Category Archives: resolutions

Resolution to Support Local, State, and Federal Efforts to Exonerate the Port Chicago 50

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RESOLUTION TO SUPPORT LOCAL, STATE, AND FEDERAL EFFORTS TO EXONERATE THE PORT CHICAGO 50

WHEREAS, on July 17, 1944, the deadliest home front disaster of World War II took place when a tragic explosion occurred at the Port Chicago Naval Magazine killing 320 men (of whom 202 were African American) and wounding 390 (of whom 233 were African American); and

WHEREAS, Port Chicago Naval Magazine was racially segregated and all sailors loading munitions at the time of the explosion were African American; and

WHEREAS, the surviving sailors were entitled to standard survivors’ leave but were denied leave and ordered to clean up after the disaster; and

WHEREAS, the surviving sailors were ordered back to handling high explosives before an investigation could determine the cause of the deadly explosion; and

WHEREAS, 258 ammunition handlers engaged in peaceful work stoppage rather than return under the same unsafe working conditions; and

WHEREAS, fifty of these men were unlawfully charged with mutiny, prosecuted as guilty and sentenced to prison; and

WHEREAS, three weeks after the work stoppage, a Naval Court of Inquiry report confirmed working conditions and practices enforced by Port Chicago leadership were in violation of Naval safety regulations and federal safety code; and

WHEREAS, the actions of the sailors, the public mutiny trial, and public advocacy from their champion Thurgood Marshall, initiated the desegregation of the Navy in February 1946; and

WHEREAS, there have been several attempts over the years to appeal the decision, but all have failed; and

WHEREAS, starting in the 1990s, Congressman George Miller worked to preserve the history of the Port Chicago 50 and worked towards their exoneration, and in 1992, his legislation designated the site of the Port Chicago Naval Magazine as a national memorial, which is managed by the National Park Service; and

WHEREAS, in 2009, President Obama signed legislation to incorporate Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial as a full and permanent unit of our National Park System; and

WHEREAS, the East Bay Regional Park District received part of the Concord Naval Weapons Station through a Public Benefit Conveyance on July 19, 2019, and has named the park the Thurgood Marshall Regional Park – Home of the Port Chicago 50, which honors the courage and legacy of the Port Chicago 50 and all those who sacrificed their lives in our nation’s ongoing struggle for social justice, racial equality, and workers’ rights; and

WHEREAS, Naval historians now recognize the actions of the Port Chicago 50 potentially saved lives and changed the Navy for the better; and

WHEREAS, in 2022, the City of Concord, the City of Albany, the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors passed resolutions supporting local, state, and federal efforts to exonerate the sailors wrongfully convicted of mutiny following the Port Chicago disaster of 1944; and

WHEREAS, in 2022, the State of California successfully passed SJR-15 urging the President of the United States and Congress to restore honor to the sailors unjustly blamed for, and the sailors convicted of mutiny following, the Port Chicago disaster, and to rectify any mistreatment by the military of those sailors, including the full exoneration of those who were convicted at court-martial; and

WHEREAS, in 2023, US Representative Mark DeSaulnier (CA-11), US Representative Barbara Lee (CA-12) and US Representative John Garamendi (CA-08) introduced a resolution recognizing the victims of the Port Chicago disaster and calling for the exoneration of the Port Chicago 50; and

WHEREAS, in June 2023, the Philadelphia 15 were exonerated by Assistant Secretary of the Navy Franklin Parker. This case serves as a an example and pathway to exonerate the Port Chicago 50.

NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Democratic Party of Contra Costa County does hereby resolve as follows:

Section 1. The Democratic Party of Contra Costa County does hereby support these and all efforts to exonerate the Port Chicago 50 and recognize their service to our country.

Section 2. The Democratic Party of Contra Costa County recognizes the efforts that this case presents in our nation’s struggle for social justice, racial equity, and workers’ rights.

Section 3. The Democratic Party of Contra Costa County affirms support for all future efforts which urge the President, Congress of the United States, and Secretary of the Navy to take all necessary actions to restore honor to, and rectify the mistreatment by the United States Military of, any sailors who were unjustly blamed for and convicted of mutiny after the Port Chicago disaster, which occurred in the town of Port Chicago, California, in 1944.

Section 4. This resolution shall become effective immediately upon its passage and adoption.

Approved by the Democratic Party of Contra Costa County, January 18, 2024

Resolution Supporting the Rights of the People of Iran to Free Expression and Standing in Solidarity with the Women and People of Iran

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DPCCC membership approved the following resolution at the November 17, 2022 regular meeting.

