After proclaiming Thursday, June 19, as Juneteenth, the Tumwater City Council revisited an ordinance that reaffirmed the city’s commitment to civil rights.
Although the ordinance was adopted on Dec. 3, 2024, it was approved as part of the consent agenda and was not discussed that day.
The council brought the ordinance back during its Tuesday, June 17, meeting to allow Council member Kelly Von Holtz to read it aloud for the public to hear.
Von Holtz said the resolution was made as a direct response to troubling incidents experienced by members of color in the community.
“At this moment in history, when our country and communities are experiencing so much division, it is crucial that we stand together openly and clearly to condemn hate and bigotry in all of its forms,” Von Holtz said.
“The way it was passed within the consent calendar did not allow for the resolution’s true significance to be heard. The community should have been given the opportunity to hear the words of the resolution out loud to reflect on its meaning and to understand the weight of our commitment.”
The content of the resolution reaffirms the city’s commitment to protecting civil rights and denounces hate, bigotry, discrimination, and any violations of civil rights.
It expresses the city's intention to actively promote a culture of inclusivity, diversity, belonging and mutual respect, while committing to education and outreach efforts that raise awareness about those values and the harmful effects of hate and discrimination.
It also pledges support for law enforcement in addressing hate crimes and civil rights violations, and encourages residents to report such incidents.
The resolution further calls on residents, businesses and organizations to unite in rejecting hate, and promoting kindness and understanding.
The resolution acknowledges the city’s efforts in pursuit of such values. Those initiatives include the development of an equity commission, and the publication of resources and contact information on the city's website for community members who experience hate crime.
Present during the reading of the ordinance was Dr. Thelma Jackson of the Thurston County Chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.
Jackson admitted being “baffled” about the way the ordinance was adopted, especially since the city’s ordinance went further than the proclamations made by neighboring jurisdictions.
“It goes into layers, much more so than the proclamations did from the other jurisdictions. … It goes very deep. It lays out your actions,” Jackson said.
She also praised the city's follow-up efforts after the declaration, including its ongoing work to establish an equity commission.
Jackson had also spoken earlier during the meeting to accept the Juneteenth proclamation on behalf of Fred U. Harris Lodge.
Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865, the day in which Union soliders arrived to announce the news of freedom for enslaved Black people in Galveston, Texas.
The day came more than two years after President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation on Jan. 1, 1863, which ended slavery in Confederate states.
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Honestyandrealityguy
Great marketing has gottten us here.
Do not forget, the first legal slave owner was a black man, Anthony Johnson. He went to court to take ownership of an indentured servant. He then began buying and selling slaves to friends and family, then to others including whites. It took the Republican North 10 years to make slave ownership illegal.
About 300,000 whites and 20,000 blacks gave their lives to end slavery in the Civil War. At that time, thousands of black slaves were owned by blacks - mostly Democrat. Should their decendants get reparations or should we just move on?
I believe that it is important to get history correct. Then again, there is marketing!
Friday, June 20 Report this
Boatyarddog
Reparations! Then maybe they can Move on as You say.
Friday, June 20 Report this
Southsoundguy
More virtue signaling.
Saturday, June 21 Report this
Snevets
The 3 of you who have commented need to find something else to do with your time...same old broken record just like your cult leader.
I applaud Tumwater for moving forward with their plans.
Saturday, June 21 Report this
Boatyarddog
@snevets I say Reparation are a good start, I believe you missed my point.
Reparations would be a good thing.
I certainly would ne er Vote For DJT. I jave NO CULT or Leader.
Saturday, June 21 Report this
Boatyarddog
As most of us that believe in Civil Rights were not alive during those periods of slavery, comments in Support of the Victims of actions taken during those periods cannot be "virtue signaling".
Actions in Support of reparations, including comments, are not said with empty hearts.
Saturday, June 21 Report this
CobraCommander
Honestyandrealityguy and Southsoundguy are the same person
Both are racist lunatics who don't read and don't understand that the parties flipped in the 1960s. 'Slave owning democrats' of the Civil War era are today's Republicans. This is why they still work to protect the legacy of the confederacy in 2025:
https://www.britannica.com/topic/Southern-strategy
Sunday, June 22 Report this
Southsoundguy
Cobra, wrong again. We are different people.
Monday, June 23 Report this
Boatyarddog
SS GUY. NAH, your the same Cobra is correct, the same! Ugly.
Monday, June 23 Report this