Lisa Gardner, City Council Communications Director
Monday, January 22, 2024 at 10:21 p.m.
Spokane—During Monday night’s Legislative Session, the City Council voted 5-1 passing a resolution expressing its desire to be an inclusive, respectful, and just city that stands up against hate, antisemitism, and Islamophobia.
“We’ve heard the community outcry, met with leaders of local activist groups, and understand the frustration and contention from those who support the Muslim community,” said Council President Betsy Wilkerson. This resolution affirms the Jewish and Muslim communities and reinforces the Council’s stance that in Spokane we all belong.”
During the October 9, 2023, Legislative Session, the Council unanimously passed a resolution condemning the war crimes perpetrated by Hamas and its allies. Following that vote and subsequent weeks, community members supporting the Palestinians protested the resolution and called on the Council to retract the resolution.
The resolution proclaims that the Council will continue their education and understanding of diverse cultural communities and calls on City Administration, businesses, educational institutions, and other institutions to also proactively educate and act against all antisemitism and Islamophobia in Spokane.
Spokane City Council encourages people to report incidents of hate to Human Rights Spokane (formerly the Spokane County Human Rights Task Force) at
https://www.humanrightsspokane.org/
