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Resolution Condemning Antisemitism
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Whereas, Documented incidents of antisemitism and extremist violence in the United States have increased over the past several years;
Whereas, The Anti-Defamation League’s (ADL) most recent Audit of Antisemitic Incidents in the United States recorded more than 2,100 acts of assault, vandalism and harassment, an increase of 12 percent over the previous year and the highest level of antisemitic incidents since ADL’s tracking began in 1979;
Whereas, The latest FBI hate crime data reports that 58% of religious hate crime is targeted at the Jewish community, which makes up just 2% of the population of the United States;
Whereas, The ADL in Michigan reported a 21% increase in antisemitic acts in the State of Michigan in 2020;
Whereas, Numerous incidents of antisemitic graffiti and vandalism have included defacing the Star of David, a symbol of the Jewish People; using Nazi slogans and the Nazi swastika on or near sites where Jews worship, gather, or work; and slogans accusing Jews or Zionists of controlling the U.S. government;
Whereas, Jewish legislators and officials in Michigan and throughout the United States have received threatening antisemitic mail and email;
Whereas, Jews have been increasingly targeted for violence in cities across the United States;
Whereas, According to Hillel International, antisemitic incidents on college and university campuses increased by 30% this past year, at a time when many students were not even on campus;
Whereas, The growing problem of antisemitism in the United States was highlighted by a number of antisemitic slogans exhibited by the insurrectionists who stormed the US Capitol on January 6, 2021; and
Whereas, A small group has picketed the Beth Israel Congregation, an Ann Arbor synagogue, every Saturday for 18 years, erecting antisemitic signs along the Washtenaw Avenue right-of-way including those that allege conspiracy and tarnish the Star of David, creating an atmosphere of hate;
RESOLVED, That the Ann Arbor City Council condemns all forms of antisemitism, and in particular the weekly antisemitic rally on Washtenaw Avenue; calls upon the persons who rally to express antisemitism on Washtenaw Avenue to renounce extremism, disband, and cease their weekly show of aggressive bigotry; and declares its support for the Beth Israel Congregation, their guests, and all members of the Jewish Community in Ann Arbor, each of whom has the right to worship, gather, and celebrate free from intimidation, harassment, and fear of violence.
Sponsored by: Mayor Taylor and Councilmembers Grand, Song, Radina, Eyer, Griswold, and Briggs