Recently, the Gainesville city commission voted for a resolution condemning genocide and other crimes against humanity. This is an important step forward for the fight against these heinous crimes and offers hope that similar actions can be taken around the country.
The Gainesville Anti-Genocide Resolution
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA:
Section 1. That this Commission condemns and denounces genocide, crimes against humanity, and other mass atrocities. Further, that this Commission condemns and denounces corporations and/or other organizations and associations complicit in genocide, crimes against humanity, and other mass atrocities. Finally, this Commission condemns and denounces all corporations and/or other organizations and associations that provide support or otherwise do business with governments engaged in genocide, crimes against humanity, and other mass atrocities.
Section 2. That this Commission affirms its, and every Gainesville residents’, moral obligation and duty to educate people about the atrocities of genocide, crimes against humanity, and other mass atrocities.
Section 3. That this Commission commits to educating citizens about genocide, crimes against humanity, and other mass atrocities. In this regard, the Commission recognizes the work
in this area of the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum, Genocide Watch, Global Centre for the
Responsibility to Protect, and No Business With Genocide.
Section 4. That this Commission commits the policy and practices of responsible procurement and ethical investment of Gainesville taxpayers monies in the marketplaces for goods, services, and capital in accordance with our values and to employ our economic power in the marketplace as part of a global constituency against genocide, crimes against humanity, and other mass atrocities.
Section 5. That this Commission supports and promotes that all persons, regardless of where they were born, have basic human rights and fundamental freedoms and that it is all governments’ and citizens’ moral obligation to recognize and respect these rights and freedoms.
Section 6. That this Commission, along with the citizens of Gainesville, Florida, rededicate themselves to the prevention of mass atrocities such as genocide and crimes against humanity and to the basic principles of justice, fairness, and empathy that all persons are entitled to.
It is easy to think about genocide and other crimes against humanity as horrors from a different time and place but they are not. Genocide Watch keeps an eye on genocides around the world and it is entirely too common. The good news is these crimes do not happen in a vacuum. By paying attention and acting when it is needed, we can end genocide.
If you want more information about how to get your town or city to pass such a resolution, please contact us.