The Kirkland City Council has taken another step to ensure everyone feels welcome in the city.
The Inclusive Communities Proclamation reads: “The City of Kirkland is committed to protecting and serving everyone who resides in, works in or visits Kirkland without discrimination based on race, religion, color, national origin, sex, age, income or economic status, political affiliation, military status, sexual orientation or physical, mental or sensory ability.”
Leah Kliger, Susan David and Northlake Unitarian Universalist Rev. Marian Stewart spoke after the proclamation was read by Councilmember Toby Nixon and signed by Mayor Amy Walen.
“This heroic proclamation reinforces our community’s acceptance of equal treatment and safety for everyone in Kirkland,” Kliger said before recounting her family’s experiences during the Holocaust in hopes that “history doesn’t repeat itself.” “I am so proud and so very grateful to live in a community where city leaders are willing to listen to citizens like me and the others who asked them to speak up and confront hate and despotism.”
Kliger and David are members of the Bibliobabes book group, which presented the idea of an inclusive proclamation to the council. They met with Walen and Councilmember Penny Sweet to share their ideas and submit a draft proclamation.
“(The one read by the council) was actually a better proclamation than the one we had drafted,” Kliger said, adding the ideas shared with the council included moving beyond the proclamation to get people to talk to each other.
Walen said the council wants to take the proclamation beyond words and into action, and she indicated the city would host a series of community conversations to make sure no one feels marginalized in Kirkland. The council plans to discuss the idea further at its retreat on Feb. 3.
In the meantime, a peace vigil is planned from 4 to 6 p.m. Jan. 20 at the corner of Central Way and Third Street, according to Kliger. Attendees are asked to bring their own candles.
Interfaith dinner
Fostering Interfaith Relationships on the Eastside (FIRE) is inviting the public to the eighth in a series of “Dinner Dialogues” aimed at fostering interfaith relationships.
The dialogue, on the topic “Welcoming Refugees, Asylum Seekers and Strangers,” will take place from 5 to 8 p.m. Jan. 29 at St. George Coptic Orthodox Church, 13216 NE 100th Street in Kirkland.
The dinner is potluck, so attendees should bring a dish to share, labeled with the ingredients so those who have food allergies or preferences can make choices.
Those interested in attending should RSVP to rsvp@fire-wa.org. For more information, visit fire-wa.org.
