On August 28, the Kalkaska Village Council voted on resolution #2017-024, “Affirming the Rights and Privileges of all Persons.” The resolution passed. The Kalkaska for Peace board of directors wants to affirm our support of this resolution. We are grateful for those in this community who have spoken up against hate speech, and see this resolution as a positive step in the right direction. However, this statement does not absolve the hateful rhetoric already spoken, remove its negative effects on this community, or act as a substitute for an apology. Moving forward, we hope to see the unmistakable evidence of this resolution being practiced in the way our community leaders serve Kalkaska. #2017-024, “Affirming the Rights and Privileges of all Persons WHEREAS, the Village of Kalkaska Village Council proudly recognizes that the Michigan Constitution mandates that "Every person may freely speak, write, express and publish his views on all subjects, being responsible for the abuse of such right; and no law shall be enacted to restrain or abridge the liberty of speech or of the press.... "WHEREAS, the Village of Kalkaska Village Council, and by virtue of this resolution the Village of Kalkaska, affirmatively states that any opinions, comments, and statements by any person that are inconsistent with these protections and rights - such as statements threatening or denigrating any person for their race, religion, or ethnicity - whether made by a private citizen or an elected official, are not the opinions, comments, or statements of, and do not represent the position of the Village of Kalkaska Village Council or the Village of Kalkaska. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED as follows: 1. The Village of Kalkaska is committed to the protections of rights of all persons as provided in the United States Constitution and the Michigan Constitution; and 2. The Village of Kalkaska does not agree with any opinions, comments, or statements that are inconsistent with those protections and rights, whether they come from a private citizen of an elected official, and affirmatively states that any such opinions, comments or statements do not represent the position of the Village of Kalkaska Village Council or the Village of Kalkaska."