U.S. Coalition of Cities against Racism and Discrimination
16th Street Baptist Church, Birmingham (USA) © U.S. Department of State / J. Eldridge
The U.S. Coalition of Cities against Racism gathers 51 municipalities from 27 federal states committed to improving city-level policies and services in the fight against racism, xenophobia and discrimination. Each city adopts a 10-Point Plan of Action carrying out concrete steps for its implementation.
The United States Conference of Mayors in cooperation with UNESCO and the United States Department of State launched the U.S. Coalition on 12 September 2013 in Birmingham, Alabama. The inauguration was part of the Empowerment Week activities surrounding the 50th anniversary of the tragic events that marked the civil rights movement for equality in the city.
The U.S. Coalition joins other six national and regional coalitions of the International Coalition of Inclusive and Sustainable Cities – ICCAR. Established in 2004, the global network platform gathers over 500 municipalities worldwide interested in sharing good practices and leveraging local strategies in areas such as education, employment, housing provision and cultural activities.
America’s mayors have taken a strong position in support of civil rights and in opposition to racism and discrimination of all kinds, however, serious racial and ethnic disparities persist. City administrations have been called to perform further efforts to build tolerance and understanding within their local communities.
10-Point Plan of Action
US cities are invited to join the U.S. Coalition of Cities Against Racism and Discrimination by signing onto the Conference's 10-Point Plan of Action.
To join this coalition, mayors will pledge to undertake the following 10 action steps:
Through The U.S. Conference of Mayors:
- Continue collective efforts to speak out against racism and other forms of discrimination and propose solutions, and join with national civil rights organizations in this effort;
- Advocate for inclusion and non-discrimination in all federal laws, policies, and programs;
- Work toward sentencing and prison reform to reduce disparities between blacks and Hispanics and whites in sentences and incarceration rates;
- Improve the ability of people released from prison, who are disproportionately black and Hispanic, to reenter their communities through increased federal support for Second Chance programs and changes in policies and procedures which make it difficult, if not impossible, to become productive members of society;
- Continue calling for an expanded national effort to reduce poverty, which disproportionately affects minority communities, and create employment opportunities by increasing job creation, job training, child care availability, transportation availability, affordable housing, and other needed assistance.
In cities:
- Ensure that city policies and procedures promote inclusion and do not discriminate and that employees are provided the training needed to implement them;
- Use the bully pulpit to provide leadership on issues of concern, engage in the difficult conversations that may be needed, speak out against hate crimes and all discriminatory acts whenever they occur, and provide comfort and assistance to victims of discrimination;
- Work with the school system to promote education about differences, the importance of tolerance, and behavior that respects differences among people;
- Facilitate the integration of immigrants and other new residents into the community;
- Encourage community activities that celebrate diversity and educate city residents about the different cultures that compose a city’s population.
Contacts
UNESCO
Social and Human Sciences Sector
UNESCO
7, place de Fontenoy - 75352 Paris 07 SP France
U.S. Conference of Mayors
Laura DeKoven Waxman
Director of Public Safety
The U.S. Conference of Mayors
1620 Eye Street, NW
Washington, DC 20006
United States of America
Tel.: (202) 861-6754 (w)
E-mail: lwaxman(at)usmayors.org