Text of the Proposed Resolution to Defend Constitutional Rights

RESOLUTION FOR THE CITY OF OLYMPIA (LACEY, TUMWATER, YELM, THURSTON COUNTY) CITY COUNCIL TO SEND REQUEST TO WASHINGTON’S FEDERAL AND STATE ELECTED OFFICIALS TO DEFEND THE CONSTITUTION AND CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS OF RESIDENTS

The following Resolution was duly presented for consideration by the City Council:

WHEREAS, as lawmakers sworn to uphold and protect the Constitution of the United States of America, we are increasingly alarmed by actions we are seeing that violate fundamental Constitutionally protected rights; and

WHEREAS, the First and Fifth Amendments to the Constitution of the United States affirm foundational principles that unite all Americans, guaranteeing the freedoms of religion, speech, the press, assembly, and petition while ensuring that no person is deprived of life, liberty, or property without due process of law; and these rights serve not only as a cornerstone of individual liberty but also as a guiding framework for justice and equality that transcends partisan divides; and

WHEREAS, the Bill of Rights serves as a foundational contract to safeguard the freedoms and liberties of all people, yet throughout history, significant groups of individuals have been systematically excluded from fully enjoying these protections, underscoring the ongoing responsibility to uphold and defend Constitutional principles for every American; and

WHEREAS, the principles of due process and the independence of the judiciary are essential to safeguarding the Constitutionally protected rights of all individuals, ensuring that every person is afforded the opportunity to present evidence in their defense and to seek judicial review, as foundational protections enshrined in the rule of law; and recognizing that any actions undermining these principles – such as unilateral revocations of visas, deportations without due process, or the deployment of military forces for domestic law enforcement purposes – threaten the balance of powers, erode public trust, and challenge the commitment to justice and equity central to our nation’s democratic ideals; and

WHEREAS, national politicians have worked to vilify individuals because of their national origin in order to justify the deportation of millions of immigrants and deny asylum for refugees fleeing war, terrorism, and other humanitarian crises; and

WHEREAS, German Lutheran pastor Martin Niemöller during WWII eloquently expressed the necessity to speak out against attacks on a country’s civil liberties:

Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out – Because I was not a trade unionist.

Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out – Because I was not a Jew.

Then they came for me – and there was no one left to speak for me.

NOW, THEREFORE, THE ___________ CITY COUNCIL DOES HEREBY RESOLVE as follows:

1. The City of __________/Thurston County cannot stand silent as members of our constituencies are threatened by the actions of federal officials described above.

2. The City of __________/Thurston County, sworn to uphold and defend the U.S. Constitution, we must take action to ensure that residents are not afraid to speak out on issues they find important in our democracy.

3. The City of __________/Thurston County recognizes that our ability to create and maintain a safe and stable community is undermined when our residents live in fear. Being that these are tumultuous times, it is our charge and responsibility to represent our constituents, uphold our oath to the Constitution, and preserve the core tenets of democracy.

4. The City of __________/Thurston County acknowledges that adherence to the Rule of Law is a foundational principle of American freedom helping to preserve the liberty of all people therein, and commits to advocating for any and all appropriate legal actions to ensure that all members of state and federal government follow the Constitution and the Rule of Law.

5. The City of __________/Thurston County will forward this resolution to Senator Murray, Senator Cantwell, Representative Strickland, Governor Ferguson, Attorney General Brown, State Senators Bateman, McCune, Braun, and MacEwan, and State Representatives Doglio, Parshley, Barkis, Marshall, Abbarno, Orcutt, Griffey, and Couture.