Hello everyone! As of today, we’ve reached over 1,000 signatures. Thank you so much again for signing and sharing the petition.
With the upcoming council meeting on January 23 at 4:00PM, we wanted to provide some updates. Recently we’ve learned that Councilmember Kim has reiterated through multiple channels that she believes her responsibility as an elected official is to “prioritize local concerns and refrain from engaging in foreign policy discussions.[1]” She also has avoided constituents who have approached her in an attempt to better understand her position and in good faith, persuade her of the urgency in supporting a ceasefire resolution. Councilmember Kim is misguided in her reasoning, acting in line with other politicians—like councilmember Kathleen Treseder—who neglect, deny, and/or even justify the genocide. Her position continually erases Palestinian voices and callously excuses the rise of anti-Palestinian, anti-Muslim, anti-Arab, and anti-semitic sentiments.
And yet, despite her unsound reasoning, Councilmember Kim has previously acknowledged, addressed, engaged, and supported local initiatives and events which connect Irvine and Orange County to the historical and present day injustices happening around the world. As mentioned in our initial letter, Councilmember Kim agendized a resolution on April 13, 2021 opposing the rise of anti-Asian hate in the context of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. On April 11, 2022, Kim sent aides in support of a fundraiser held by the Korean American Federation of Orange County for the Ukrainian people displaced by Russia’s invasion.[2]
If you are able to, please show up to the council meeting tomorrow at 4:00PM to make a public comment and support those who do speak. If you wish to make a public comment, we recommend arriving earlier as sign-ups usually begin around 3:30PM. You can also make a public comment via Zoom. Meeting ID: 848 4853 1263, Passcode: 272906 To request to speak virtually raise your hand in the video call.
Another option to participate is joining the Zoom web conference from your phone, dial 669-900-6833 or 346-248-7799. When prompted, enter the same Meeting ID: 848 4853 1263, and Passcode: 272906. To raise your hand to request to speak, press *9. To unmute, press *6.
We must make it clear to Councilmember Tammy Kim that her position on what constitutes a “local issue” is hypocritical given her record. Her lack of empathy for the Palestinian people endangers her constituents, especially those directly affected by rising xenophobia.
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[1] Quote lifted from an email correspondence from Tammy Kim’s office to a constituent. Source: https://www.instagram.com/p/C2TeeAGJ_jl/?img_index=1
[2] Tammy Kim sent aides and supported a fundraiser on April 11, 2022 for Ukrainian people displaced by the Russian invasion. KAFOC Event Recap: OC Koreans too, let’s help Ukraine