WHEREAS, on May 25, 2020, George Floyd, an African American man, died at the hands of four Minneapolis, Minnesota, police officers; and
 

WHEREAS, according to reports and clear video circulated nationwide, one of these officers knelt on Mr. Floyd's neck for well over five minutes while Mr. Floyd was handcuffed and lying face down on the street; and

WHEREAS, the audio clearly reports Mr. Floyd was begging to breathe while one police officer continued to kneel on Mr. Floyd's neck while the other police officers appeared to either assist or look on; and

WHEREAS, this apparently unprovoked and intentional act reflects and represents a total and blatant disregard for the dignity of one's life and the sanctity of human life itself; and
 

WHEREAS, the actions and inactions of the Minneapolis, Minnesota police officers toward Mr. Floyd do not represent the thousands and thousands of men and women that serve and protect their respective communities and put their lives on the line each day with professionalism and integrity; and the Irvine Police Department operates under a set of values that prioritizes the community, public safety, and policing efforts; and

 

WHEREAS, this utterly intolerable act and others recently occurring in our nation in recent years are truly unpardonable and must serve as a "call-to-action" to every American, of every race, color, and creed, that recognizes life as both a gift from our Creator and a basic human right; and this City Council does not and will not tolerate the anguish, suffering, and pain caused by injustice, racism, and hate; and

WHEREAS, we stand with the African American members of our community, with all people of color in our community, and with all those who have been marginalized and disenfranchised, we stand with the entire Irvine community to peacefully protest, which serves as a critical tool for public awareness.

NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that, the City of Irvine City Council recognizes that we all come from a common thread from our Creator as a single human race and call on America to recognize the value of each human life; and be it further

RESOLVED, that the City of Irvine City Council, the City Manager, the Irvine Police Department and City employees join with our nation in grief, disbelief, sorrow, shame, frustration, and anger over the complete senselessness of this act; and be it further RESOLVED, that the City of Irvine City Council assures our community that our City will not and does not tolerate, nor will accept in any way whatsoever, the violent treatment of others and the disregard of the sanctity of human life; and be it further

RESOLVED, that the City of Irvine City Council calls upon every resident in our community to join with us to reflect upon ourselves as public servants, as citizens, and as human beings, and strongly urges its residents to combat violence and to support understanding and tolerance; and be it further

RESOLVED, that this Resolution shall be (1) posted in public places and at all City of Irvine facilities for public view, (2) released publicly as the official statement of the City  of Irvine, and (3) sent to every house of worship located within the City of Irvine. 

PASSED AND ADOPTED by the City Council of the City of Irvine at a regular meeting held on the 9th day of June, 2020.

View the Resolution 20-47