Anti-racism proclamation stirs controversy

VANCOUVER, Wash. — A councilor in a small southwestern Washington town who introduced a proclamation “acknowledging and denouncing systemic and institutional racism” is facing calls for her resignation.

Yacolt Councilor Amy Boget introduced the proclamation that was ultimately rejected during a meeting earlier this month, The Columbian reported.

Councilor Malita Moseley voted in favor, while councilors Herb Noble, Marina Viray and Michelle Dawson opposed it. At a meeting Monday, Boget made a motion that the town council join the Clark County Council and civil rights organizations in a listening session on systemic racism. The council didn’t second Boget’s motion, and Dawson added her name to the list of those calling for her resignation.

“You have caused an uproar in this town,” Dawson said. “You’re the one that’s wrong.”

Dawson’s comment came during a nearly 3½ hour meeting, most of which was spent discussing the proclamation.

“I appreciate all the people that called in support. I appreciate the people that called not in support,” Boget said. “I’m not going to resign.”

Dozens of people called in to the virtual meeting Monday. Opinions were mixed, though most of the callers opposed the proclamation.

Mayor Katie Listek weighed in this week, saying she also opposed the proclamation.

“If we are condemning the system that we rely on, that can absolutely be a problem,” Listek said.

City councils across the country have been widely discussing systemic and institutional racism and ways to dismantle it since George Floyd’s death by Minneapolis police two months ago.