More than 200 mayors pledge to vigorously fight bigotry, work to build tolerance in their cities

 ‘Mayors’ Compact to Combat Hate, Extremism and Bigotry’ calls for fully-resourced law enforcement and civil rights investigations of domestic terrorism and hate crimes

New York, NY/Washington, D.C., August 18, 2017 – The U.S. Conference of Mayors (USCM) and The Anti-Defamation League today announced a new joint plan to fight extremism and bigotry and promote justice and equality in response to the disturbing hate and violence seen in Charlottesville, Va. More than 240 mayors from across the country representing USCM so far have pledged to implement the plan.

USCM partnered with ADL to develop the 10-point Mayors’ Compact to Combat Hate, Extremism and Bigotry. Under the Compact, mayors commit to vigorously speak out against all acts of hate; punish bias-motivated violence to the fullest extent of the law; encourage more anti-bias and anti-hate education in schools and police forces, using ADL experts and resources for both; encourage community activities that celebrate their population’s cultural and ethnic diversity; and ensure civil rights laws are aggressively enforced and hate crimes laws are as strong as possible.

“Terrorism by white supremacists, like what took place in Charlottesville, is a clear and present danger to America’s cities,” said Austin Mayor Steve Adler. “Mayors are eager to join with the Anti-Defamation League to fight hate, and I’m honored that Mayor Landrieu asked me to help lead a coordinated campaign across this country to promote the Mayors’ Compact to Combat Hate, Extremism and Bigotry. Only the Statute of Liberty should be carrying a torch these days, and her message of respect must echo in America’s cities where this battle is being fought.”

“Charlottesville made clear that we have a lot more work to do in our communities and we can’t wait a minute longer to step up our efforts,” said Jonathan Greenblatt, ADL CEO and National Director.  “The U.S. Conference of Mayors deserves credit for their leadership. Mayors have always been strong supporters of civil rights and counterweights to those who discriminate. ADL could not have found a better partner to work with against hate.”

“What happened in Charlottesville last weekend reminds us all that violent hate and racism are very much alive in America in 2017,” said Tom Cochran, CEO and Executive Director of the U.S. Conference of Mayor. “For decades, America’s mayors have taken a strong position in support of civil rights and in opposition to racism and discrimination of all kinds. At this critical time mayors are doing so again through this compact in an effort to combat hate, extremism and bigotry in their cities and in our nation. The Compact released today builds off our Leadership for America: Mayors’ Agenda for the Future, adopted by The United States Conference of Mayors and released by New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu, President of The United States Conference of Mayors at our June 85th Annual Conference of Mayors in Miami Beach.”

“As mayors, we are the voice of our cities. It’s important for us to have a united voice in denouncing the hate that has been plaguing our nation,” said Columbia Mayor and USCM Vice President Steve Benjamin. “We often forget that our country, the UNITED States of America, is a nation of immigrants past and present. Our founding fathers created America based off of an ideal – that one nation, under God, would be indivisible with liberty and justice for all. An America that is the greatest democratic nation in the history of the world. We MUST remember that in this America, there is no room for hate. There is no room for injustice. There is no room for fear induced by divisiveness.”

“As leaders, we must stand up to hate and bigotry – and we must speak loudly and with conviction. In Louisville, we lean into honest conversations about race and, as a compassionate city, we have no room for hate or extremism”, said Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer.

“When white supremacists, bigots, and hateful extremists march in our streets with torches and swastikas, inflicting violence and spewing ignorant rhetoric, our core national values are under attack,” said Gresham Mayor Shane Bemis.  “America’s Mayors know first-hand how important it is for all of our neighbors to be included in our communities, and we stand together in our outrage over the recent events in Charlottesville, and anywhere this type of behavior occurs.”

“Even as we uphold and ensure free speech in our cities, as mayors we can never let hate go unchecked,” says Anaheim Mayor Tom Tait. “We must call out racial extremism for what is — provocation to divide and incite. Like cities across the nation, Anaheim draws strength in diversity and a culture of kindness. We are with all who peacefully stand against hate and intolerance.”

