Agenda 09-03-19 Item 4-d - Resolution Condemning the Ku Klux Klan and Other Similar Groups

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RES-2019-056 DRAFT 2 ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS Resolution Condemning the Ku Klux Klan and Other Similar Groups WHEREAS, the Ku Klux Klan, consisting of numerous independent local groups throughout the United States, is an organization that symbolizes hatred; and WHEREAS, the Ku Klux Klan promotes violence, domestic terrorism and racial terrorism; and WHEREAS, intimidation, discrimination, oppression, and racism threaten American democracy; and WHEREAS, white supremacists are exploiting bigotry and have weaponized hate targeting African Americans, Latinos, Native Americans, Asian Americans, LGBTQ communities, immigrants,Jews, Muslims, and other people of color; and WHEREAS, there is an urgent need to ensure the safety and security of all Orange County residents, and WHEREAS, Orange County prides itself on being a diverse open community dedicated to fostering positive human relations, promoting the equal treatment of all individuals, encouraging goodwill and harmony among groups in the County; and protecting residents' personal dignity so as to make available to the County their full productive and creative capacities; and WHEREAS, Orange County fully embraces the rights guaranteed in the First Amendment to the Bill of Rights, but equally believes those rights do not give the right to any persons or groups to threaten the existence of others; NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT we, the Orange County Board of Commissioners, strongly oppose the activities of the Ku Klux Klan, reject white nationalist, white supremacist, neo-Nazis and other hate groups, and urge lawmakers in the State of North Carolina and the Federal Government to denounce threats posed by those groups. This the 3rd day of September 2019. Penny Rich, Chair Orange County Board of Commissioners