n-city-council-resolution.html

October 4, 2007

Upon the recommendation of Mayor
Mary Clare Higgins

WHEREAS, the Northampton City Council on September 21, 2000
voted unanimously to endorse a mayoral proclamation’s intent that the
City, through its Human Rights Commission, become an active
participant in the `No Place For Hate’ Campaign; and

WHEREAS, the Northampton Human Rights Commission joined in
good faith with the sponsors of the `No Place For Hate’ Campaign: the
Anti-Defamation League® (ADL) and the Massachusetts Municipal
Association, in order to take specific actions to combat bias and
promote respect for people; and

WHEREAS, the Northampton Human Rights Commission has
investigated the situation whereby the Anti Defamation League®
continues to deny the facts of the horrific Armenian Genocide. From
1915 to 1923 the premeditated, systematic and deliberate murders of
more that one and one half million Armenians occurred; and

WHEREAS, the Armenian people continue to be deprived of the
right to their history through the denial that this genocide ever took
place; and

WHEREAS, The City of Northampton must not continue its
affiliation with such an organization as ADL that promotes such a
grievous denial.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED

That the City of Northampton hereby rescinds its partnership in the
"No Place for Hate" Campaign co-sponsored by the Anti Defamation
League®; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that although it withdraws from the
aforementioned program, the City of Northampton hereby proclaims that
it shall continue to celebrate its citizens’ diversity and shall
continue to honor its tradition of tolerance and respect for all
people for which it has always been known.