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Resolution No. 2020-59 Condemning Statements by FSU Student Government Association (SGA) Senate President - July 16, 2020RESOLUTION NO. 2020-59 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF AVENTURA, FLORIDA, CONDEMNING THE ANTI-SEMITIC SOCIAL MEDIA POSTS MADE BY THE FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY STUDENT GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION (SGA) SENATE PRESIDENT AND REQUESTING THAT THE FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY PRESIDENT REMOVE THE INDIVIDUAL FROM THE FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY STUDENT GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION (SGA) SENATE; FURTHER DIRECTING THE CITY CLERK TO TRANSMIT A COPY OF THIS RESOLUTION TO THE OFFICIALS NAMED HEREIN; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. WHEREAS, the City of Aventura (the "City"), its Mayor, City Commission, City Manager, and Chief of Police find that anti-Semitism and religious bias have no place in our city and we are committed to working actively against all forms of discrimination; and WHEREAS, the City actively promotes the acceptance of every race, ethnicity and religion; and WHEREAS, the City asserts that everyone should be safe and not fear harm where they live, work and play; and WHEREAS, the City denounces anti-Semitism, discrimination and bias against any race, ethnicity or religion; and WHEREAS, the City became aware of social media posts made by the Florida State University Student Government Association (SGA) Senate President which falsely compared the great State of Israel to evil Nazi Germany, and included the statement "stupid jew thinks he is cool," in reference to a staged photograph of an Israeli soldier with his foot on a Palestinian child; and WHERAS, the City denounces the anti-Semitic social media posts made by the Florida State University Student Government Association (SGA) Senate President; and WHEREAS, the City encourages citizens to stand up against anti-Semitism in all its forms, and to speak out against anti-Semitism through peaceful speech and action; and WHEREAS, the City is committed to safeguarding our community against the dangers of anti-Semitism, and to ensuring that the Constitutional rights of every person who lives, works, and visits our great City are protected. City of Aventura Resolution No. 2020-59 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF AVENTURA, FLORIDA: Section 1. Recitals. That the recitals and findings contained above are hereby confirmed, adopted and incorporated herein. Section 2. Condemnation. That the City Commission hereby condemns the social media posts made by the Florida State University Student Government Association (SGA) Senate President that is deemed to be anti-Semitic, and declares its stance against anti- Semitism, racial, ethnic and religious bias and discrimination. In addition, the City Commission strongly urges the Florida State University President to demonstrate Florida State University's intolerance for such anti-Semitic social media posts by taking action, including the condemnation of the social media posts, and the removal of the Florida State University Student Government Association (SGA) Senate President. Section 3. Transmittal. That the City Clerk is directed to transmit a copy of this Resolution to Florida State University President John E. Thrasher, Miami -Dade County Mayor Carlos A. Gimenez, the Board of County Commissioners, the Executive Director of the Florida League of Cities, and the Miami -Dade County League of Cities. Section 4. Effective Date. That this Resolution shall become effective immediately upon its adoption. The foregoing Resolution was offered by Vice Mayor Weinberg, who moved its adoption. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Mezrahi, and upon being put to a vote, the vote was as follows: Commissioner Denise Landman Yes Commissioner Dr. Linda Marks Yes Commissioner Gladys Mezrahi Yes Commissioner Marc Narotsky Yes Commissioner Robert Shelley Yes Vice Mayor Howard Weinberg Yes Mayor Enid Weisman Yes Page 2 of 3 City of Aventura Resolution No. 2020-59 PASSED AND ADOPTED this 16T" day of July, 2020. ENID WEISMAN, MAYOR AA 4� goell,' ATTEST: ELLISA L. HORVATH, MMC CITY CLERK APPROVED AS TO LEGAL SUFFICIENCY: V4 /-I-� CITY ATTORNEY Page 3 of 3