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WHEREAS, December 10, 2018 marks the 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR); and
WHEREAS, the recent worldwide rise of xenophobia, anti-Semitism, and racism present unprecedented challenges to the realization of human rights for all; and
WHEREAS, record global levels of displacement and international migration will require Pittsburgh and other cities to promote tolerance as we help accommodate the needs of displaced human beings; and
WHEREAS, cities and communities around the world have increasingly mobilized to implement human rights principles at the local level through “human rights city” and related initiatives; and
WHEREAS, in 1990, Pittsburgh passed an ordinance to protect the rights of persons based on sexual orientation; and
WHEREAS, in 2011, Pittsburgh became the fifth Human Rights City in the United States; and
WHEREAS, in 2014, Pittsburgh passed an ordinance to protect the rights of persons based on gender identity and expression; and
WHEREAS, the current federal government is attempting to re-introduce inequality in the gender spectrum by erasing transgender and gender expansive individuals; and
WHEREAS, the cruel, unscientific, and immoral proposal to define transgender and gender expansive people out of existence will cause unspeakable harm , including the denial of basic civil rights and basic medical care; and
WHEREAS, in 2016, Pittsburgh became the sixth city in the United States to pass a local ordinance to implement the International Convention on the Elimination of All forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW); and
WHEREAS, the One Pittsburgh initiative promotes the UN Sustainable Development Goals including environmental sustainability, inclusion, diversity, and equity; and
WHEREAS, the tragic murders of worshipers from the Dor Hadash, New Light, and Tree of Life Congregations earlier this year serve as a stark reminder of the importance of efforts to actively promote human rights learning and culture in our community; and
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NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, hereby re-affirm our commitment to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the international and national body of laws that serve to implement these principles. Together with Pittsburgh residents, we commit ourselves to working to make our city a model for human rights, where there is dignity and justice for everyone; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh does hereby declare Monday, December 10th, 2018 to be “International Human Rights Day” in the City of Pittsburgh.