Thread by @ChiAlderwoman

My statement on #ChicagoIndiaResolution: For months now, we've heard from public commenters about Resolution 2020-583 Celebrating India's Democracy. I introduced the original non-binding resolution in July.

After hearing concerns from the Indian government, the Chicago Coalition for Human Rights in India and my office agreed to make some changes out of consideration for their concerns. Our substitute resolution passed unanimously out of committee in February.

Some of my colleagues have told me that they don't feel comfortable voting in support of this resolution because they don't have a good understanding of the issues being brought to them. I get it. When 49th ward residents brought me the request, I was hesitant.

But after reading about the issue and seeing threats to democracy that mirrored some of what we had been experiencing under the Trump administration, it was clear that speaking up on behalf of residents who asked me to serve as their voice was the right thing to do.

Our resolution states a few simple facts: India is the world's largest democracy. India has been a wonderful, valued partner with our country and the city of Chicago. We celebrate India and its achievements.

And also, democracies live or die on the issue of governments respecting the rights of citizens to live free from oppression. Religious oppression, oppression based on skin color, class or caste have no place in a healthy democracy. Not here, not anywhere.

Moreover, language in this resolution is reflective of the current position of President Joe Biden and our current federal government and the language of our ordinance mirrors some of the very language on Biden’s website.

To those who think it is not the place of Chicago City Council to use our platform to speak out on issues outside of our city, specifically when our residents bring these issues to our attention...

I ask you to consider that in 1984, then 29th Ward Alderman, now Congressman, Danny Davis entered a resolution in Council condemning apartheid. It passed.

I've met with India's Consul General, I gather many of you have as well, and I respect the right of a sovereign nation to lobby for their own benefit.

I've also met with many people organizing the opposition to this non-binding resolution over the last couple of months because I respect others rights to dissenting opinions and views - it makes for a healthy democracy.

The main argument they brought to me as to why I should withdraw this resolution was that bringing up "these issues" causes conflict or disharmony here. The intent was never to cause disharmony. If you look at the language of the resolution itself you will see that this is clear.

And the support that I've heard has been unwavering and strong. The residents who are asking you to vote yes in support of this resolution are doing so because their voices and the voices of their families are being silenced.

As a Black woman, my family and I are very familiar with hearing arguments from people who don't want us to bring up issues or talk about systems of oppression because it "creates conflict."

Religious freedom and freedom from persecution based on caste, class or race are core tenets of democracy and are worth defending.

Thank you to Chicago’s South Asian community and to residents in my ward who asked me to lift up and amplify their voices on this issue and trusted me to see it through. I ask my colleagues for your support on this.

Thank you to @janschakowsky @RepChuyGarcia and @RepMarieNewman for your vocal support of our resolution.

Thank you to my 17 colleagues who stood with our South Asian residents and on the side of justice today. We didn't pass this resolution, but we shone a real light on the issue. #ChicagoIndiaResolution