Seattle City Council voted to end caste discrimination in Seattle with a 6-1 vote today.
This landmark legislation is the first of its kind in USA.
(Samaj Weekly)- February 21, 2023 – Ambedkar Association of North America (AANA) congratulates and welcomes Seattle City Council’s decision to hear the voices of the oppressed and put an end to caste oppression and discrimination. This legislation, introduced by Councilmember Kshama Sawant, bans caste based discrimination in Seattle. The council stood firm and resisted propaganda and disinformation campaign against this legislation and did the right thing by passing this historic legislation. The outcome today will have reverberations throughout USA and rest of the world. Seattle has paved the way.
AANA is proud to have worked with a coalition of over 170 inter faith, human and civil rights organizations across North America to support the passage of this legislation. We applaud our coalition for working tirelessly to support this win for equity and justice. The coalition and its members comprising the Buddhist, Ravidassia, Sikh, Muslim and other caste oppressed minorities sent e-mails and gave testimonies to the council at grave personal and professional risk. We salute their courage and bravery in doing the right thing.
This victory today is just the beginning of our goal to have caste included as protected category in Title VII of the Civil Rights Act. We will not rest till this is achieved.
Jai Bhim.
www.aanausa.org/[email protected]
