Shorewood Safety Committee Considers Resolution For Justice And Dignity, Which Provides Equal Protection For Noncitizens

If the proposed resolution is passed by the Village of Shorewood Board, it would provide equal protection, respect and dignity for noncitizens including everyone residing or visiting the village and would be the first of its kind that has been proposed by local residents.

By H. Nelson Goodson

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

June 6, 2017

Shorewood, Wisconsin - On Monday, the Shorewood Safety Committee (SSC) discussed and considered the introduction of a Resolution for Justice and Dignity (RJD) sponsored by the Shorewood Solidarity Network, which included the support by members from Acción Ciudadana de Wisconsin, Shorewood residents and allies. The SSC hearing was full to capacity. The non-binding resolution will assure that all members of the community including noncitizens would be treated with respect and dignity, it would also prevent elected and non-elected officials from working or volunteering to "facilitate the work of, Immigration and Customs Enforcement or Customs and Border Patrol."

Kristin Sziarto and Attorney Carlos R. Pastrana addressed the SSC members and discussed the merits of the proposed resolution, which had been submitted previously to the committee for discussion. The SSC members decided to schedule another hearing after some wording would be revised before the resolution would come before the full Shorewood Board. The SSC will reconsider the revised version of the RJD resolution within a week or so.

The resolution provides an assurance that the Village of Shorewood shall "embrace people of any race, religion, national origin, ethnicity, immigration status, sexual orientation, sexual or gender identity, or disability."

Shorewood "will not adopt nor enforce any policy that allows for unlawful discrimination or denial of services or benefits to individuals on the basis of their race, religion, national origin, ethnicity, immigration status, sexual orientation, sexual or gender identity,  or disability, according to the resolution...it's elected and non-elected officials...shall not do the work of, nor voluntarily facilitate the work of, Immigration and Customs Enforcement or Customs and Border Patrol."

Video: Shorewood Safety Committee hearing for consideration of a Resolution for Justice and Dignity https://youtu.be/xHKEiXadm6s

Revised Resolution: