A resolution that says racism exists in all cities, including Saratoga Springs, and that to eradicate it requires more than words, passed the Saratoga Springs City Council last night unanimously.
Drafted by the city’s Community Outreach Committee, and introduced to the council by Commissioner of Public Safety Robin Dalton, the resolution calls for the city “to promote racial equity and fairness,” to give “everyone the opportunity to contribute, participate, grow and succeed,” and “to do what is right and just for all people.”
Dalton said this is a strong resolution that needs to be supported by council action in the future.
“I also think that reaffirming who we are as a community, who we believe we are as a city, is always a good thing to do, and this really does that,” she added.
Five people spoke during public comment on the issue. No one spoke against it.
“It’s a simple act, and it can make a huge difference to our community, especially making sure our community is a welcoming community to all people,” Lindley Hickox told the board, echoing statements of others who spoke.
A few of the speakers reiterated the importance of putting the text into action.
Shaun Wiggins, a city resident and chair of the outreach committee, said the resolution is a good start and that the needed action can be simple.
“I would love to see there be more action at the City Council level,” he wrote in a series of texts, adding that the committee has some ideas already.
Proclaiming a Day of Racial Equity and Fairness in Saratoga Springs, increasing diversity across city departments, and even an event--such as a Chowder Fest--to bring the topic of racism and bias to visitors of the city, to show the city as welcoming, are all easy enough to do and are “concrete actions that demonstrate the Council’s commitment,” Wiggins wrote.
The outreach committee was formed last year, in part as a response to Black Lives Matter protests in Saratoga Springs. The committee works to address bias and racism through discussion and interaction in Saratoga Springs. The full resolution can be found here.