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<br />REQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION <br />Date: 7/22/2024 <br />Item No.: 5.a. <br />Department Approval City Manager Approval <br /> <br /> <br />Item Description: 74th Commemoration of Karen Martyrs' Day - August 12, 2024 <br />1 <br />2 Background <br />3 The Karen are indigenous people in the Southeast Asian countries of Thailand and Burma <br />4(now Myanmar). The Karen aided the British during World War II, and many Karen were <br />5 killed in the effort; and on August 12, 1950, Karen National leader Saw Ba U Gyi, the <br />6 founder and president of the Karen National Union (KNU), was assassinated with eight of <br />7 his colleagues in Kawkareik, Karen State (Burma) by Burmese Army. Ever since then, <br />8 August 12 is recognized as Karen National Martyrs' Day. On Martyrs' Day, Karen people all <br />9 over the world commemorate and honor fallen leaders, soldiers, and civilians that have lost <br />10 their lives in the struggle for freedom, democracy, and human rights. There are more than <br />11 twenty thousand Karen refugees who now call Minnesota home, making it the largest <br />12 Karen community in the country and a growing number of Karen refugees make their home <br />13 in Roseville and neighboring cities. <br />14 <br />15 Policy Objectives <br />16 This proclamation supports our aspiration to foster a strong sense of community, by being a <br />17 community that is welcoming and inclusive of all people. <br />18 <br />19 Equity Impact Summary <br />20 Recognizing and celebrating the rich diversity of our community is important in building <br />21 trust and relationships with all members of our community. This proclamation recognizes an <br />22 important celebration to residents in our community. <br />23 <br />24 Budget Implications <br />25 None. <br />26 <br />27 Staff Recommendations <br />28 Recommend issuing the proclamation. <br />29 <br />30 Requested Council Action <br />31 Issue the proclamation. <br />32 <br />33 <br />Antonio Montez, Equity and Inclusion Manager <br />Prepared by: <br />1. Karen Martyrs Day Proclamation 2024 <br />Attachments: <br />Page 1 of 2 <br />Qbhf!4!pg!557 <br /> <br />