Agenda Summary
title
Proclaiming that the week of September 12 through September 21, 2025 is Welcoming Week.
body
Official Text
Proclamation
Whereas: Coming together to find common ground with our neighbors, seek similarities within our different cultures and perspectives, and deepen our commitments to each other builds a stronger and more resilient city; and
Whereas: Sharing ideas, food, music, art, and conversation expands our experiences and exposes us to new approaches and solutions; and
Whereas: Welcoming is a core part of who we are in the City of Somerville and who we have been for decades, and Somerville will continue to choose connection, courage, and love over division, fear and hate; and
Whereas: The City of Somerville priorities a spirit of welcoming year-round, and uses this week as an opportunity to pause, reflect and plan for the next phase of welcoming work in our city; and
Whereas: The City of Somerville affirmed its commitment to welcoming through a series of actions starting with our Sanctuary City Resolution in 1987, our Equal Opportunity Resolution in 1993, our Executive Policy for Responding to ICE Detainers and our Trust Act Ordinance in 2014, our Somerville Welcoming Ordinance in 2019 and our reaffirmation of our Welcoming Community Ordinance in 2024; and
Whereas: Our neighbors have chosen to stand in solidarity with one another, those new to Somerville and those who have long called Somerville home, and will continue to uphold the values of belonging, diversity and inclusion.
Now therefore be it known to all those present that the Mayor of the City of Somerville respectfully proclaims the week of September 12 through September 21, 2025 is Welcoming Week, calling upon the people of Somerville to join together to build stronger communities across our city.
Proclaimed on this 28th day of August, 2025 by
Katjana Ballantyne
Mayor