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14 <br /> <br />● encourage civic, patriotic, historical, educational, artistic, religious, and economic <br />organizations to organize and participate in anniversary activities. <br /> <br />This the 3rd day of September 2019. <br /> <br />PUBLIC COMMENT: <br />Allison Mahaley, HRC member, thanked the Board of County Commissioners for its <br />service and for considering this proclamation, and said she wanted to speak to the BOCC as a <br />white woman, a southerner and one who has worked in public schools. She said this <br />Resolution, and the work that will come out of it, is greatly needed. She said the BOCC is <br />charged to fully engage in this work because it is made up of elected officials, and most are <br />white. She encouraged the Board to take on this work, as it is personally and systemically <br />transformational. <br />Anna Richards said she retired to Chapel Hill 6 years ago, and is the President of the <br />Chapel Hill-Carrboro chapter of the National Association of the Advancement of Colored People <br />(NAACP). She said she thought this area was an enlightened one, and she has been shocked <br />and appalled at the lack of information about the true history of this country. She said everyone <br />needs to understand America’s history, lest it be repeated. She said this Resolution, and the <br />work that it engages, allows for further dialogue as a government, a community and an <br />organization. <br />Commissioner Price said Orange County is involved with the HRC and the Department <br />on Aging with the event on September 16th. <br /> <br />A motion was made by Commissioner Price, seconded by Commissioner Greene for the <br />Board to approve the Proclamation and authorize the Chair to sign the Proclamation on behalf <br />of the Board. <br /> <br />VOTE: UNANIMOUS <br /> <br />d. Resolution Condemning the Ku Klux Klan and Other Similar Groups <br />The Board considered voting to approve a Resolution Condemning the Ku Klux Klan <br />(KKK) and Other Similar Groups and authorizing the Chair to sign. <br /> <br />Chair Rich said this Resolution is in response to the KKK demonstrating in front of the <br />Orange County Courthouse in Hillsborough. She said there had been some rumors that these <br />demonstrators came from Caswell County, and she received a call from Sterling Carter in <br />Caswell County, who said his County does not want to be known as a place that sends people <br />to Orange County to lead a KKK protest. She said both counties decided to write a Resolution <br />together, and to take a public stand condemning the KKK, and other such organizations. She <br />said the Resolution will also be sent to the other counties statewide. <br /> <br />BACKGROUND: The Ku Klux Klan, consisting of numerous independent local groups <br />throughout the United States, is an organization that symbolizes hatred. <br /> <br />Based on recent events in the Orange County community and nationwide, BOCC Chair Penny <br />Rich has proposed that the Orange County Board of Commissioners consider the attached <br />Resolution condemning the Ku Klux Klan and other similar groups. The Caswell County Board <br />of Commissioners will consider a similar Resolution at its September 3, 2019 Board meeting. <br />Orange County as a diverse open community stands in direct opposition to the activities of the <br />Ku Klux Klan and other similar groups. <br />