WHEREAS a 22-year-old Iranian woman, Mahsa Amini, died after being arrested by the morality police for allegedly violating the Islamic dress code for women on September 16, 2022, reportedly for alleged improper wearing of the hejab, and in response to her death protesters have taken to the streets in more than 50 cities, towns and villages across Iran and reports indicate that Iranian security forces have used lethal force in arresting more than 1,200+ people and killed as many as 87+ people during the demonstrations; and  

WHEREAS Iranian women are at risk of suffering brutality and death for perceived violations of a dress code imposed on them by others; and

WHEREAS the Iranian government has also restricted the internet, cutting access to Instagram and WhatsApp to prevent communication, access to information, freedom of expression to repress the rights of Iranian citizens, journalists, and human rights defenders.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Democratic Party of Contra Costa County stands with the people of Iran, particularly women, who are engaged in legitimate and peaceful protests against an oppressive and corrupt regime, and 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Democratic Party of Contra Costa County condemns those who have routinely and systematically violated human rights, restricted freedom of peaceful assembly and association and freedom of opinion and expression, including the continuing closures of media outlets, arrests of journalists, and censorship of expression in online forums, and we call on the Iranian government and security forces to cease their attacks on (and killing of) those protesting Mahsa Amini’s death, for a thorough and unfettered investigation by a trusted international body into the circumstances of her arrest and cause of death, and full accountability for all those determined to have been responsible for the death of Mahsa Amini and the 87 others, and growing, who have subsequently been killed.

Submitted by Susan Hildreth, Elected member, District 1, on behalf of Sousan Manteghi-Safakish

Co-authors:  Nima Rahimi, Ladan Manteghi, Shebreh Kalantari- Johnson (Councilmember, City of Santa Cruz), Tony Khoshaba, Sousan Manteghi-Safakish

Co-Sponsors: Congresswoman Anna Eshoo, Dr. Shokooh Miry, Edesa Bitbadal, Ryan Khojasteh, Amar Shergill (Chair, Progressive Caucus-CA Dem Party), Mahnaz Moghaddam,  Sina Ferdosi,  Leslie Austin (Chair, San Bernadino County Democratic Central Committee), Aisha Wahab (Councilmember, City of Hayward; Candidate, CA State Senate), Jean Cohen ( Vice-Chair, oSanta Clara County Democratic Party), Maimona Afzal Berta (Board Member, Franklin-McKinley School District; Candidate, Santa Clara County Board of Education, Area 6), Carol Garvey, Richard Constantine (Mayor, City of Morgan Hill), Andrew Goldenkranz (Chair, Santa Cruz County Democratic Party), Katherine Chavez Napoli, Joanne Fierro,  Armando Benavides

Political Organization Co-Sponsors: SCCDP (Santa Clara County Democratic Party), BAIAD (Bay Area Iranian-American Democrats), ADBA (Assyrian Democrats of Bay Area), SVDC (Silicon Valley Democratic Club)

Approved by the Democratic Party of Contra Costa County, November 17, 2022

Resolution in Support of a State Windfall Profits Tax on Oil Corporations

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DPCCC membership approved the following resolution at the November 17, 2022 regular meeting.

WHEREAS according to the California Energy Commission, while crude oil prices are down, oil companies have increased gas prices in California by a record 84 cents per gallon in just the last month alone, with the average price of gasoline at the pump surging from $5.06 to $6.29 despite the price of oil decreasing from about $100 per barrel to $85 per barrel; and

WHEREAS oil companies and their executives have failed to provide an explanation for the divergence between prices in California compared to the national average and, while spokespeople have blamed it on five refineries temporarily shutting down at the same time, such unplanned maintenance issues have occurred in the past – most recently in September 2019 – without prices at the pump skyrocketing anywhere near this degree; and

WHEREAS on September 30 Governor Newsom called for a windfall profits tax to put record oil profits back in Californians’ pockets;

RESOLVED that the California Democratic Party supports the Governor’s call for a windfall profits tax on oil corporations;  

RESOLVED that the California Democratic Party reaffirms its support of measures that increase access to affordable alternatives to internal combustion engine vehicles, measures such as public transit, and forms of zero-emission multi-modal transportation, and zero-emission vehicles.