“The recent violent acts in Charlottesville create a strong awareness that while we have made great strides to combat bigotry and hatred, we must note these topics as priority on our agendas,” said Gary Mayor Karen Freeman-Wilson.  “We must remain vigilant in our own neighborhoods and cities to ensure these acts receive no air time, both figuratively and literally.  Our job is not only to condemn those sentiments that fly in the face of our democracy, it is to promote tolerance and love of all people and freedom and justice for all.”

List of Signatories

Mitch Landrieu, New Orleans, Louisiana, President, U.S Conference of Mayors

Steve Benjamin, Columbia, South Carolina, Vice President, U.S Conference of Mayors

Bryan K. Barnett, Rochester Hills, Michigan, Second Vice President, U.S Conference of Mayors

Steve Adler, Austin, Texas

William A. Bell Sr., Birmingham, Alabama

William ‘Sandy’ S. Stimpson, Mobile, Alabama

Ethan Berkowitz, Anchorage, Alaska

Coral Evans, Flagstaff, Arizona

Georgia Lord, Goodyear, Arizona

John Giles, Mesa, Arizona

Greg Stanton, Phoenix, Arizona

Mark W. Mitchell, Tempe, Arizona

Jonathan Rothschild, Tucson, Arizona

Lioneld Jordan, Fayetteville, Arkansas

Mark Stodola, Little Rock, Arkansas

Tom Tait, Anaheim, California

Liz Gibbons, Campbell, California

Mary Casillas Salas, Chula Vista, California

Jeffrey Cooper, Culver City, California

Katrina Foley, Costa Mesa, California

Savita Vaidhyanathan, Cupertino, California

Robb Davis, Davis, California

Catherine S. Blakespear, Encinitas, California

Acquanetta Warren, Fontana, California

Lily Mei, Fremont, California

Lee Brand, Fresno, California

Paula Perotte, Goleta, California

John P. Marchand, Livermore, California

Robert Garcia, Long Beach, California

Mary Prochnow, Los Altos, California

Eric Garcetti, Los Angeles, California

Rich Tran, Milpitas, California

Steve Tate, Morgan Hill, California

Ken S. Rosenberg, Mountain View, California

Jill Techel, Napa, California

Alan L. Nagy, Newark, California

Libby Schaaf, Oakland, California

Sue Higgins, Oakley, California

Steven W. Martin, Paso Robles, California

Donald Terry, Rancho Cordova, California

Darrell Steinberg, Sacramento, California

Edwin M. Lee, San Francisco, California

Sam Liccardo, San Jose, California

Pauline Russo Cutter, San Leandro, California

Heidi Harmon, San Luis Obispo, California

Helene Schneider, Santa Barbara, California

Ted Winterer, Santa Monica, California

Chris Coursey, Santa Rosa, California

Claudia Bill-de la Pena, Thousand Oaks, California

Patrick J. Furey, Torrance, California

Gary Soiseth, Turlock, California

Carol Dutra-Vernaci, Union City, California

John Heilman, West Hollywood, California

Christopher L. Cabaldon, West Sacramento, California

Angel Barajas, Woodland, California

Steve Hogan, Aurora, Colorado

Michael B. Hancock, Denver, Colorado

Tom Norton, Greeley, Colorado

Joe Ganim, Bridgeport, Connecticut

Marcia A. Leclerc, East Hartford, Connecticut

Harry Rilling, Norwalk, Connecticut

David Martin, Stamford, Connecticut

Shari Cantor, West Hartford, Connecticut

Edward M. O’Brien, West Haven, Connecticut

Mike Purzycki, Wilmington, Delaware

