At a news conference July 18, the Central New York Citizens in Action (the Central New York Chapter of Citizen Action of New York) along with members of the City of Utica Common Council, celebrated the passage of the Welcoming City Resolution.
On June 5, 2017, the City of Utica Common Council unanimously passed a resolution which declares that Utica is a Welcoming City committed to protecting human rights. At the Council meeting tonight, Citizen Action presented Council members a Community Partnership Award as well as certificates of appreciation in recognition of their commitment to human rights and inclusion.
John Furman, President of the CNY Chapter of Citizen Action of New York, said: “The Central New York Citizens in Action would like to express our sincere appreciation to the City of Utica Common Council for this resolution, affirming the city as a Welcoming City for everyone, regardless of race, creed, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, socioeconomic class, national origin or political affiliation. It is appropriate for a city which has given a new life for refugees to identify itself as a place that welcomes diversity, values peace and freedom, and supports justice for all people. We congratulate the Utica Common Council for approving this important resolution. Citizen Action looks forward to working with the Utica Common Council on future projects to protect human rights and freedoms.”
Shana Dahlin, Board Member of the NY Chapter of Citizen Action of New York, said: On behalf of the CNY Chapter of Citizen Action of New York, we would like to sincerely thank the members of the Utica Common Council for passing the Welcoming City Resolution last month. This resolution commits to protect human rights, resist discrimination and ensure ‘liberty and justice for all.’ The City of Utica is home to a mosaic of different cultures and communities. We should be proud of the growing international presence in our once homogeneous area. There is plenty of space for all of us to live together—regardless of race, creed, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, socioeconomic class, national origin or political affiliation. Let us be an example—to the rest of the country and world—of the beauty that diversity brings. Let us be the reminder that we are indeed stronger together. And that Utica is paying attention and is continually fighting for the common good.”
The following is the text of the resolution:
Whereas, the City of Utica and its diverse citizens uphold the longstanding and cherished American values respecting freedom and dignity for all people;
Whereas, we are proud of being a city where over 40 languages are spoken in our schools and where we value religious, ethnic and other forms of diversity;
Whereas, the character of our city is defined by that diversity;
Whereas, Utica is a place where peace and freedom are valued and upheld;
Therefore, we declare the City of Utica to be a Welcoming City, for all, regardless of race, creed, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, socioeconomic class, national origin or political affiliation.
THEREFORE BE RESOLVED, that as a Welcoming City, we commit to: protect human rights, support the American aspiration to provide “liberty and justice for all,” and stand together in acts of civil courage to prevent, respond to, and resist discrimination in any form.