Redwood City leaders on Thursday passed two resolutions reaffirming the city’s commitment to inclusion and equity, the latest step in an ongoing effort to uphold welcoming-city values amid fear and uncertainty tied to the national immigration climate.
The council’s action follows a period of heightened anxiety in immigrant communities, with local leaders weighing how much to publicly disclose about enforcement activity, and community groups trying to balance verified alerts with concern about spreading panic after being targeted.
One of the resolutions formally restated the city’s commitment to civil rights, due process and equal access to services. The other reaffirmed the city’s existing authority over city property and facilities, and made clear that the city manager and city attorney can act quickly against unauthorized use, which Mayor Elmer Martínez Saballos described as a precaution shaped by community concerns in the current national policy climate.
“Time is everything in this moment, and it’s going to help us just be ready, should anything ever occur,” Martínez Saballos said.
Council members in attendance unanimously approved the resolutions, reaffirming the city’s commitment to equity and civil rights, and “solidarity with communities of color and historically marginalized populations.” Council member Marcella Padilla was absent.
The first resolution recognized that people of all backgrounds contribute to the city’s “social fabric, cultural richness and artistic beauty, neighborhood character, entrepreneurial spirit and economic vitality.” It also reaffirmed the city’s commitment to resident safety, public trust, equal access to city services and due process of law.
The second resolution reaffirmed the city’s existing authority to regulate access to and use of city-owned property and facilities, and made clear that unauthorized use is prohibited. It authorizes the city manager, city attorney and their designees to enforce those rules, including through legal action.
Martínez Saballos said the practical effect is that city officials can move quickly to issue a cease-and-desist order or take other legal action without first convening the full council.
Council member Isabella Chu offered a portrait of Redwood City’s demographic composition as evidence of the city’s diversity.
According to U.S. Census data, over 35% of San Mateo County is foreign-born. Redwood City specifically is 40% white, 36% Latino, 18% Asian, 17% two or more races, 3% Black, 2% American Indian, and 0.5% Pacific Islander.
“The national conversation about immigration not only affects immigrants themselves, but their families and people who share identities with immigrant communities,” Chu said.
Chu also cited a Redwood City resolution from 1941 as evidence of the city’s long-standing commitment to inclusivity.
“Our government guarantees safeguards of law to all racial groups, the very foundation of American liberty being tolerance for all races and creeds, as long as they are loyal to this nation,” the 1941 resolution states.
Chu also featured the results of Redwood City’s 2025 community survey, illustrating that nearly three-quarters of residents feel the city respects residents from diverse backgrounds and makes them feel welcome, statistics that exceed national benchmarks.
Five members of the public, many of whom represent local non-governmental organizations, unanimously expressed support for the resolutions and the city’s commitment to diversity and inclusion.
The two resolutions were put forward by the Ad Hoc Committee on Special Events, which was established by Martínez Saballos on Feb. 23 to prepare for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the celebration of America’s 250th Independence Day, Oktoberfest, Día de los Muertos and other upcoming community events.
The committee consists of the mayor, Chu and Marcella Padilla and considers organizational processes, responsible enforcement of municipal authority and civic leadership at these events.
In the same meeting, the mayor proclaimed April to be American Muslim Appreciation and Awareness Month, recognizing the history and contributions of Muslim communities locally, statewide and nationally.
