RESOLUTION NO. 000910

Expressing support of the NAACP economic sanctions for South Carolina.

WHEREAS, the Confederate States of America came into being by way of secession from and war against the United States of America out of a desire to defend the right of individual states to maintain an economic system based on slave labor; and

WHEREAS, the Confederate Battle Flag was raised in the States that comprised the defunct Confederate States of America for the supposed celebration of the Centennial of the War Between the States and as an unspoken symbol of resistance to the battle for civil rights and equality in the early 1960's; and

WHEREAS, the Confederate Battle Flag has been embraced as the primary symbol for the numerous modern-day groups advocating white supremacy; and

WHEREAS, the placement of the Confederate Battle Flag at the South Carolina State House with the flags of two existing governments, the United States of America and the state of South Carolina, implies sovereignty and allegiance to a non-existent nation; and

WHEREAS, the Confederate Battle Flag in its present position of display makes a statement of public policy that continues to be an affront to the sensibilities and dignity of a majority of African Americans in the state of South Carolina; and

WHEREAS, the state of South Carolina because of its geographical place is a prime location for conventions and meetings creating a multi-million dollar tourism industry; and

WHEREAS, the state of South Carolina possesses a unique linkage of heritage and family which makes South Carolina a prime destination for African American family reunions, resulting in tourism dollars that benefit the state of South Carolina, an estimated sixty-eight percent (68%) of all African American family reunions are held in South Carolina; NOW, THEREFORE,

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF KANSAS CITY:

Section 1. While the City of Kansas City, Missouri, commends the South Carolina legislature for removing the Confederate Battle Flag from being flown over the South Carolina State Capitol, it nevertheless condemns South Carolinas action to illuminate the flag on a 30 foot flagpole on the statehouse grounds as an insult to people of color and a slap in the face to all people who want an end to the division of the races in South Carolina and the nation over this issue.

Section 2. That the City of Kansas City, Missouri, calls upon other cities, churches, and faith groups, businesses and corporations, and similar national entities of other cultural compositions that embrace freedom and justice to consider locations other than the state of South Carolina as convention or meeting sites, until such time that the Confederate Battle Flag is removed from the positions of sovereignty in the state of South Carolina.

Section 3. That the City of Kansas City, Missouri, urges its citizens and all families to consider locations outside of the state of South Carolina as reunion sites until such time that the Confederate Battle Flag is removed from positions of sovereignty in the state of South Carolina.

Section 4. That the City of Kansas City, Missouri, by and through its Council and staff, shall not be a part of any conventions or meetings in the state of South Carolina as well as any further measures as appropriate, commencing July 1, 2000, until such time that the Confederate Battle Flag is no longer displayed in positions of sovereignty in the state of South Carolina.

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