CITY OF SEATTLE
RESOLUTION _________________
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A RESOLUTION expressing The City of Seattle’s fervent support for the designation of the area around the Stonewall Inn as a National Monument to be administered under the purview of the National Parks Service.
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WHEREAS, on June 28, 1969, riots broke out at the Stonewall Inn after a police raid meant to identify and penalize people for homosexual and gender non-conforming activity, resulting in days of rioting and protesting against the violent persecution of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer residents of New York City as well as the United States of America as a whole; and
WHEREAS, these riots were a major catalyst to the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer civil rights movement, bringing it to the fore of the American consciousness; and
WHEREAS, countless individuals present at the Stonewall riots as well as protests around the nation, including in Seattle, risked their safety, lives, and livelihoods in the effort to gain acceptance in their communities; and
WHEREAS, many lives were lost and continue to be lost in the violence against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer people in the United States of America; and
WHEREAS, The City of Seattle has also borne witness to attitudes and crimes of discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer residents; and
WHEREAS, the struggle for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer civil rights is a crucial part of our national history; and
WHEREAS, our beloved National Monuments provide effective means of commemoration and education to the population at large and to all who visit our nation; and
WHEREAS, The City of Seattle prides itself on standing in solidarity with lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer civil rights pioneers, past and present, and supporting safety and tolerance for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer communities; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SEATTLE, THE MAYOR CONCURRING, THAT:
Section 1. The City Council and the Mayor ask that President Barack Obama act under the authority granted him by 54 U.S.C. 3203 to designate the area around the Stonewall Inn a National Monument, under the care and administration of the National Parks Service.
Section 2. The City Council and the Mayor express to the fullest possible extent their desire to see this designation enacted prior to November 4, 2016.
Section 3. The City Council and the Mayor ask that other cities in our nation follow suit and express support for this crucial step for the recognition and memorialization of the struggle for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer civil rights in the United States of America.
Adopted by the City Council the ____ day of ____________________, 2016, and signed by me in open session in authentication of its adoption this ________ day of ______________________, 2016.
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President ___________ of the City Council
The Mayor concurred the _____ day of _______________________, 2016.
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Edward B. Murray, Mayor
Filed by me this ____ day of ________________________, 2016.
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Monica Martinez Simmons, City Clerk
(Seal)