Inclusive Virginia Cities, Towns and Localities

VICPP joins other organizations and grassroots advocates to call for greater accountability, to see that these policies are followed at every level of government, in all government agencies, and in all branches of law enforcement.

We’d like to thank the cities of Richmond and Alexandria for stating their commitment to being inclusive and welcoming to all.

Is your locality considering a welcoming resolution?
Please share it with us so we can help promote it!
Send a copy to:

Lana Heath de Martinez, Welcoming All Coordinator
lana@virginiainterfaithcenter.org

 

Mayor Stoney’s Mayoral Directive

I hereby direct the Chief Administrative Officer of the City of Richmond to take all necessary and appropriate measures to ensure that all departments under her supervision observe and adhere to the following policies:

  1. That our City will protect and promote policies of inclusion for all of its residents, regardless of their national origin, immigration or refugee status, race, color, creed, age, gender, disability, sexual orientation or sexual identity.
  2.  That the Richmond Police Department will not consent to participate with the Immigration Customs Enforcement 287(g) agreements, and in the interest of public safety and protecting communities, will maintain its policy of not inquiring as to the place of birth or immigration status of individuals with whom it comes into contact.
  3. That in our interactions as representatives of our City, all employees will focus on the needs and safety of our residents, not on their legal status, and will advocate for and promote their wellbeing.Signed, this day, February 6, 2017,

LEVAR M. STONEY
Mayor, City of Richmond

Alexandria City Council’s Statement:

Alexandria, Virginia, is a city of kindness and compassion. We are a thriving community of engaged residents with strong ideals of peace, community service, and both shared and diverse cultures.

Our city declares itself to be a hate-free zone. We are an accepting and embracing community where we treat each other with human dignity and respect. There is no place for intolerance in our community. This is a core value of our city.

In recent times, many of our neighbors, families and children have expressed fear and apprehension, and there has been an increase in hateful and dangerous speech and acts nationwide. Recognizing everyone’s First Amendment right to freedom of speech, we are also dedicated to freedom from fear.

People of diverse culture, race, color, nationality, gender, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, and persons with disabilities live and work together in Alexandria and bring pride and prosperity to our community.
On behalf of the City of Alexandria, the Alexandria Human Rights Commission, and the people we serve, we reaffirm our responsibility to ensure that each person within our jurisdiction is accorded equal protection under the law, including the rights enshrined in the Constitution of the United States and the Virginia Constitution, and those set forth in the Alexandria Human Rights Code.

We proclaim that we remain committed to diversity and to fostering an atmosphere of inclusiveness that respects the dignity and worth of every person without regard to race, color, sex, religion, ancestry, national origin, immigration status, marital status, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or familial status, and we declare that we denounce hate speech, hate crimes, harassment, racial bias, anti-Semitism, Islamophobia, anti-immigrant activity, and harmful bias and discrimination in all forms.

Mayor Allison Silberberg
Vice Mayor Justin Wilson
Councilmember Willie F. Bailey Sr.
Councilmember John T. Chapman
Councilmember Timothy B. Lovaink
Councilmember Redella S. “Del” Pepper
Councilmember Paul C. Smedberg