Boulder council issues three declarations on racial healing and antisemitism as public comments expose sharp divisions

Boulder City Council on Jan. 16 read and issued three declarations marking National Day of Racial Healing (Jan. 21, 2025), International Holocaust Remembrance Day (Jan. 27, 2025) and a formal declaration condemning antisemitism.

Mayor Pro Tem Nuria Folkerts presented the National Day of Racial Healing declaration and emphasized the city’s commitment to racial equity and healing. Pastor James Ray of Second Baptist Church accepted that declaration on behalf of community recipients and called for truth and transformation in race relations.

Councilmember Matt Benjamin read a declaration condemning antisemitism and the council also read the International Holocaust Remembrance Day proclamation, which memorializes the 6 million Jewish victims of the Holocaust and other victims of Nazi persecution. “We condemn antisemitism, hatred and bigotry in all of its forms,” the council’s proclamation said.

Local Jewish and civil‑rights leaders addressed the council following the declarations. Stephanie Clark, co‑founder of Stop Antisemitism Colorado, praised the council’s action and said repeated disruptions at recent council meetings had created an unsafe environment for Jewish residents. “The constant disruptions, intimidation tactics, and blatant antisemitic rhetoric have not only created an unsafe environment but have repeatedly derailed the essential business of our city government,” Clark said.

Susan…