At its June 20, 2018 regular meeting, Lebanon City Council adopted a Resolution for Inclusiveness to express its desire to preserve public trust and promote community identity, civic pride, and quality of life for all Lebanon residents. The text of the resolution reads as follows:
RESOLUTION FOR INCLUSIVENESS
WHEREAS, the City Council of Lebanon wishes to act in accord with the City’s Master Plan, Principles for Sustainability and Guiding Principles in preserving the public trust and promoting community identity, civic pride, and quality of life for all residents, regardless of race, skin color, national or ethnic origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, mental or physical disability, religious or political opinion or activity, immigration status, or housing status; and
WHEREAS, the City Council of Lebanon wishes to take a leading role in protecting civil liberties, promoting tolerance, and providing equal protection under the law to all persons in the City; and
WHEREAS, the City Council of Lebanon recognizes that a diverse population supports a resilient economy and fosters a high quality of life for its residents and visitors, in accordance with the City’s Sustainability Principles; and
WHEREAS, the City Council of Lebanon recognizes that while free speech is protected under the First Amendment; we can speak out against and discourage hate speech as contrary to our values; and
WHEREAS, the City Council of Lebanon has demonstrated its commitment to protecting its citizens, residents and visitors against discrimination on the basis of race, skin color, national or ethnic origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, mental or physical disability, immigration status, religious or political opinion or activity, or housing status; and
WHEREAS, the City Council wishes to take a stand against ideologies of violence, hatred and intolerance.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT, the City Council of Lebanon denounces and rejects ALL ideologies based on hatred and intolerance, including racism, xenophobia, and homophobia, and condemns activities that promote these ideologies; and the City Council of Lebanon affirms its strong support for the fundamental constitutional rights, human dignity and civil liberties of every person, regardless of race, skin color, national or ethnic origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, mental or physical disability, immigration status, religious or political opinion or activity, or housing status; and the City Council of Lebanon celebrates and embraces its diverse community and is committed to fostering a community of tolerance, respect and inclusion.
Proclaimed this Twentieth Day of June in the Year Two Thousand Eighteen.