CITY
OF KALAMAZOO, MICHIGAN
RESOLUTION
NO. __________
A
COMMUNITY RESOLUTION TO PROTECT CIVIL LIBERTIES
Minutes of a regular meeting of the City Commission of
the City held on October 6, 2003, at 7:00 p.m., local time, at the City Hall.
PRESENT,
Commissioners:
ABSENT,
Commissioners:
Whereas,
the City of Kalamazoo has a long and distinguished history of protecting and
expanding the civil rights and civil liberties of all of its residents when
their liberties are threatened; and
Whereas, the City of Kalamazoo has a diverse population, including
immigrants and students some of whom are non-citizens, whose contributions to
the community are vital to its character and function; and
Whereas, the City of Kalamazoo has an interest in protecting all
people from unlawful racial and ethnic profiling; and
Whereas, the City of Kalamazoo has honored and memorialized all
those of our Armed Forces, citizens and non-citizens alike, who have fought and
sometimes died in battle protecting these cherished and inalienable rights and
liberties;
Whereas, the Charter of the City of Kalamazoo is specific and
requires that the City Manager shall, as the chief administrative officer of the
city, uphold all laws and ordinances, and
Whereas, acts and orders recently enacted at the Federal level,
including sections of the USA PATRIOT Act and Executive and Justice Department
orders have been questioned as threatening the fundamental rights and civil
liberties guaranteed under the Bill of Rights of the U.S. Constitution and
Declaration of Rights of the Michigan State Constitution;
NOW,
THEREFORE, Be it Resolved by the City Commission of the City of Kalamazoo:
That
we affirm our strong support for the rights and liberties guaranteed by our
Federal and State Constitutions, by international law and by City ordinances.
Be
it further resolved that to the extent legally possible, in such a way that does
not conflict with the Charter of the City of Kalamazoo, or the obligations of
Kalamazoo public safety officers to uphold and enforce the law of the land, no
City resources, including city personnel or funds, be used to advance federal
activities in the City of Kalamazoo, where such activities, investigations or
proceedings have been found by a court of competent jurisdiction to violate the
fundamental rights and liberties guaranteed under the Bill of Rights of the U.S.
Constitution and Declaration of Rights of the Michigan State Constitution.
Be
it further resolved that the City of Kalamazoo urges members of the Michigan
Congressional delegation to actively work to amend any sections of the USA
PATRIOT and Homeland Security Acts and any federal legislation, including the
proposed Domestic Security Enhancement Act of 2003 (PATRIOT II), which are found
by a court of competent jurisdiction to violate the fundamental rights and
liberties enumerated and contained in the Constitutions of the United States and
State of Michigan and treaties of the United States, and to restore the checks
and balances inherent in our constitutional tradition.
The
above resolution was offered by ______________________________________ and
seconded by _____________________________________.
AYES:
NAYS:
ABSTAIN:
RESOLUTION DECLARED ADOPTED.
The foregoing is a true and complete copy of a resolution
adopted by the City Commission of the City of Kalamazoo at a regular meeting
held on October 6, 2003. Public
notice was given and the meeting was conducted in full compliance with the
Michigan Open Meetings Act (PA 267, 1976).
Minutes of the meeting will be available as required by the Act.
____________________________
Stephen
M. French, CMC
City
Clerk