Last week, the Laramie City Council passed an “illegal discrimination” ordinance on first reading by a vote of 8-1. A second reading is set for April 20, and if it passes a final vote should occur in early May. Support for such an ordinance seems overwhelming, and other communities are looking to Laramie as an example. The Council should pass the most comprehensive and meaningful ordinance possible.
Our Interim City Attorney drafted an ordinance that creates an administrative complaints system. This is in place of a proposal to grant victims direct access to courts for “civil remedies.”
If our Council wishes to support equality, then they should consider restoring “civil remedies” to the ordinance. A victim of discrimination who has enough evidence to convince a judge deserves direct access to court, without having to wait for a city “investigator” and a lengthy “conciliation” process.
As they consider how best to promote equality, Council members should not allow themselves to be governed by low expectations. Why not prohibit discrimination by city contractors and groups that receive city funding? How about a requirement to train city police and other staff to recognize illegal discrimination? Perhaps city staff should monitor discrimination complaints and submit an annual civil rights report to the Council—as they do with bias crimes.
I encourage the City Council, and all concerned Laramie residents, to take some time in the coming weeks to ask themselves: “what else can we do to make Laramie a recognized leader in civil rights?”
Bern Haggerty
Laramie resident
