Page 1 of 3
28
Jesse Arreguín
City Councilmember, District 4
CONSENT CALENDAR
October 18, 2016
To:
Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From:
Councilmember Jesse Arreguín
Subject: Retroactive City Sponsorship of Latino Heritage Month
RECOMMENDATION
Adopt a Resolution retroactively approving City sponsorship of the Berkeley City
College Latin American Club’s Latino Heritage Month event on September 15, 2016.
BACKGROUND
September 15 marks the beginning of Latino Heritage Month, which lasts through
October 15. The Latin American Club of Berkeley City College held an event at the
college and Civic Center Park on September 15 to celebrate the beginning of this
observation.
The theme of the event was celebrating the diversity of Latino cultures. Much of this is
in response to the toxic rhetoric that has been promoted on a national level targeting
Latino and other minority groups. The event served to educate and spread a positive
message to counteract the negativity of those who seek to build walls and divide
communities.
Because this event has already happened, we are asking for a retroactive city
sponsorship of the event.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS
None
ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY
No adverse effects to the environment.
CONTACT PERSON
Jesse Arreguin, Councilmember, District 4
510-981-7140
Attachments:
1: Resolution
2: Event Description
2180 Milvia Street, Berkeley, CA 94704 ● Tel: (510) 981-7140 ● TDD: (510) 981-6903 ● Fax: (510) 981-7144
E-Mail: [email protected]
Page 2 of 3
RESOLUTION NO. ##,###-N.S.
RETROACTIVE CITY SPONSORSHIP OF LATINO HERITAGE MONTH
WHEREAS, September 15 – October 15 marks Latino Heritage Month, a tradition that
started as Hispanic Heritage Week in 1968, expanding to an annual monthly event in
1988; and
WHEREAS, on Thursday, September 15, 2016, the Latin American Club of Berkeley City
College held a celebration to kick-off the month; and
WHEREAS, the event took place at Berkeley City College, and included food, games,
music, and motivational speakers; and
WHEREAS, the event focused on celebrating the diversity of Latino cultures and
promoting positivity in light of recent national negative rhetoric against Latino
communities; and
WHEREAS, retroactive city sponsorship of this event has been requested.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the City of Berkeley that the
City of Berkeley hereby retroactively co-sponsors the Latin American Club of Berkeley
City College Latino Heritage Month event, has permission to use the City’s name and
logo in the event’s promotional materials and signage naming the City of Berkeley as a
co-sponsor solely for the purpose of the City indicating its endorsement of the event.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this co-sponsorship does not: (1) authorize financial
support, whether in the form of fee waivers, a grant or provision of City services for free;
(2) constitute the acceptance of any liability, management, or control on the part of the
City for or over the Latino Heritage Month event; or (3) constitute regulatory approval of
the Latino Heritage Month event.
Page 3 of 3
Attachment 2
LATINO HERITAGE MONTH EVENT PROPOSAL
Date: September 15, 2016 - October 15, 2016
Event Title Latino Heritage Month
Proposed Event Date: September 15, 2016 3:30 pm - 5:30 pm
Description of the Event:
Latino Heritage Month (dubbed Hispanic Heritage Month). The observation of Latino Heritage Month
began in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week under President Lyndon Johnson and was expanded by
President Ronald Reagan in 1988 to cover a 30-day period starting on September 15 and ending on
October 15. It was enacted into law on August 17, 1988, upon the approval of Public Law 100-402.
However this celebration means much more to us than a 48 year old law; this is a time for Latinos in
America to wear their Latino pride on their sleeve and share the many wonders and beauties of our
culture.
The term “Hispanic” was first introduced into the US Census in 1970. Yes, many Latinos and other
representatives in this country fought for this word during that time; however the word is not inclusive
to all Latinos in Latin America. We want to celebrate this Heritage month with the recognition of all
Latinos, and we can only do that if we keep this month inclusive for all of us. This is also a great way to
educate the community on the differences between the term Hispanic and Latino. We want to remind the
community that one of the greatest aspects of our culture is our diversity, something that as Americans,
the United States emphasizes. And by recognizing this celebration as Latino Heritage Month we are
making a difference. During this month we intend on educating the community on the many different
diversities that exist within our culture as well as bring awareness and prayers to all struggling Latin
countries.
On the first day of Latino Heritage month we will begin with an opening celebration that we would like
to have at Martin Luther King Jr. Park. In order to get more traction for this event we want to begin it at
3:30pm and conclude by 5pm. This time window gives the club more time to set up as well as a
sufficient amount of time to have a well-planned out event. The opening of the event will kick off with
brief speeches and announcements. Then we will have a motivational speaker telling a personal
narrative of their life and journey. We find it is very important for us to have great visibility during this
event because of all the negativity and hate that has been the driving force of this year’s election. It’s
affected all minorities, but especially the Latino community. For this reason it has become even more
crucial that we raise our visibility and bring love and positivity back to our communities. The event will
transition into games, activities and will have a DJ set with different sounds from Latin America.
We hope that after reading this, you too understand that Latino Heritage Month is not simply just a law
enacted in 1968; it is a crucial celebration for the Latino identity in America. As college students we
recognize the importance in raising our voices and standing for our people as well as reinstating our
identity. By bringing more visibility and awareness to Latino culture we can remind America that, no we
are not rapists, nor drug dealers. We are students, creators, educators, employees, and much more. This
Latino Heritage Month, we plan on reminding America that in order to stay great, you must embrace
diversity as it embraces you. We intend on making this a very memorable 2016 Latino Heritage Month
for City of Berkeley.