HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020RESOLUTION NO. 2O2O
A RESOLUTION of the City Council of the
City of Kent, Washington, declaring that it stands in
solidarity with those Washington residents and their
families who have been adversely affected by the
Farmers Produce Trade and Commerce Act, the
Farmers Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm
Services Act, and the Essential Commodities Act
passed in India.
RECITALS
A. The state of washington remains a proud farming community
which understands and respects the contributions of farmers in feeding
nations.
B. The State of Washington is home to thousands of farmers who
still own farmland in their ancestral countries.
C. Numerous rallies have recently taken place across the State of
Washington protesting three farming bills that were passed in India in
September 2020, including the Farmers Produce Trade and Commerce Act,
the Farmers Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Act, and the
Essential Commodities Act. The passing of the bills will result in the
privatization of farmers markets in India and will adversely affect the
financial situation of many Washingtonians and their families back home.
Support for Farmers
in India Resolution
1
D. India's agriculture sector contributes nearly 15 percent of
India's $2.9 trillion economy but employs nearly half of the country's 1.3
billion people.
E. 860/o of Indian farmers only own two or fewer acres of farmland
with an average income of $1,400 per year and do not have the means to
bargain with large, private corporations.
F. Anti-farmer policies, debt, and a deteriorating financial status
have led to 363,726 farmers and farm laborer's committing suicide between
1995 and 2019.
G. Farmers have the right to demonstrate peacefully and the City
Council condemns any police brutality occurring over protests of these bills
in India.
NOW THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CIry OF KENT,
WASHINGTON, DOES HEREBY RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS:
RESOLUTION
SECTION 7, Recitals Incorporated. The above Recitals are
incorporated into this Resolution and constitute findings of the Kent City
Council.
SECTION 2, - Support for Farmers. The Kent City Council stands in
solidarity with those Washington residents and their families who have been
adversely affected by the Farmers Produce Trade and Commerce Act, the
Farmers Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Act, and the
Essential Commodities Act passed in India.
2 Suppott for Farmers
in India Resolution
SECTION 3, - Severability. If any one or more section, subsection,
or sentence of this resolution is held to be unconstitutional or invalid, such
decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining portion of this resolution
and the same shall remain in full force and effect.
SECTION 4, - Corrections by City Clerk Upon approval of the city
attorney, the city clerk is authorized to make necessary corrections to this
resolution, including the correction of clerical errors; resolution, section, or
subsection numbering; or references to other local, state, or federal laws,
codes, rules, or regulations.
SECTION 5, - Effective Date. This resolution shall take effect and be
in force immediately upon its passage.
Dffi&m^
DANA MLPH, MAYOC - \
ATTEST:
KIMBERLEY MOTO,
APP AS
U R
Januarv 5. 2021
Date Approved
Januarv 5, 2021
Date Adopted
PATRICK, CITY ATTORNEY
3 Suppott for Farmers
in India Resolution