Submitted by Nadine Peyrucain, Elected Member, District 5

Author: Igor Tregub, AD15, 510-295-8798, itregub@gmail.com 

Sponsors:

California Democratic Party Regions 5, 6, 7; Igor Tregub, AD 15; Nadine Peyrucain, AD 14; Michele Sutter, AD 61; Pamela Drake, AD 18; Dan Kalb, AD 15; Michael Kapp, AD 46; Leah Herzberg, AD 46; Emily Brandt, AD 23; Libby Frolichman, AD 72; Kate Harrison, AD 15; Andrea Beth Damsky, AD 79; David Atkins, AD 37; Jessica Craven, AD 52; Sean Frame, AD 6; Ianthe Zevos, AD 52; Kathy Dervin, AD 20; Devin T. Murphy, AD 15; Elaine Hagen, AD 5; Sara Roos, AD 54; David Mandel, AD 7; Ruth Carter, AD 12; Wendy Bloom, AD 15; Doris Dent, AD 45; Michael Barnett, AD 15; Loraine Lundquist, AD 45; Jerilyn Stapleton, AD 46

Approved by the Democratic Party of Contra Costa County, November 17, 2022

Proclamation of February 2023 as Black History Month

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DPCCC membership approved the following proclamation at the November 17, 2022 regular meeting.

WHEREAS Black History Month is an annual celebration of achievements of Black Americans and a time for recognizing the central role of Black people in U.S. history; and  

WHEREAS Black History Month grew out of the establishment, in 1926, of Negro History Week by Carter G. Woodson and through the struggles of other prominent Black Americans in U.S. history; and 

WHEREAS since 1976, every U.S. president has officially designated the month of February as Black History Month; and 

WHEREAS the actions and rhetoric of certain people and/or entities calls our attention to the fact that it is long past time to confront deep racial inequities and structural racism that continue to plague Contra Costa County and our nation; and  

WHEREAS the unwarranted deaths of Black Americans who fought for civil rights and equality for all in the U.S., including the Port Chicago 50 in Contra Costa County, are symbols of that inequity; and we are reminded to reflect on Black Americans who have been marginalized and negatively impacted the most by false narratives, the economy, health care, education, housing and the disproportionate aftermath of the pandemic in the Black community; and

WHEREAS as we strive to fully live up to the founding principles of the Democratic Party of Contra Costa County– that all people are created equal and have the right to peaceful and prosperous lives – we commit to the goal of having a Central Committee that looks like America – one that reflects the full talents and diversity of the American people; and

WHEREAS we commemorate the long legacy of political and civic leadership within the Black community represented by many Black elected officials in Contra Costa County, including Diana Becton, the first Black woman to serve as the Contra Costa District Attorney, Audrey Comeaux, the first Black woman to serve on the West County Wastewater Board of Directors and Patt Young, the first Black woman to serve on the Contra Costa Water District Board; and

WHEREAS today the Democratic Party of Contra Costa County has Black American party leaders who are publicly elected members, club representatives, and/or California Democratic Party Executive Board members, directly paving the way for greater diversity and Black representation within the Democratic Party;  

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Democratic Party of Contra Costa County hereby proclaims February 2023 as Black History Month and encourages all constituents to join us in celebrating this special month; and 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that we call on the Democrats of Contra Costa County to honor the history and achievements of Black Americans and to reflect on the centuries of struggle and progress that have brought us to this time of reckoning, redemption, and hope.

2022 Proclamation revised with input from DPCCC Black American leaders

Approved by the Democratic Party of Contra Costa County, November 17, 2022

Resolution In Support of State Funding for Adult School Classes for Older Adults

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DPCCC membership approved the following resolution at the October 20, 2022 regular meeting.

WHEREAS the California Masterplan for Aging, which seeks to establish “A California for all ages” by 2030, has as one of its goals Inclusion and Equity, not Isolation, for California’s seniors; and

WHEREAS the California Democratic Party Platform for 2022 includes support for Adult Education and Community College programs for life-long learning; and

WHEREAS education programs for older adults are a low-cost, effective way to combat isolation and promote healthy aging that can reduce the likelihood of participants contracting dementia by 18% (American Journal of Epidemiology, vol. 155, No.12, June 15, 2002) and can save the state money by improving healthy life expectancy; and

WHEREAS California had, for decades, a robust network of free education opportunities for Older Adults offered through the state’s adult schools and community colleges which was funded by the state, but was completely defunded in adult schools in 2013 and has also been much reduced in the community colleges; and

WHEREAS this network of education opportunities for Older Adults still exists in vestigial form in some community colleges and adult schools and could be brought back in order to fulfill the goals of the Master Plan on Aging.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Democratic Party of Contra Costa County recognizes that the State of California needs state-funded educational opportunities for Older Adults in order to fulfill the goals of the California Master Plan on Aging; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Democratic Party of Contra Costa County declares support for state funding educational opportunities for older adults through the state’s adult schools and community colleges; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Democratic Party of Contra Costa County will review and consider proposed legislation that restores state funding for adult school and community college educational programs for Older Adults.

