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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1. RESOLUTION CONDEMNING THE INSURRECTION ON JAN 6THCity Managers Office https://www.santa-ana.org/cm Item # 1 City of Santa Ana 20 Civic Center Plaza, Santa Ana, CA 92701 Staff Report January 12, 2021 TOPIC: Condemning Insurrection and Violence at the U.S. Capitol AGENDA TITLE: RESOLUTION CONDEMNING THE INSURRECTION AND VIOLENCE THAT OCCURRED AT THE U.S. CAPITOL ON JANUARY 6, 2021 AND CALLING FOR A PEACEFUL TRANSITION OF POWER RECOMMENDED ACTION Adopt a resolution condemning the insurrection and violence that occurred at the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021 and calling for a peaceful transition of power. DISCUSSION On January 6, 2021, the Vice President of the United States, the U.S. House of Representatives, and the U.S. Senate met at the United States Capitol for a joint session of Congress to count the votes of the Electoral College. In the months preceding the joint session, U.S. President Donald Trump asserted that the presidential election results were the product of widespread fraud and should not be accepted by the public or certified by State or Federal officials. Shortly before the joint session commenced, President Trump addressed a crowd in Washington, D.C. There, he reiterated claims that "we won this election." Members of the crowd breached and vandalized the Capitol, injured and killed law enforcement personnel, menaced Members of Congress, the Vice President, and Congressional personnel, and engaged in other violent, deadly, destructive, and seditious acts. President Trump's conduct on January 6, 2021 followed his prior efforts to subvert and obstruct the certification of the results of the 2020 Presidential election. As requested by members of the City Council, attached is a resolution of the Santa Ana City Council condemning the insurrection that occurred at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. on January 6, 2021 and calling for a peaceful transition of power (Exhibit 1). FISCAL IMPACT There is no fiscal impact associated with this action. Resolution Condemning the Insurrection and Violence at the U.S. Capital January 12, 2021 Page 2 EXHIBIT(S) 1. Resolution Approved By: Kristine Ridge, City Manager EXHIBIT 1 RESOLUTION NO. 2021-XXX A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA ANA STRONGLY CONDEMNING THE ACTS OF ARMED VIOLENCE, DOMESTIC TERRORISM, AND INSURRECTION AT THE UNITED STATES CAPITOL ON JANUARY 6, 2021 WHEREAS, on January 6, 2021, a joint session of Congress convened at the United States Capitol to certify the results of the 2020 presidential election declaring Joseph R. Biden, Jr. as the winner; and WHEREAS, that same morning, the sitting President of the United States, Donald J. Trump, addressed his supporters at a nearby rally, calling the outcome of the election "this egregious assault on our democracy" and urging them to march on the Capitol in protest of what he falsely claimed was a stolen election; and WHEREAS, hundreds of armed individuals shortly stormed the Capitol complex, forcibly entering the building, breaking windows and doors, draping a Trump flag over the Capitol balcony, halting for several hours the process of the vote certification, and forcing dozens of members of Congress, journalists and other officials to take cover, flee the building, and don gas masks; and WHEREAS, Americans and their families watched in horror while these shocking events unfolded at the Capitol and many question why law enforcement agencies did not better anticipate and prepare to defend our lawmakers and our institutions; and WHEREAS, shots were fired in the melee, and at least five individuals, including a U.S. Capitol Police Officer, died in the violence; and WHEREAS, these acts were domestic terrorism, where violent extremists with intent to harm life, limb, and property mounted a frightening insurrection and coup against the U.S. Government at one of the world's most iconic emblems of democracy, all as incited by President Trump; and WHEREAS, these violent actors damaged federal property and destroyed multiple federal offices at the Capitol, leaving a threatening note at the House Speaker's office and causing staff members in the building to cower with fear and barricade themselves; and WHEREAS, the United States flag was desecrated and replaced with Trump and confederate flags, and explosive devices were later found surrounding the Capitol and safely detonated; and WHEREAS, several hours after the attempted coup by the domestic terrorists, the Capitol building was cleared and secured, with lawmakers returning to complete their duty to certify the results of the election; and Resolution No. 2021-XXX Page 1 of 3 EXHIBIT 1 WHEREAS, in a video statement later removed from social media, President Trump declared that the election had been "stolen" and told his supporters to "go home," ending with the words "I love you"; and WHEREAS, in a statement on Twitter later removed, the President wrote: "These are the things and events that happen when a sacred landslide election victory is so unceremoniously & viciously stripped away from great patriots who have been badly & unfairly treated for so long" and "Go home with love & in peace. Remember this day forever!"; and WHEREAS, the violence, destruction, and loss of life at the United States Capitol Building was clearly one of the worst and saddest days in the history of American Democracy; and WHEREAS, there has been widespread and bipartisan condemnation of the violence at the Capitol, resulting in loud calls for the President's removal from office. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Santa Ana as follows: Section 1. The City of Santa Ana vehemently condemns the violence and desecration occurring at the United States Capitol on January 6, 2021, and hereby: A. Condemns the individuals that incited the domestic terrorist attack and stands with all our duly elected lawmakers who continue to protect and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies foreign and domestic. B. Declares that the actions of the individuals who violently breached and vandalized the United States Capitol Building are deplorable and that those individuals responsible for such violent acts should be held criminally responsible for their actions. C. Recognizes that violent opportunists used the cover of legitimate protests to sow chaos and destruction and threaten lives at one of the most sacred buildings where elected officials carry out the business of the citizens of the United States of America. D. Urges that Americans continue to exercise their First Amendment rights to legitimately and peacefully protest and do so without injuries to people or property. E. Acknowledges that the reprehensible actions at the United States Capitol were an unacceptable threat to democracy and that such threats and damage to our democratic institutions at any level can never be tolerated. F. Calls for a peaceful transition of power, which is among the hallmarks of American Democracy. Resolution No. 2021-XXX Page 2 of 3 EXHIBIT 1 Section 2. This Resolution shall take effect immediately upon its adoption by the City Council, and the Clerk of the Council shall attest to and certify the vote adopting this Resolution. ADOPTED this day of APPROVED AS TO FORM: Sonia R. Carvalho, City Attorney By: John M. Funk Sr. Assistant City Attorney AYES: NOES: Councilmembers Councilmembers ABSTAI N: Councilmembers NOT PRESENT: Councilmembers 2021. Vicente Sarmiento Mayor CERTIFICATION OF ATTESTATION AND ORIGINALITY I, DAISY GOMEZ, Clerk of the Council, do hereby attest to and certify the attached Resolution No. 2021-XXX to be the original resolution adopted by the City Council of the City of Santa Ana on Date: Clerk of the Council City of Santa Ana Resolution No. 2021-XXX Page 3 of 3