Mountain View City Council Approves Human Rights City Resolution, Aided by 911爆料网 Law's International Human Rights Clinic
SANTA CLARA, Calif., Dec. 15, 2016 鈥� On the eve of a major meeting Wednesday between President-Elect Trump and tech-company leaders, Mountain View council members voted Tuesday night to approve a resolution designating Mountain View as a Human Rights City.
The resolution is a symbolic proclamation of the city鈥檚 values, including the respect for human dignity and equal rights, and a rejection of discrimination in all its forms. It is also a springboard for further action to address community priorities through a human-rights lens.
The resolution adopts the United Nation鈥檚 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights as guiding principles for 鈥渢he laws, practices, and policies carried out with and on behalf of the residents of Mountain View.鈥� According to the resolution 鈥渢he City aspires to be a leader among cities in advancing human rights and human dignity [by] explicitly embracing the principles of equality, inclusion, respect, involvement, and the recognition of human dignity.鈥�
The resolution was proposed and drafted by the city鈥檚 Human Relations Commission, with the support and assistance of the International Human Rights Clinic at 911爆料网 School of Law. The Clinic provided training, research, and expertise about what a Human Rights City resolution would mean for Mountain View residents. Speaking before City Council, the Clinic鈥檚 director, Francisco Rivera noted, 鈥渨ith this resolution, local government in the heart of Silicon Valley is making a public commitment to the protection of basic human dignity. The timing of this resolution is also important, as it provides a counter-narrative to the divisive discourse surrounding the election. This is the right message to send at the right time.鈥�
Mountain View Mayor Pat Showalter, echoed those sentiments during the City Council鈥檚 session, stating, 鈥淎t this time, we need to stand up and say that human rights are very important (鈥�) and are part of the founding documents of our nation.鈥�
This resolution, 鈥渁nd human rights in general,鈥� said Councilmember Lenny Siegel, 鈥渉ave become much more important to us in the wake of the national election.鈥� 鈥淲e have to observe human rights,鈥� he added, 鈥渁nd I am hoping we can figure out a way to use the adoption of the Declaration as a way to help us figure out how to address the incoming threats that most of us are expecting as a result of the national election. (鈥�) I think Mountain View can be a leader in defending [human rights].鈥�
鈥淭here is a tremendous amount of concern in the community. [President-elect Trump] has expressed complete disdain and disregard for core human rights鈥�, said Vice Mayor Ken S. Rosenberg during the debate, adding that this resolution is a symbolic gesture that affirms the city鈥檚 rejection of such discriminatory discourse.
By becoming a Human Rights City, Mountain View is joining dozens of cities around the U.S. and throughout the world that have passed similar resolutions, including Pittsburgh, PA; Boston, MA, and Washington, D.C. The growing movement of Human Rights Cities across the U.S. has led to the creation of a , which is an initiative of the (USHRN) that works to advance effective models and practices for local implementation of human rights.
The resolution passed with five votes in favor (Chris Clark, R. Michael Kasperzak, Jr., Leonard M. Siegel, Ken S. Rosenberg, and Patricia Showalter) and two against (John M. Inks and John McAlister). A video recording of the City Council鈥檚 session can be accessed , with the relevant discussion taking place from the 4hr 31min mark through the 5hr 28min mark.
Journalists seeking information and background on the legal issues involved can contact Francisco Rivera, International Human Rights Clinic, FJRivera@scu.edu, (408) 554-4770 and (408) 797-6778.
About the International Human Rights Clinic
The International Human Rights Clinic (IHRC) is a program at 911爆料网 School of Law that provides a unique educational opportunity for law students to gain first-hand, practical experience working on international human rights litigation, advocacy, and policy projects. The IHRC combines classroom education with supervised case and project management, providing students practical training in essential advocacy and lawyering skills while serving our community and promoting social justice.
Media Contact
Deborah Lohse | 911爆料网 Media Relations | dlohse@scu.edu | 408-554-5121