In the spirit of Keene, NH native and civil rights leader Jonathan Daniels support a resolution to the city of Keene, NH to ensure that Keene is a safe and welcoming community for immigrants:

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Keene, New Hampshire

 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF KEENE TO ENSURE THAT KEENE IS A SAFE AND WELCOMING COMMUNITY FOR IMMIGRANTS

 WHEREAS, the city of Keene has a long and rich history of welcoming and successfully integrating diverse immigrant groups into its civic life; and

 WHEREAS, immigrants contribute essential skills as employees and entrepreneurs, thereby strengthening our local economy, which is especially important in a state where the population is aging and many young people look elsewhere for opportunity; and

 WHEREAS, the resources of the Keene Police Department are limited and the funding of city services through local property taxes are an issue of extraordinary concern; and

 WHEREAS, recent studies have shown that humane treatment of immigrants by law enforcement enhances cooperation with police and lowers crime rates (Wong, University of California-San Diego, 2017); and

 WHEREAS, there have been a number of recent events involving racist intolerant behavior in our community which were addressed in a letter signed by community leaders including the Keene Mayor, the Cheshire County Sheriff, the former Keene Police Chief, and the SAU 29 Superintendent of Schools (March, 2017); and

 WHEREAS, Keene is blessed with the legacy of Jonathan Daniels and the example he provided of fighting for justice and offering compassion for those in need; and

 WHEREAS, the mission statement of the Keene Police Department reads, “….to protect life and property and to maintain order within the City while assuring fair and respectful treatment of everyone.”

 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE CITY OF KEENE:

 Will promote the following policies within the Keene Police Department:

 1.    Police Officers, in the performance of their routine duties, will not ask any person about his or her immigration or citizenship status.

 2.    Police officers will not assist U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) or Customs and Border Protection (CBP) in actions intended to enforce federal immigration statutes without clear indications that targeted persons are involved in violent criminal behavior, are in violation of NH State felony laws, or have an outstanding criminal warrant.

 3.    Police officers will not detain or prolong detention of individuals on behalf of ICE or CBP without clear indications that such persons are involved in violent criminal behavior, are in violation of NH State felony laws, or have an outstanding criminal warrant.