In honor of the Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month in the month of May, the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors will be presenting a Gold Resolution to members of our organization, AAPI Coalition of North Bay.
Below is the draft we submitted to the Board of Supervisors:
(DRAFT)
Gold Resolution Recognizing and Supporting the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Community in Sonoma County
WHEREAS, AAPI residents have long enriched and continue to contribute to Sonoma County’s vitality, economic prosperity, cultural richness, and social fabric, driven by values of family, community, and the belief in the American Dream; and
WHEREAS, AAPI organizing and advocacy efforts are actively growing and expanding, strengthening civic engagement and community leadership within Sonoma County (such as mitigating marginalization of our youth and recognizing the effects of climate change on the most vulnerable) and the diverse AAPI community welcomes opportunities to share stories and culture which promote pride, understanding, visibility and representation; and
WHEREAS, despite these contributions, the AAPI community continues to face systemic barriers to accessing government resources, support, and representation, as well as ongoing experiences of discrimination and language barriers that hinder full civic participation and economic mobility, and our nation’s current climate has heightened fears and vulnerabilities among AAPI residents, leading many to retreat into isolated communities for perceived safety, reinforcing the need for greater outreach, inclusion, and proactive engagement; and
WHEREAS, the 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War (April 30, 1975) marks a significant moment to acknowledge the forced displacement and trauma experienced by Southeast Asian refugees, including the Vietnamese, Cambodian, Laotian, and Hmong communities in Sonoma County, whose ongoing struggles remain largely unacknowledged; and
WHEREAS, safeguarding the human rights and dignity of all residents, specifically AAPI individuals, against discrimination and hate acts, is a fundamental responsibility of local government; and
WHEREAS, the County must continue to implement meaningful strategies to engage the AAPI community, including hiring AAPI staff, consulting with AAPI experts, conducting community needs assessments, and providing comprehensive translation and interpretation services; as well as ensuring that AAPI voices are actively included in policy discussions, decision-making processes, and initiatives that impact their lives,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors formally recognizes and honors the contributions of the AAPI community, commits to actionable steps to enhance engagement and inclusion, and pledges to uphold policies and initiatives that safeguard, support, and uplift AAPI residents, businesses, and organizations throughout the County.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the County will actively seek opportunities to collaborate with AAPI communities, including encouraging our elected officials in our County to attend and actively listen and engage at AAPI events, ensure government accessibility through multilingual resources, and embed equity-driven practices in all county policies and programs, recognizing that acknowledgment without action is insufficient.
