2017 Media Releases

Date:

August 28, 2017

For More Information Contact:

Diane Gonzolas, City Communications, 402-441-7831

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Mayor Supports National Effort to Combat Hate, Extremism and Bigotry

Mayor Chris Beutler has signed onto a statement supporting the Mayors Compact to Combat Hate, Extremism and Bigotry. The Compact was created by the U.S. Conference of Mayors (USMC) in conjunction with the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) in the wake of the recent violence in Charlottesville, Virginia.

"Lincoln prides itself on being a City that welcomes people of all nationalities, races, ethnicities and faith tradition," Mayor Beutler said. "What happened in Virginia is a stern reminder that we must all continue to oppose racism, bigotry and discrimination everywhere in America. I applaud these two great organizations for coming together to promote justice and equality for all, two principles on which this nation was built. As Mayor, I pledge to do all I can to rebuke hate and promote peace in our City."

The Compact has 10 key components

• Expressly rejecting extremism, white supremacy and all forms of bigotry
• Denouncing all acts of hate wherever they occur
• Ensuring public safety while protecting free speech and other basic constitutional rights
• Calling for fully-resourced law enforcement and civil rights investigations of domestic terrorism and hate crimes
• Elevating and prioritizing anti-bias and anti-hate programs in our nation's schools
• Supporting targeted communities and bringing together civic and community leaders to build trust
• Celebrating diversity, promoting inclusivity and challenging bias
• Promoting Law enforcement training on responding to and reporting hate incidents, hate crimes and domestic terrorism
• Encouraging residents in their communities to report hate incidents and crimes, including using hot lines and online tools
• Maintaining civil rights enforcement and strengthening hate crime laws when necessary

The Compact statement reads in part, "Mayors and their cities must continue to be a beacon for inclusion, tolerance and respect for all. We will continue to create stronger cultures of kindness and compassion in our communities and expect our federal and state partners to join us in this endeavor."

More information on the Compact is available at MayorsCompact.org.

The USCM is the official nonpartisan organization for cities with a population of 30,000 or more. More information is available at USMayors.org.

Founded in 2013, the nonprofit, nonpartisan ADL is the nation's premier civil rights and human relations organization. More information is available at ADL.org.