Mayor Suzette Cooke and Council President Bill Boyce will issue the proclamation at tonight’s City Council Meeting.
The recent executive orders by President Trump, particularly those related to immigrants and refugees, have been a source of concern and fear for many in the Kent community.
In response, Kent Mayor Suzette Cooke and Council President Bill Boyce will issue the following proclamation at tonight’s 7 p.m. council meeting:
Whereas, In 1890, six months after the State of Washington was founded, Kent, with a population of 793, was the second city to incorporate in King County, and was named after Kent County, England; and
Whereas, Since Kent’s founding 126 years ago, we have welcomed residents from all walks of life and from all around the world, people who have built this city into the sixth largest city in the state with over 125,000 residents speaking 138 languages; and
Whereas, Kent has adopted the brand, “Bringing the World Home,” and promotes policies and programs to foster inclusion for all, regardless of their race, creed, color, national origin, religion, immigration status, age, mental or physical ability, sex, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, marital status, parental status, or socio-economic status; and
Whereas, This City’s prosperity as the fourth largest distribution center in the United States is built on commerce with international ties; and Kent’s aerospace and manufacturing strength is led by scientists, engineers and trades people whose vision embraces not only connecting the world, but connecting people through outer space; and
Whereas, The Kent City Council adopted a vision for Kent as a safe, connected and beautiful city, culturally vibrant with richly diverse urban centers; and is dedicated to building a thriving, sustainable and inclusive community through innovative leadership, inspired teamwork and unwavering devotion to responsibly advancing our quality of life; and
Whereas, All residents, employees and visitors in Kent deserve a safe environment, free from hate, discrimination and harassment; however, if anyone feels personally threatened or unsafe, they should call 911 for immediate assistance; and anyone who witnesses someone being harassed or bullied, or a hate crime being committed, is also asked to call 911; and
Whereas, The safety of all of Kent’s residents is our city’s top priority; a person’s right to file a police report, participate in police-community activities, or otherwise benefit from police services is not contingent upon citizenship or immigration status; and no person should be afraid to call 911 for fear their residency will be questioned, because Kent’s police and public employees do not ask a person’s immigration status unless they’ve committed a crime that results in them being arrested and booked in jail, in which case officers follow procedures from the 1969 Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties.
Now, therefore, I, Suzette Cooke, Mayor of Kent, Washington, do hereby re-affirm Kent is a Welcoming City
And encourage all residents, businesses, civic groups and others to express their support for our richly diverse community.
Dated this 21st day of February, 2017.
[Click here to download the signed proclamation.]
Contributed by the City of Kent
