Support of establishing civil rights protections in East Baton Rouge Parish.

Support of establishing civil rights protections in East Baton Rouge Parish.

The Issue

As the capital and second largest city in Louisiana, Baton Rouge has great cultural, historical and economic significance. But is it a city of true opportunity? A lack of protection from discrimination would indicate that Baton Rouge is not. This is because our municipal code does not currently declare civil rights for any of its citizens. In this report, we propose that a new section of the East Baton Rouge City-Parish Municipal Code be created to dismantle the institutional barriers that exist which hinder the rights and opportunities of its citizens. This report outlines what the new section of the municipal code would do, who would be protected, and why it is important. 

We propose that Baton Rouge take the following steps:

  1. Enact a new chapter to the city-parish municipal code establishing the rights of all citizens and thereby protect against discrimination in employment, housing, and public accommodation based on real or perceived race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, gender, gender identity, familial status, marital status, religion, sexual orientation, disability or veteran status.
  2. Establish within that chapter a volunteer commission to perform the following duties:
  • Serve in an advisory role to the public and city-parish
  • Provide recommendations to Metro Council & Mayor on issues related to civil rights
  • Intake complaints and provides information
  • Provide or coordinate mediation services upon request

The new chapter would make it illegal to discriminate in the following:

  • Commercial Spaces
  • Employment
  • Housing Accommodations (protections already exist, but not for all groups)
  • Private Clubs (as defined by ordinance)
  • Public Accommodations
  • Financial Institutions
  • Education Facilities or Schools

The new chapter would make it illegal to discriminate based on the following:

  • Race or color
  • Ancestry
  • National Origin
  • Age
  • Gender
  • Gender Identity
  • Religious or Political Affiliation
  • Sexual Orientation
  • Disability

We truly believe that passing a civil rights ordinance and creating a commission is a step forward.  Since there is a lack of protections within the city-parish, cases of discrimination are currently deferred to state and federal policies that are not suited to the people of Baton Rouge.  It is in our city’s hands to ensure that our local laws reflect our local values and send the message to potential employers and employees that we are a welcoming city with that famous Louisiana spirit.  

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Progressive Social Network of Baton RougePetition Starter
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This petition had 874 supporters

The Issue

As the capital and second largest city in Louisiana, Baton Rouge has great cultural, historical and economic significance. But is it a city of true opportunity? A lack of protection from discrimination would indicate that Baton Rouge is not. This is because our municipal code does not currently declare civil rights for any of its citizens. In this report, we propose that a new section of the East Baton Rouge City-Parish Municipal Code be created to dismantle the institutional barriers that exist which hinder the rights and opportunities of its citizens. This report outlines what the new section of the municipal code would do, who would be protected, and why it is important. 

We propose that Baton Rouge take the following steps:

  1. Enact a new chapter to the city-parish municipal code establishing the rights of all citizens and thereby protect against discrimination in employment, housing, and public accommodation based on real or perceived race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, gender, gender identity, familial status, marital status, religion, sexual orientation, disability or veteran status.
  2. Establish within that chapter a volunteer commission to perform the following duties:
  • Serve in an advisory role to the public and city-parish
  • Provide recommendations to Metro Council & Mayor on issues related to civil rights
  • Intake complaints and provides information
  • Provide or coordinate mediation services upon request

The new chapter would make it illegal to discriminate in the following:

  • Commercial Spaces
  • Employment
  • Housing Accommodations (protections already exist, but not for all groups)
  • Private Clubs (as defined by ordinance)
  • Public Accommodations
  • Financial Institutions
  • Education Facilities or Schools

The new chapter would make it illegal to discriminate based on the following:

  • Race or color
  • Ancestry
  • National Origin
  • Age
  • Gender
  • Gender Identity
  • Religious or Political Affiliation
  • Sexual Orientation
  • Disability

We truly believe that passing a civil rights ordinance and creating a commission is a step forward.  Since there is a lack of protections within the city-parish, cases of discrimination are currently deferred to state and federal policies that are not suited to the people of Baton Rouge.  It is in our city’s hands to ensure that our local laws reflect our local values and send the message to potential employers and employees that we are a welcoming city with that famous Louisiana spirit.  

avatar of the starter
Progressive Social Network of Baton RougePetition Starter
Media inquiries

The Decision Makers

East Baton Rouge Metropolitan Council
East Baton Rouge Metropolitan Council
Responded
“Establishing civil rights protections for all people will hopefully eliminated all layers of discrimination. Discrimination is itself the neutral act of perceiving differences. In most contexts, however, discrimination is a negative term referring to the practice of unfairly treating a person or group of people differently from other people or groups of people. Discrimination can be based on disabilities, race, ethnicity, intelligence, sexual orientation, or any number of factors that make human beings different. Anyone that thinks not supporting civil rights protection is an act of discernment is deceived by their own prejudice, Discrimination is not the same as discernment. Discernment is proper discrimination based on truth and fact. Discrimination, on the other hand, wrongly judges a person based only on external factors or personal preference. One of the first problems that arose in the early church was due to discrimination: “But as the believers rapidly multiplied, there were rumblings of discontent. The Greek-speaking believers complained about the Hebrew-speaking believers, saying that their widows were being discriminated against in the daily distribution of food” (Acts 6:1, NLT). This squabble pulled the apostles away from teaching and preaching, so the church elected the first deacons to deal with the problem and make sure no one was being discriminated against (Acts 6:2–3). Discrimination was also a problem for the first Jewish believers in Jesus. Because God’s Messiah had come through the line of David and to the Jews first (Romans 1:16), they assumed He was their Messiah only. Disagreement arose then as Gentiles were added to the church. Some Jewish leaders wanted to know how “Jewish” the Gentile believers must become (Acts 14:27; 15:5). Many Jews could not believe that mere faith in their Messiah was enough to justify Gentiles as it had them. Surely the Gentiles should have to do something “Jewish,” such as observe the Sabbath or be circumcised, to be saved (see Acts 15:1 and Galatians 5:1–12). The modern church often wrestles with similar problems. Christians can discriminate against certain people groups or lifestyles, unsure if the same faith that saved us is enough to save “those people,” too (Ephesians 2:8–9). No human being is fully free of prejudice or discrimination. But, extending civil rights protection will being a greater awareness and accountability in the workplace. It’s part of our selfish nature to prefer those of our own kind, whatever that represents to us. Preferences are fine as long as they don’t turn into legalistic discrimination in the political arena against citizens who differ on non-essential aspects of personal self. Without realizing it, we can all be guilty of discrimination. The goal should be to disagree without discriminating. We can overcome our tendency toward discrimination by modeling Jesus’ attitude of humble service (Matthew 20:28). He washed the feet of Judas, knowing that Judas was traitor (John 13:27). He ministered in Gentile regions and in Samaria (Mark 7:24, 31; John 4:4). Rather than incite discrimination between “us and them,” Jesus’ coming to earth broke down the barriers that separated people: “He himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility” (Ephesians 2:14). We can practice the instruction of Philippians 2:3, which says, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves.” There should be no discrimination within the Body of Christ or among the Metro Council. Rejecting civil rights protections, is in itself a form of discrimination and therefore, risks people from receiving the Gospel.”

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Petition created on June 10, 2018