On June 15, the Village Council has declared racism a public health crisis and made a commitment to taking “meaningful action” in response to the “death, trauma and injury caused by institutional racism.”

As the Yellow Springs News reports,

“The resolution, approved unanimously at the virtual meeting, states that the Village recognizes that “racist beliefs are a direct threat to our residents and visitors” and contribute to a health disparity for people of color.

 

“It is the responsibility of local government in collaboration with community members to actively identify this threat, prioritize implementation of anti-racist policies and take other intentional actions to address systemic racism,” the resolution adds.

 

With the resolution, Council commits to continuing to reform local policing, improving affordability for residents, and to prioritize racial equity in decision-making, among other steps outlined.”

Councilmember Kevin Stokes, Director, Information Technology and Media Services (ITAMS) at Antioch, stated that,

“All these things that are wrong have been wrong for a very long time, but there seems to be this momentum now to make some substantive changes.”

The next Village Council meeting will take place on Monday, July 6, at 7 p.m. via Zoom, YouTube, and Facebook Live.