multitude of challenges when arriving in the United States and transitioning to a new life,
including but not limited to: resettlement, language barriers, financial hardship, accessing education,
finding work, and legal status.
Federal and state leaders in California, specifically in the Sacramento region, home to the largest
concentration of Afghans and Afghan -Americans in the United States, have the unique and moral
responsibility to welcome Afghan refugees into our communities, while honoring the commitments of the
United States government, assisting in the evacuation of vulnerable groups, providing support to
APPROVED: Steve Schwabauer
Stephen Schwabauer, City Manager
Consider Request of Council Member Hothi to Pass a Resolution Supporting Afghan Refugees, the People of Afghanistan, and
Members of the United States Armed Forces
December 1, 2021
Page 2 of 2
organizations who will serve the refugee community, and showing support for the Afghan community
during this difficult time.
For these reasons, Council Member Hothi request that the Council consider the attached resolution
urging state and federal leaders to act immediately to bring at -risk and vulnerable Afghan peoples and
their families to the United States for safety and prosperity and be afforded the full ability to transition into
American life. And further affirm that the City of Lodi supports and welcomes refugees from Afghanistan
into our community and calls upon our residents, community leaders, businesses, faith -based
organizations, and community-based organizations to welcome and support these Afghan families to
achieve their inherent right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. And further resolve that the City
Council of the City of Lodi supports the members of the United States Armed Forces and acknowledges
their bravery while serving our country and assisting the people of Afghanistan.
FISCAL IMPACT: Not applicable.
FUNDING AVAILABLE: Not applicable.
Steve Schwabauer
Steve Schwabauer
City Manager
Signature: !' "^`"^
Ste r (Nov 16, 202112:07 PST)
Email: sschwabauer@lodi.gov
RESOLUTION NO. 2021-330
A RESOLUTION OF THE LODI CITY COUNCIL SUPPORTING
AFGHAN REFUGEES, THE PEOPLE OF AFGHANISTAN, AND
MEMBERS OF THE UNITED STATES ARMED FORCES
WHEREAS, in February 2020, the Afghan Taliban signed a peace agreement with the
United States ("U.S.") ahead of a proposed withdrawal of U.S. troops, and in April 2021, President
Biden announced that U.S. military forces would leave Afghanistan by September 11, 2021, after
a 20 -year conflict; and
WHEREAS, the Taliban ramped up attacks on Afghan National Defense and Security
Forces bases and outposts, and on August 15, 2021, Taliban fighters entered the capital, leading
Afghan President Ashraf Ghani to flee the country and the Afghan government to collapse; and
WHEREAS, members of the United States Armed Forces showed extraordinary heroism
and bravery throughout the military conflict in Afghanistan, including during the withdrawal by
assisting in evacuations, providing security, and making courageous life or death decisions.
Tragically, some members also lost their lives in the violence; and
WHEREAS, the ongoing uncertainty and violence in Afghanistan and the takeover of the
Afghan government by the Taliban has created a humanitarian crisis, with rapidly deteriorating
human rights and reductions in safety, particularly for vulnerable individuals, including, but not
limited to: women and girls, members of the LGBTQ+ community, those who have direct ties to
the U.S. government and military, members of ethnic minority communities, those who are Shi'a
Muslim, adherents of non -Muslim faiths, including those of Sikh and Hindu faiths, and individuals
who work for or have ties to non-governmental organizations (NGOs) providing aid; and
WHEREAS, many Afghan citizens, government employees, interpreters, translators, and
Afghan National Defense and Security Forces personnel who supported U.S. service members
while they were serving in Afghanistan now find their lives and their family's lives in jeopardy
under Taliban rule; and
WHEREAS, refugees and their families face a multitude of challenges when arriving in the
United States and transitioning to a new life, including but not limited to: resettlement, language
barriers, financial hardship, accessing education, finding work, and legal status; and
WHEREAS, federal and state leaders in California, specifically in the Sacramento region,
home to the largest concentration of Afghans and Afghan -Americans in the United States, have
the unique and moral responsibility to welcome Afghan refugees into our communities, while
honoring the commitments of the United States government, assisting in the evacuation of
vulnerable groups, providing support to organizations who will serve the refugee community, and
showing support for the Afghan community during this difficult time.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Lodi City Council does hereby urge state
and federal leaders to act immediately and with determination, to rightfully bring at -risk and
vulnerable Afghan peoples and their families to the United States for safety and prosperity and
be afforded the full ability to transition into American life. We do hereby affirm that the City of Lodi
supports and welcomes refugees from Afghanistan into our community and calls upon our
residents, community leaders, businesses, faith -based organizations, and community-based
organizations to welcome and support these Afghan families to achieve their inherent right to life,
liberty, and the pursuit of happiness; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED by the Lodi City Council that Lodi supports the members of
the United States Armed Forces and acknowledges their bravery while serving our country and
assisting the people of Afghanistan.
Dated: December 1, 2021
---------------
I hereby certify that Resolution No. 2021-330 was passed and adopted by the City Council
of the City of Lodi in a regular meeting held December 1, 2021, by the following vote:
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS — Chandler, Hothi, Khan, Kuehne, and
Mayor Nakanishi
NOES: COUNCIL MEMBERS — None
ABSENT: COUNCIL MEMBERS — None
ABSTAIN: COUNCIL MEMBERS — None
JENNIF R CUSMIR
City Clerk
2021-330