City of Rochester
News Release
(Thursday, Jan. 19, 2017) – Mayor Lovely A. Warren has announced her intention to update and reaffirm the City of Rochester’s “City of Sanctuaries” resolution to reflect modern times and challenges. The update will reflect some of the guidelines released by Attorney General Eric Schneiderman today and the City of Rochester has been and will continue working with his office on this issue.
“Rochester is the home of Frederick Douglass and Susan B. Anthony, so the fight for inclusion and equality is nothing new to us. As an African American woman and the child of an immigrant, I am keenly aware of what discrimination feels like, and equally aware that it has no place or part in the ‘American Dream.’ In 1986, the Rochester City Council passed a resolution declaring us a ‘City of Sanctuaries,’ and I intend to ask our current City Council to bring this resolution up to date and reflect some of Attorney General Schneiderman’s recommendations. I want to make it clear that in Rochester we are one community that is united and strengthened by our diversity, and no one should be denied access to jobs, safe and vibrant neighborhoods or quality educational opportunities simply because of who they are.”
The “City of Sanctuaries” was passed in 1986. The text states in part: “The City of Rochester wishes to continue supporting its citizens in their efforts to maintain and further human rights for its citizens and for all who come within its borders.”
Mayor Warren has directed the City Law Department to draft new language that reflects the modern era and plans to submit this updated “Sanctuary City” Resolution to City Council.
Earlier today, Attorney General Schneiderman released guidelines for local governments who want to be “Sanctuary Cities.” For more information: https://ag.ny.gov/press-release/anticipating-major-changes-federal-immigration-enforcement-ag-schneiderman-provides
The Mayor’s new resolution will reflect some of Schneiderman’s guidelines, particularly those that state that City resources will not be used to create a registry based on anyone’s race, religion, or otherwise.
Currently, Chapter 63 of the City Code prohibits discrimination in City services on the basis of age, race, creed, color, national origin, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, disability or marital status. The term national origin is closely related to status as an immigrant.
Also, the Rochester Police Department General Order 502 states that the Department: “[n]either condones nor permits the use of any bias based profiling in traffic contacts, field contacts, investigations, or asset seizure and forfeiture efforts.” Biased Based Profiling is defined by the General Order to be “ [t]he targeting or stopping of an individual based solely on a common trait of the individual, including but not limited to: age, race, creed, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, disability, marital status, limited English proficiency, or economic status.”
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News Media: For more information contact Press Officer Jessica Alaimo at 428-7135.