Submitted by Maria Alegria, Elected Member, District 1 and Kristen Pursley, West County Adult School Teachers United 

Approved by the Democratic Party of Contra Costa County, October 20, 2022

Resolution in Support of West Contra Costa Adult Education Teachers

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DPCCC membership approved the following resolution at the October 20, 2022 regular meeting.

WHEREAS teachers in the West Contra Costa Adult Education system provide instruction in High School Diploma, GED and English as a Second Language, classes for Older Adults and Adults with Disabilities, as well as low cost vocational training and a rich variety of low-fee classes responsive to the changing interests and needs of West County residents, all of which contributes to the economic vitality, physical and emotional health, cultural richness, technological aptitude and academic success of West County’s diverse communities; and

WHEREAS Adult School Teachers United, a union representing adult school teachers in the West Contra Costa Adult Education system, was recognized by the Public Employee Relations Board and West Contra Costa Unified School District in 2017; and 

WHEREAS Adult School Teachers United is still bargaining its first contract with West Contra Costa Unified School District, and negotiations in 2022 have ground almost to a halt.

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Democratic Party of Contra Costa County recognizes that the work of West Contra Costa Adult Education teachers is a crucial resource for West Contra Costa County which greatly enriches the economic and cultural life of the area; and 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Democratic Party of Contra Costa County declares support for adult educators; and 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Democratic Party of Contra Costa County urges the West Contra Costa Unified School District to conclude negotiations for the first contract for West Contra Costa Adult Education teachers with all possible speed.  The Democratic Party of Contra Costa County will make this request in a letter to the Superintendent of Schools and the Board of Education of the West Contra Costa Unified School District. 

Submitted by Maria Alegria, Elected Member, District 1 and Kristen Pursley, West County Adult School Teachers United 

Approved by the Democratic Party of Contra Costa County, October 20, 2022

Resolution recognizing the City of Hercules and its efforts to combat the wage gap through the Hercules Equal Pay Ordinance

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DPCCC membership approved the following resolution at the October 20, 2022 regular meeting.

WHEREAS the City of Hercules is a vibrant and diverse city with over 76% of the city’s population identifying as a person of color; and 

WHEREAS 51% of Hercules residents identify as female; and 

WHEREAS female-identifying residents earn an average of $7,464 less than male-identifying individuals in the city; and 

WHEREAS Hercules’ poverty rate for female-identifying folks stands at 6.91% compared to 3.74% for male-identifying community members; and

WHEREAS female-identifying Hercules residents have higher education attainment than male-identifying residents; and

WHEREAS Vice Mayor Walker-Griffin, introduced and passed the Hercules Equal Pay Ordinance to combat the gender wage gap; and

WHEREAS Hercules is the first and only city in the United States to mandate a signed affidavit agreeing to the terms of the Hercules Equal Pay Ordinance and the California Equal Pay Act; and

WHEREAS failure to sign the agreement or violations results in permanent termination of business in the City of Hercules; and 

WHEREAS the City of Hercules recognizes the importance of addressing the equity gap associated with income and has blazed the trail for other cities to follow; and

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Democratic Party of Contra Costa County recognizes the City of Hercules for its historical actions to address the wage gap and use this as a platform for other cities and towns to be inspired to combat the wage gap in their cities. 

Submitted by Alex Walker-Griffin, Vice Mayor, City of Hercules

Approved by the Democratic Party of Contra Costa County, October 20, 2022

Proclamation Recognizing December 10, 2022, as Human Rights Day

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DPCCC membership approved the following proclamation at the October 20, 2022 regular meeting.

WHEREAS the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was adopted by the United Nations on December 10, 1948, and is the first agreement among countries around the world identifying the rights and freedoms that belong to every one of us as human beings; and

WHEREAS December 10 of each year is celebrated around the world as “Human Rights Day”; and

WHEREAS the Declaration consists of a preamble and 30 articles that set out a broad range of fundamental human rights and freedoms to which all of us, everywhere around the world, are entitled. It guarantees our rights without distinction of nationality, place of residence, gender, national or ethnic origin, religion, language, or any other status; and

WHEREAS despite the efforts to protect human rights, the hostility toward human rights and those who defend them continues to rise; and 

WHEREAS Human Rights Day advocates for everyone to stand up for their rights and those of others’ civil, economic, political, and cultural rights; and

