The Holyoke City Council on Oct. 7 adopted a resolution urging civil, non‑demonizing public discourse and denouncing hate speech and extremist rhetoric, following weeks of contentious campaigning and public complaints about posters and signs targeting council members.

Why it matters: Councilors described recent public behavior — including posters and social-media posts targeting elected officials and volunteers — as intimidating and potentially dangerous. Several council members and residents said the resolution is a minimal step intended to remind candidates, supporters and residents of standards for public debate during the election season.

Resolution text and passage: The resolution reads in part that Holyoke is a diverse community that “serves the public best when we…have a civil and thoughtful discourse” and that “there is no place for hate speech and extremist language and rhetoric.” The council took the resolution up under a suspended-rules motion and voted to receive and adopt it in the same meeting. On a roll-call vote the resolution was recorded as passing by a margin of 8–4.

Why some councilors still sought committee work: A few councilors said related work — a proposed council mission-and-vision statement and a list of core values — could be combined with the civility resolution in committee to create a fuller civic-engagement package. One councilor asked that companion orders be reviewed in public service committee so the council could address values, communication standards and a more detailed follow-up plan together.

What’s next: The council adopted the one-paragraph resolution and several members said they intend to pursue complementary work through committee channels so the city can produce a broader code of conduct, mission statement or core values document for the council and candidates to endorse.