As a person of Jewish heritage whose first language was Hebrew, Laura Spehar said she’s more familiar with the feeling of fear than the feeling of being included.
That’s why, she said, the city’s inclusion resolution is so important.
“No one will ever understand the power of hate speech better than people of ethnicity, gender difference or sexual orientation differences,” Spehar told the mayor and City Council on Monday. “We know all too well what can happen when speech ignites violence.”