HomeMy WebLinkAboutR-20-0303City of Miami
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Legislation
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Resolution: R-20-0303
File Number: 7946
City Hall
3500 Pan American Drive
Miami, FL 33133
www.miamigov.com
Final Action Date: 9/24/2020
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION RECOGNIZING THE
GROWING PROBLEM OF ANTISEMITISM IN AMERICA AND CALLING FOR
THE ADOPTION OF THE INTERNATIONAL HOLOCAUST REMEMBRANCE
ALLIANCE'S ("IHRA") WORKING DEFINITION OF ANTISEMITISM, INCLUDING
THE ELEVEN (11) CONTEMPORARY EXAMPLES STATED HEREIN, AS AN
IMPORTANT TOOL TO ADDRESS IT; FURTHER DIRECTING THE CITY
MANAGER TO ENSURE THAT THE IHRA WORKING DEFINITION OF
ANTISEMITISM IS AVAILABLE AS AN EDUCATION RESOURCE FOR THE
DEPARTMENT OF POLICE AND OTHER CITY OF MIAMI DEPARTMENTS
AND AGENCIES RESPONSIBLE FOR ADDRESSING ANTISEMITISM AND
OTHER FORMS OF DISCRIMINATION.
SPONSOR(S): Mayor Francis X. Suarez
WHEREAS, antisemitism, including harassment on the basis of actual or perceived
Jewish origin, ancestry, ethnicity, identify, affiliation, or faith, remains a persistent, pervasive,
and disturbing problem in American society; and
WHEREAS, Jews continue to be a targeted minority in the United States and are
consistently the most likely of all religious groups to be victimized by incidents of hate, and such
incidents are increasing at an alarming rate; and
WHEREAS, the deadliest attack against the American Jewish community took place on
October 27, 2018 at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania where eleven
worshippers were killed and several more were injured; and
WHEREAS, state officials and institutions have a responsibility to protect citizens from
acts of hate and bigotry, including antisemitism, and must be given the tools to do so; and
WHEREAS, valid monitoring, informed analysis and investigation, and effective policy -
making all benefit from accurate and uniform definitions; and
WHEREAS, in May 2016, the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance ("IHRA"),
by consensus vote of its member states, adopted a Working Definition of Antisemitism, which
has become the internationally recognized, authoritative definition for use by governments and
international organizations; and
WHEREAS, that definition is "Antisemitism is a certain perception of Jews, which may be
expressed as hatred toward Jews. Rhetorical and physical manifestations of antisemitism are
directed toward Jewish or non-Jewish individuals and/or their property, toward Jewish
community institutions and religious facilities"; and
WHEREAS, according to the IHRA, "Manifestations might include the targeting of the
state of Israel, conceived as a Jewish collectivity. However, criticism of Israel similar to that
City of Miami Page 1 of 2 File ID: 7946 (Revision:) Printed On: 1012912020
File ID: 7946
Enactment Number: R-20-0303
leveled against any other country cannot be regarded as antisemitic. Antisemitism frequently
charges Jews with conspiring to harm humanity, and it is often used to blame Jews for `why
things go wrong.' It is expressed in speech, writing, visual forms and action, and employs
sinister stereotypes and negative character traits"; and
WHEREAS, the IHRA Working Definition has proven to be an essential tool used to
determine contemporary manifestations of antisemitism; and
WHEREAS, in the United States ("U.S."), the IHRA Working Definition is utilized by
various government and law enforcement agencies in monitoring, training, and education,
including the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Education;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
MIAMI, FLORIDA:
Section 1. The recitals and findings contained in the Preamble to this Resolution are
hereby adopted by reference and incorporated herein as if fully set forth in this Section.
Section 2. The City of Miami recognizes the growing problem of antisemitism in the U.S.
and adopts the non -binding IHRA Working Definition of Antisemitism, including the eleven (11)
contemporary examples stated therein, as an important tool to address it.
Section 3. The City Commission directs the City Manager to ensure that the IHRA
Working Definition of Antisemitism is available as an education resource for the Department of
Police and other City departments and agencies responsible for addressing antisemitism and
other forms of discrimination.
Section 4. This Resolution shall become effective immediately upon its adoption.
APPROVED AS TO FORM AND CORRECTNESS:
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i ria i `ndez, City Attor iey 10/1/2020
City of Miami Page 2 of 2 File ID: 7946 (Revision:) Printed on: 1012912020