HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOUNCIL - PROCLAMATION - 01/18/2022 - PROCLAMATION RECOGNIZING JANUARY 17, 2022 AS DR. M
PROCLAMATION
WHEREAS, in the 1950s and 1960s, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. led our nation in a non -violent
quest for civil rights to address what he considered the triple evils of American society: racism, war and
poverty. He believed that even under the worst conditions, there is reason to hope.
WHEREAS, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. led communities of color and their allies in the United
States in a widespread movement to address ongoing segregation, violent hate crimes, and discrimination in
housing, employment, and education.
WHEREAS, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. continued to move forward even after he lost the support of
clergy, colleagues, and others when he openly took a stance against the war in Vietnam; and he continued his
work even as the FBI actively sought to discredit him and the movement he served.
WHEREAS, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. worked for human rights and economic justice for all
underserved communities, while recognizing the inequities suffered by Black Americans due to the legacy of
chattel slavery in the United States. Dr. King’s work emphasized that restructuring American society to
ensure greater equality meant changing the laws and practices that had created these same inequities.
WHEREAS, Dr. King’s life ended tragically with his assassination on April 4, 1968, but his work
remains highly relevant as we continue to meet the same challenges today in the 21st century. We
acknowledge significant suffering in the progress for peace and justice for all, and t hat more than 50 years
later, institutional and systemic racism still affects Black and African American communities as well as other
communities of color throughout the nation.
WHEREAS, this year’s Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day theme, developed in collaborative
partnership with our partners in the community, is “The March is Far from Over.” This theme reflects that
current and future generations have an urgent, moral obligation to continue Dr. King’s work, as the voting
rights protections that he and other civil rights leaders worked so hard to secure are under significant threat
across the nation. The City of Fort Collins will stand in solidarity for justice, human rights, and the protection
of voting rights for all as we continue to build a more welcoming city.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Jeni Arndt, Mayor of the City of Fort Collins, do hereby proclaim January
17, 2022 as
DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. OBSERVATION AND
COMMEMORATION DAY
in the city of Fort Collins and encourage the members of this community to continue in striving to actualize
Dr. King’s dream by honoring individuals based upon the content of their character.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of the City of Fort Collins this
18th day of January, A.D. 2022.
_________________________________
Mayor
ATTEST:
_________________________________
City Clerk