Report to Mayor and City Council
Tuesday, October 18, 2022
Consent
SUBJECT:
Title
CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTION NO. 22-214 URGING THE LEGISLATURE TO SUPPORT THE GENDER EQUALITY MOVEMENT BY THE BRAVE WOMEN AND MEN OF IRAN (CITY COUNCIL)
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I. SUMMARY
This item transmits a recommendation for City Council to adopt Resolution 22-214 urging the State of California Senate and Assembly to take a formal position on this issue and adopt a resolution or a proclamation urging the United States federal government to consider and adopt meaningful measures to support the People of Iran and the important gender equality movement in the Middle East.
By adopting this Resolution, the City of Carson would join various local agencies including City of Beverly Hills, City of Los Angeles, and City of San Francisco, all of which have either formally denounced Amini’s death or have supported the gender equality movement by the People of Iran.
II. RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
TAKE the following action:
1. WAIVE further reading and ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 22-214 URGING THE LEGISLATURE TO SUPPORT THE GENDER EQUALITY MOVEMENT BY THE BRAVE WOMEN AND MEN OF IRAN; and
2. DIRECT staff to provide a copy of the Resolution to the State of California Legislature including the Honorable Congresswoman Nanette Diaz Barragan.
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III. ALTERNATIVES
TAKE another action the City Council deems appropriate and that is consistent with the requirements of the law.
IV. BACKGROUND
On September 16th, 2022, 22-year-old Mahsa Amini died while in custody of Islamic Republic of Iran’s “morality-police,” for not wearing her compulsory hijab, in accordance with the regime's stringent standards. Following Mahsa Amini’s death, protests erupted in Iran nationwide and in more than 30 countries worldwide.
In response to the protests, in fewer than 30 days, the government of Iran has killed over 185 people (approximately 21 of whom have been under 18): a specific case being Nika Shakarami, a 16-year-old protestor, whose mother alleges that security forces beat to death.
In fewer than 30 days, thousands have been arrested/taken into custody while protesting - some are getting arrested simply for publicizing the events in Iran. To date, at least 20 human rights activists have been taken into custody. The daily the number of deaths and people taken into custody are escalating exponentially and the Iranian regime continues to demonstrate blatant disregard for human rights and human life.
Gender equality is a global issue: 70% of all people living in poverty are women, only 22% of world’s political leaders are women, 1 out of 3 women experience sexual or physical abuse, 750 million women and girls were married before the age of 18 and at least 200 million in 30 countries have undergone female genital mutilation.
V. FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact associated with this item.
VI. EXHIBITS
Resolution 22-214 (pgs. 3 - 6)
Prepared by: City Attorney and City Manager's Office