Seattle has become the first city in the world outside of South Asia to implement a ban on caste as part of its anti-discrimination law.
The announcement came on Tuesday when the Seattle City Council added caste to the city’s anti-discrimination law following a 6-1 vote in favor, prompting a fierce reaction from opposition groups and an overflow of emotions from supporters.
6-1.
And, with that the first-in-the-nation legislation on caste-based discrimination was passed in Seattle.What an inspiring movement we built!
We thank Councilmember @cmkshama for sponsoring the ordinance and her advocacy.
Now, #BanCasteInUSA ✊🏻 pic.twitter.com/O1kKjUrvfY
— Ambedkar International Center (AIC) (@ambedkar_center) February 22, 2023
Jai Jai Jai Jai Jai Bhim! in @SeattleCouncil after the historic decision to outlaw caste discrimination. Thanks @cmkshama pic.twitter.com/kUorWqfBAX
— Obed Manwatkar (@obed_manwatkar) February 22, 2023
Cheers and chants echoed through the city hall chamber after the council voted in favor of the ordinance pushed forward by District 3 City Council member Kshama Sawant.
Several supporters of the ordinance chanted “Jai Bhim” (victory for Bhim), a rallying cry for followers of B.R. Ambedkar, an Indian Dalit rights icon who died on Dec. 6, 1956.
“I’m emotional because this is the first time such an ordinance has been passed anywhere in the world outside of South Asia,” Yogesh Mane, a Seattle resident who grew up in India as a Dalit, or so-called “untouchable,” told the Associated Press. “It’s a historic moment.”
Thenmozhi Soundararajan, executive director of Equity Labs, a Dalit civil rights organization based in Oakland, California, said the passing of the ordinance served as a “powerful message that Dalit people are not alone.”
“The South Asian community has united to say we want to heal from the trauma of caste,” she added.
In a statement, Sawant explained that the ordinance would not single out one…
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