Muriel Bowser, Washington, District of Columbia

Joe Kilsheimer, Apopka, Florida

Enid Weisman, Aventura, Florida

Gabriel Groisman, Bal Harbour Village, Florida

Susan Haynie, Boca Raton, Florida

Marni L. Sawicki, Cape Coral, Florida

Judith ‘Judy’ Paul, Davie, Florida

Derrick L. Henry, Daytona Beach, Florida

Juan Carlos Bermudez, Doral, Florida

Julie Ward Bujalski, Dunedin, Florida

Randall P. Henderson Jr., Fort Myers, Florida

Joy Cooper, Hallandale Beach, Florida

  Josh Levy, Hollywood, Florida

Hazelle Rogers, Lauderdale Lakes, Florida

Richard J. Kaplan, Lauderhill, Florida

Philip Levine, Miami Beach, Florida

Oliver G. Gilbert III, Miami Gardens, Florida

Wayne M. Messam, Miramar, Florida

Bill Barnett, Naples, Florida

John Adornato III, Oakland Park, Florida

Buddy Dyer, Orlando, Florida

William Capote, Palm Bay, Florida

Milissa Holland, Palm Coast, Florida

Christine Hunschofsky, Parkland, Florida

Frank C. Ortis, Pembroke Pines, Florida

Ashton J. Hayward, Pensacola, Florida

Joseph M Corradino, Pinecrest, Florida

Gregory J. Oravec, Port St. Lucie, Florida

Rick Kriseman, St. Petersburg, Florida

Michael J. Ryan, Sunrise, Florida

Andrew D. Gillum, Tallahassee, Florida

Harry Dressler, Tamarac, Florida

Bob Buckhorn, Tampa, Florida

Geraldine  ‘Jeri’ Muoio Ph.D., West Palm Beach, Florida

Daniel J. Stermer, Weston, Florida

Kasim Reed, Atlanta, Georgia

Hardie Davis Jr., Augusta, Georgia

Michael Bodker, Johns Creek, Georgia

Kirk Caldwell, Honolulu, Hawaii

Rahm Emanuel, Chicago, Illinois

Kristina Kovarik, Gurnee, Illinois

Rodney S. Craig, Hanover Park,Illinois

Nancy Rodkin Rotering, Highland Park, Illinois

Chris Koos, Normal, Illinois

Thomas P. McNamara, Rockford, Illinois

John D. Noak, Romeoville ,Illinois

James O. Langfelder, Springfield, Illinois

John Hamilton, Bloomington, Indiana

James Brainard, Carmel, Indiana

Thomas ‘Tom’ C. Henry, Fort Wayne, Indiana

Karen M. Freeman-Wilson, Gary, Indiana

Joe Hogsett, Indianapolis, Indiana

Pete Buttigieg, South Bend, Indiana

T.M. ‘Frank’ Franklin Cownie, Des Moines, Iowa

Roy D. Buol, Dubuque, Iowa

Bob Andeweg, Urbandale, Iowa

Mark R. Holland, Kansas City, Kansas

Jeff Longwell, Wichita, Kansas

William May, Frankfort, Kentucky

Jim Gray, Lexington, Kentucky

Greg Fischer, Louisville, Kentucky

Sharon Weston Broome, Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Joe Baldacci, Bangor, Maine

Catherine E. Pugh, Baltimore, Maryland

Patrick L. Wojahn, College Park, Maryland

Jacob R. Day, Salisbury, Maryland

Jeffrey Z. Slavin, Somerset, Maryland

Martin J. Walsh, Boston, Massachusetts

Bill Carpenter, Brockton, Massachusetts

Carlo DeMaria Jr., Everett, Massachusetts

James J. Fiorentini, Haverhill, Massachusetts

Stephanie M. Burke, Medford, Massachusetts

Jon Mitchell, New Bedford, Massachusetts

Setti Warren, Newton, Massachusetts

Rosalynn Bliss, Grand Rapids, Michigan

Virgil ‘Virg’ Bernero, Lansing, Michigan

Steve Gawron, Muskegon, Michigan

William R. Wild, Westland, Michigan

Elizabeth B. Kautz, Burnsville, Minnesota

Nancy Tyra-Lukens, Eden Prairie, Minnesota

Betsy Hodges, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Ardell F. Brede, Rochester, Minnesota

