This evening February 6, at the Rockland City Council meeting, Rockland City Councilor Ed Glaser will introduce a resolution he is sponsoring which has been in the works by community members for several months.

The resolution, "Resolution Of Commitment To Promoting An Open, Respectful, Healthy Community," was crafted by the new local group, the Woodstove Alliance, and has since gained many other supporters.

The Woodstove Alliance is a nonpartisan advocacy group in the Midcoast, and is committed to protecting and promoting civil rights and environmental justice, according to a news release about the proposed resolution.

Rockland business owner Rhonda Nordstrom, owner of RHEAL Day Spa, supported the resolution, saying in the release: "I'm excited to know Rockland is helping pave the way for Maine's communities to stand firm in our resolution to welcome immigrants/refugees to a better life, loving our neighbors, embracing diversity, practicing inclusion and caring for our fragile environment. Actions like these will ultimately bring us together."

The Board of New Hope for Women unanimously approved the resolution. 

“Unfortunately we are seeing a rise in bullying and harassment locally, especially in the schools, and we aim to proactively stand for a supportive Midcoast,” the release said. “There have been reports of LGBTQI students and their allies facing increasing harassment, as well as residents of color being targeted.”

If Rockland passes the resolution, the city will be among the first in Maine to pass a resolution affirming and embracing diversity, inclusivity, and care for people and the environment. The resolution's aim is to act both as symbolic gesture of our collective values, affirming our support for those who are most vulnerable, welcoming difference and commonality--as well as to point the way forward, building on the good work Rocklanders are doing already to face the challenges we have. To that end, the resolution proposes suggestions for further putting resources and energy towards specific issues.

So far, the resolution has gained  community supporters, ranging from businesses to organizations and individual Rockland residents, workers and students.

As of 3 p.m. Feb. 6, community supporters include the Woodstove Alliance, Asymmetrick Arts, Bella Luna Toys, Curator, The Dancing Elephant, Friends of Penobscot Bay, hello hello books, Jonathan Frost Gallery, Knox County Democratic Committee, Mid-Coast Community Darkrooms, Midcoast Women's Collective, New Hope for Women, Over the Rainbow Yarn, Periscope, RHEAL Day Spa, The Ripple Initiative, Rockland Refuge Recovery, Steel House, Playing With Fire, and many individuals.

We anticipate many more supporters in the coming weeks, and those who are interested or have questions may email redbexxa@gmail.com.

The full text of the resolution is:

RESOLUTION OF COMMITMENT

TO PROMOTING AN OPEN, RESPECTFUL, HEALTHY COMMUNITY

Whereas Rockland, Maine is home to and a destination for diverse people from all over the world:

We as a community are resolved to welcome and celebrate difference, diversity, and individuality among residents, workers and visitors in all ways, including, but not limited to, ability, race, creed, national and cultural origin, immigration status, color, age, religious beliefs, class, neurodiversity, sexuality, gender identification, and gender expression.

We stand in solidarity with all who are marginalized or threatened, and will work to make our community a safer place where each person's dignity is honored. We believe that everyone has a right to clean air, clean water, shelter, safety, food, and pleasure.

We oppose any policy on the part of any government or business which scapegoats people, spreads inequality, and intentionally takes rights away from the most vulnerable among us.

As a community, we intend to continue taking proactive action on the issues we face including, but not limited to, reducing poverty, homelessness, climate change, the criminalization of addiction, sexual assault, racism and domestic violence. We will continue the work we are doing to improve health care access, fair wages, affordable housing, addiction treatment, training for police and first responders in diversity and harm reduction, while maintaining a productive harbor and healthy working waterfront, creating safer school environments, increasing accessibility for people with disabilities and to gender-inclusive bathrooms, and bettering quality of life for all. We want this city to always be a safe place for those needing shelter and will endeavor to provide secure shelter to any who need it.

Rockland will also continue doing its part to protect the environment and mitigate climate change through local action aimed at reducing waste and pollution, planning for rising seas, promoting energy efficiency and sustainable generation, and being good stewards of our natural resources.

This is a community-wide effort. We urge those in need of support to reach out to the city and local groups. We encourage places of worship, homes, schools, businesses, organizations and individuals to post signs and take part in actions which demonstrate our dedication to being a welcoming place of refuge and safety.

We will stand up against any crime of hate or bullying in our community and seek to address the underlying causes of scapegoating. As we look to the future, we know that in order to continue growing in a healthy direction, we need to support those who live here, those who move here, and those who visit.

Rockland, Maine intends to stand as a beacon of diversity and democracy, furthering the project of "liberty and justice for all."