On Dec. 3, the Lacey City Council unanimously passed a proclamation declaring the city's commitment to fostering a safe, welcoming and inclusive community for all.
The proclamation reaffirms the city's dedication to advancing equity, justice and accountability by making meaningful progress on the goals, strategies and action items identified in Lacey's newly adopted Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging Strategic Plan.
This includes improving community engagement, creating more equitable policies while continuing to protect against hate, hate crimes, discrimination, intimidation and other forms of violence and oppression.
“The City of Lacey recognizes and values the diversity of its community members and is committed to fostering a safe, welcoming and inclusive community for all regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, income, educational attainment and English proficiency,” the proclamation states.
The proclamation also acknowledges America’s 400-year history of violence and oppression against Black, Indigenous and other people of color, as well as the LGBTQIA+ community.
"Words matter. And usually I'm not a big fan of just doing proclamations for proclamation's sake,” shared Lacey Mayor Andy Ryder. “But what's different here in Lacey is, not only do we say the words, but we are planning for the future, because the work is not done."
As part of its efforts to strengthen the commitment, the Lacey City Council also mentioned that it has recently adopted its first ever Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging Strategic Plan.
“I’m proud of the work that we did, and we know we have more work to do,” Ryder noted.
National Association for the Advancement of Colored People of Thurston County President Larry Jefferson expressed his gratitude for the proclamation.
“It is a message that reaches out across the state, across the United States and the world, that here we value the diversity that we have, and that we as a community are going to reach out to each other in times of need, to help each other, and to do, ultimately, what Martin Luther King wants us to have, which is to have a beloved community,” Jefferson said.
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Southsoundguy
Pathetic liberal pandering.
Tuesday, December 10, 2024 Report this
tommull
Division Exclusion Indocrination strikes again with pointless symbolic acts! Virtue Signaling in action. ;(
Tuesday, December 10, 2024 Report this
Yeti1981
Imagine being upset about this.Some people!
Tuesday, December 10, 2024 Report this
ViaLocal
Better than nothing.
Tuesday, December 10, 2024 Report this
GeorgeBurazer
Lacey City Council has taken an important action to help reverse the fear and misinformation
that some of our residents experience, especially in our distrusting political environment.
Also, establishing a chapter of the NAACP in Thurston county with Larry Jefferson as its
president will foster awareness of a person's civil rights. I consider both a Christmas blessing.
Tuesday, December 10, 2024 Report this