WHEREAS Human Rights Day aims to enlighten us about how our rights are a foundation of sustainable development and peaceful societies and acknowledges the advocates and defenders of human rights around the world; and

WHEREAS many residents of Contra Costa County are not aware of their universal rights as enshrined in the Declaration, do not know that the United States is a signatory to this Declaration, and do not know how to obtain redress if their rights are violated; 

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Democratic Party of Contra Costa County hereby recognizes December 10, 2022, as Human Rights Day and commits to bring forward resolutions in support of human rights issues and to uphold and defend freedom, democracy, and human rights in our own county, in our country, and around the world; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Democratic Party of Contra Costa County shall communicate this resolution to Contra Costa County Democrats and Contra Costa Democratic Clubs to increase awareness of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and encourage discussion of the rights and freedoms that belong to every human being.

Submitted by Craig Cheslog, Associate Member, District 5

Approved by the Democratic Party of Contra Costa County, October 20, 2022

Resolution urging that the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors conduct open study sessions on critical Contra Costa County Sheriff Department functions related to the internal investigations process from an equity lens, including potential oversight mechanisms

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DPCCC membership approved the following resolution at the September 15, 2022 regular meeting.

WHEREAS in 2020 the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors declared racism was a public health crisis and “a social system with multiple dimensions: individual racism that is internalized or interpersonal and systemic racism that is institutional or structural”; and

WHEREAS in 2020 the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors declared that Black/African Americans, Latinx, and other communities of color are disproportionally impacted by health disparities; and

WHEREAS mental care and health care are equity issues which disproportionately impact communities of color in Contra Costa County with respect to access to intervention services, proper diagnosis and care; and

WHEREAS it required the proactive efforts of advocates to ensure that the County established mobile crisis and alternative behavioral health crisis intervention models such as the A3 model (Anyone, Anywhere, Anytime); and

 WHEREAS the work of advocates like Duane Chapman, former chair of the County Mental Health Commission, advocated for mental health crisis response reform for many years; and

WHEREAS the Contra Costa Sheriff Department sent staff to be trained on the Mental Health Evaluation Team (MHET) model in 2012, but did not implement a MHET team until 2021, years after many Contra Costa cities implemented the program when leadership was required; and

WHEREAS there are longstanding concerns about Coroner’s findings in inquests, and actions of deputies by the families of those who lost their lives from use of force as a result of mental health crisis response by Contra Costa County Sheriff deputies that exposed the County to legal liability; and

 WHEREAS Sheriff Livingston supported the actions of Deputy Hall, who was charged and convicted, and wrote a public letter to his deputies supporting the actions of Deputy Andrew Hall, who was sentenced to six years in prison after being convicted of assault with a firearm in the fatal shooting of motorist Laudemer Arboleda, 33, during a slow-speed car chase in November 2018; and

 WHEREAS Deputy Andrew Hall was permitted to return to duty while the previous case was pending and fatally shot Tyrell Wilson, 33, in Danville on March 11, 2021; and

 WHEREAS there are concerns about the accuracy and thoroughness of recent Sheriff’s investigations, including a recent case where criminal charges have been filed in the case of a former Contra Costa County Sheriff volunteer with the Contra Costa County Posse who is accused of building and selling ghost guns obtained from the Sheriff’s gun range; and

 WHEREAS these actions expose the County to legal and financial liability; and

WHEREAS these actions are a concern to public trust which merit investigation and procedural changes; and

WHEREAS the citizens of the County have requested oversight and checks and balances for investigations by the Contra Costa County Sheriff Department to help build positive relationships, trust and transparency between the community and law enforcement.  

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Democratic Party of Contra Costa County ask the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors to conduct open study sessions regarding critical Sheriff Department functions related to the internal investigations process from an equity lens, including establishing a civilian oversight body; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that by January 15th, 2023, the County Administrator’s Office convenes a working group to create oversight recommendations to the full Board of Supervisors which would include two to three community advocates, at least two individuals with lived experience or familial experience with the behavioral health system, at least two community representatives , the Sheriff and/or his designee,  two representatives of the Contra Costa County Deputy Sheriff’s Association, and at least two representatives from BIPOC communities; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the findings of this process be presented to the Board of Supervisors on a regular basis for public comment and review along with a measurement dashboard, including examining mental health encounters and treatment referrals from a race equity framework in a public process for discourse. 

Original resolution submitted June 30, 2022, by Michelle Milam and Maria Alegria, elected delegate, District 1

Approved by the Democratic Party of Contra Costa County, September 15, 2022