HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-045-05/05/2009-REAFFIRMING THE COUNCILS COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY AND ENCOURAGING THE FREE EXCHANGE OF IDEAS AND OPIN RESOLUTION 2009-045
OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS
REAFFIRMING THE COUNCIL'S COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY
AND ENCOURAGING THE FREE EXCHANGE OF IDEAS AND OPINIONS
WITHOUT THREAT OR INTIMIDATION
WHEREAS, the City Council strongly supports the constitutional right of all persons to
express their views on issues of interest and concern to them; and
WHEREAS,as evidenced by the City Council's establishment ofthe City's Human Relations
Commission in 1986 and its adoption of the City of Fort Collins Diversity Plan in 1999, the City
Council is also committed to fostering and promoting a welcoming and inclusive community that
supports diversity; and
WHEREAS, one of the hallmarks of such a community is the ability and willingness of its
members to discuss controversial and potentially divisive issues without causing any of the
participants in such discussions to feel intimidated or to fear for their personal safety; and
WHEREAS, the City is not immune from the actions of persons who seek to threaten or
intimidate those of opposing views; and
WHEREAS, the state legislature has enacted laws to protect minority members of the
community from bias-motivated words or conduct that place them in fear of imminent lawless action
directed toward them or their property; and
WHEREAS,the City Council believes it to be in the best interests of the community to state
its position with regard to such matters.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
FORT COLLINS as follows:
Section 1. That the City Council hereby reaffirms its commitment to protecting and
honoring diversity within the Fort Collins community.
Section 2. That the City Council recognizes and fully supports the right of all persons
to engage in constitutionally protected speech, even when the content of such speech is unpopular,
distasteful or offensive to others.
Section 3. That the City Council hereby encourages those engaged in the discussion of
controversial topics within the community,and in the dissemination of literature with regard to those
topics, to conduct their discussions and to craft and distribute their written materials in ways that
respect the basic human dignity of all persons without threatening or intimidating those who hold
opposing views or causing them to fear for their personal safety.
Passed and adopted at a regular meeting o4Co of the City of Fort C s t is 5th
day of May, A.D. 2009.
'ATTEST:
City-Clerk--