HomeMy WebLinkAboutReso 109-21 In Support of Afghan Refugees and the People of AfghanistanReso. No. 109-21, Item 4.8, Adopted 09/21/2021 Page 1 of 2
RESOLUTION NO. 109 - 21
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF DUBLIN
IN SUPPORT OF AFGHAN REFUGEESAND THE PEOPLE OF AFGHANISTAN
WHEREAS, in February 2020, the Afghan Taliban signed a peace agreement with the
United States (“US”) ahead of a proposed withdrawal of US troops, and in April 2021, President
Biden announced that US military forces would leave Afghanistan by September 11, 2021 after
a 20-year conflict; and
WHEREAS, the Taliban ramped up attacks on Afghan National Defense and Security
Forces bases and outposts, and on August 15, 2021, Taliban fighters entered the capital,
leading Afghan President Ashraf Ghani to flee the country and the Afghan government to
collapse; and
WHEREAS, the ongoing uncertainty and violence in Afghanistan and the takeover of the
Afghan government by the Taliban has created a humanitarian crisis, with rapidly deteriorating
human rights and reductions in safety particularly for vulnerable individuals, including, but not
limited to: women and girls, members of the LGBTQ+ community, those who have direct ties to
the U.S. government and military, members of ethnic minority communities, those who are Shi'a
Muslim, adherents of non-Muslim faiths including those of Sikh and Hindu faiths, and individuals
who work for or have ties to aid organizations; and
WHEREAS, many Afghan citizens, government employees, interpreters, translators, and
Afghan National Defense and Security Forces personnel who supported our service members
while they were serving in Afghanistan now find their lives and their family’s lives in jeopardy
under Taliban rule; and
WHEREAS, refugees and their families face a multitude of challenges when arriving in
the United States and transitioning to a new life, including but not limited to; resettlement,
language barriers, financial hardship, accessing education, finding work and legal status; and
WHEREAS, federal and state leaders in California, specifically in the Bay Area, home to
the largest concentration of Afghans and Afghan Americans in the United States, have the
unique and moral responsibility to welcome Afghan refugees into our communities, while
honoring the commitments of the United States government, assisting in the evacuation of
vulnerable groups, providing support to organizations who will serve the refugee community,
and showing support for the Afghan community during this difficult time.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Dublin urges our
state and federal leaders to act immediately and with determination, and rightfully bring at-risk
and vulnerable Afghan peoples and their families to the United States for safety and prosperity
and to be afforded full benefits to transition into American life; specifically, the City of Dublin
Reso. No. 109-21, Item 4.8, Adopted 09/21/2021 Page 2 of 2
encourages California to accept more, and house more, Afghan refugees than any other US
State.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Dublin supports and
welcomes refugees from Afghanistan into our community and calls upon our residents,
community leaders, businesses, faith-based organizations, and community-based organizations
to welcome and support these Afghan families to achieve their inherent right to life, liberty, and
the pursuit of happiness.
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 21st day of September 2021, by the following
vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Hu, Josey, Kumagai, McCorriston and Mayor Hernandez
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
___________________________
Mayor
ATTEST:
___________________________
City Clerk