Two councilmen stood in the way of a much-talked-about resolution receiving the full support of the Michigan City Common Council on Tuesday.
A resolution titled “Condemning Violence, Bigotry and Hateful Rhetoric Toward Muslims in the United States,” passed 7-2 with councilmen Chris Schwanke and Ron Hamilton voting against it.
Both said they object to the resolution because it should protect the rights of all people, regardless of their religious beliefs. “I have no problem supporting a resolution covering all religions,” Hamilton said before he voted against the one on the table.
Schwanke made similar remarks before also casting his “nay” vote.
The seven other council members spoke in support of this resolution, with Councilman Al Whitlow expressing concern that a resolution condemning hate and bigotry has garnered so much discussion.
“We’re not trying to eliminate hate, although that would be wonderful,” he said. “We are saying the expression of hate through violent acts is inappropriate in this country.”
Councilman Don Przybylinski said, “Michigan City is a progressive, proactive community and a progressive and proactive community always supports its citizens ... In our hearts, we need to stand up for the citizens of the United States, the citizens of Michigan City and human beings in general.”
This resolution was introduced last month by Councilwoman Pat Boy, but was sent to a committee meeting because concerns were raised about the exclusivity of the resolution by just protecting the religious freedom of Muslims.
That committee, made up of council members Hamilton, Candice Silvas and Bryant Dabney, voted 2-1 to support the resolution as written – with Hamilton voting against it.
Just before the vote on Tuesday, representatives spoke in favor of the resolution, urging the council to support it, including speakers from the Human Rights Commission, the Michigan City Commission for Women, Citizens Concerned for Syrian Refuges and the La Porte County NAACP.
In other news, a resolution titled “Urging the Special Interim Committee on Redistricting to Produce a Final Report Supporting Comprehensive Redistricting Reform” was supported unanimously by the council.
This resolution was sent to committee to discuss localizing the redistricting efforts, but it was determined that local governments are dictated by state legislation in regards to voting districts, so it was supported as written.