Jake Spano, St. Louis Park, Minnesota

Chris Coleman, St. Paul, Minneosta

Errick D. Simmons, Greenville, Mississippi

Brian Treece, Columbia, Missouri

Eileen Weir, Independence, Missouri

Sylvester ‘Sly’ James Jr., Kansas City, Missouri

Lyda Krewson, St. Louis, Missouri

Chris Beutler, Lincoln, Nebraska

Debra March, Henderson, Nevada

Carolyn G. Goodman, Las Vegas, Nevada

Hillary Schieve, Reno, Nevada

Brad J. Cohen, East Brunswick, New Jersey

Christian Bollwage, Elizabeth, New Jersey

Alberto G. Santos, Kearny, New Jersey

Robert D. Jackson, Montclair, New Jersey

Ras J. Baraka, Newark, New Jersey

Francis ‘Mac’ Womack III, North Brunswick, New Jersey

Brian C. Wahler, Piscataway, New Jersey

Liz Lempert, Princeton, New Jersey

Sheena C. Collum, South Orange, New Jersey

Andy Skibitsky, Westfield, New Jersey

Richard J. Berry, Albuquerque, New Mexico

Kenneth D. Miyagishima, Las Cruces, New Mexico

Javier Gonzales, Santa Fe, New Mexico

Kathy M. Sheehan, Albany, New York

Byron W. Brown, Buffalo, New York

Noam Bramson, New Rochelle, New York

Bill de Blasio, New York, New York

Paul A. Dyster, Niagara Falls, New York

Lovely A. Warren, Rochester, New York

Stephanie A. Miner, Syracuse, New York

Lydia Lavelle, Carrboro, North Carolina

Jennifer W. Roberts, Charlotte, North Carolina

William ‘Bill’ V. Bell, Durham, North Carolina

Miles Atkins, Mooresville, North Carolina

Nancy McFarlane, Raleigh, North Carolina

James Allen Joines, Winston-Salem, North Carolina

Dan Horrigan, Akron, Ohio

John Cranley, Cincinnati, Ohio

Frank G. Jackson, Cleveland, Ohio

Andrew Ginther, Columbus, Ohio

Nan Whaley, Dayton, Ohio

Lydia L. Mihalik, Findlay, Ohio

David J. Berger, Lima, Ohio

Paula Hicks-Hudson, Toledo, Ohio

Kathy Cocuzzi, Westerville, Ohio

John A. McNally, Youngstown, Ohio

Mick Cornett, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Denny Doyle, Beaverton, Oregon

Shane T. Bemis, Gresham, Oregon

Ted Wheeler, Portland, Oregon

John L. Cook, Tigard, Oregon

Ed Pawlowski, Allentown, Pennsylvania

Robert Donchez, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania

Salvatore J. Panto Jr., Easton, Pennsylvania

Eric Papenfuse, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania

Jim Kenney, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

William Peduto, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

  1. Kim Bracey, York, Pennsylvania

Edwin García Feliciano, Camuy, Puerto Rico

Jorge O. Elorza, Providence, Rhode Island

John J. Tecklenburg, Charleston, South Carolina

Steve Benjamin, Columbia, South Carolina

Kim McMillan, Clarksville, Tennessee

Madeline Anne Rogero, Knoxville, Tennessee

Jim Strickland, Memphis, Tennessee

Megan Barry, Nashville, Tennessee

Karl Mooney, College Station, Texas

Mike Rawlings, Dallas, Texas

Chris Watts, Denton, Texas

Betsy Price, Fort Worth, Texas

Sylvester Turner, Houston, Texas

Harry LaRosiliere, Plano, Texas

Ron Nirenberg, San Antonio, Texas

Jackie Biskupski, Salt Lake City, Utah

Allison Silberberg, Alexandria, Virginia

Mike Signer, Charlottesville, Virginia

McKinley L. Price DDS, Newport News, Virginia

Levar Stoney, Richmond, Virginia

Nancy Backus, Auburn, Washington

Dave Earling, Edmonds, Washington

Ray Stephanson, Everett, Washington

Cheryl L. Selby, Olympia, Washington

Glenn A. Johnson, Pullman, Washington

John Marchione, Redmond, Washington

Ed Murray, Seattle, Washington

Chris Roberts, Shoreline, Washington

Marilyn Strickland, Tacoma, Washington

Deb Lewis, Ashland, Wisconsin

James J. Schmitt, Green Bay, Wisconsin

Tim Kabat, La Crosse, Wisconsin

Paul R. Soglin, Madison, Wisconsin

Thomas ‘Tom’ Barrett, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Zachary J. Vruwink, Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin

About ADL

The Anti-Defamation League was founded in 1913 to stop the defamation of the Jewish people and to secure justice and fair treatment to all.  Today it is the world’s leading organization combating anti-Semitism, exposing hate groups, training law enforcement on hate crimes, developing anti-bias curricula for students, countering cyber-hate and relentlessly pursuing equal rights for all. Follow us on Twitter @ADL_National and visit us at adl.org.