Res. No. 1723

Resolution calling on Congress to pass, and for the President to sign, the African Descent Affairs Act of 2021, H.R.1134, establishing a global affairs strategy to assist people of African descent.

By Council Members D. Diaz and Louis

Whereas, According to the United Nations (UN), there are around 200 million people living in the Americas who identify themselves as being of African descent; and

Whereas, As previously recognized by the UN while proclaiming 2015 - 2024 an international decade dedicated to people of African descent, there is a global need to promote and protect the human rights of people of African descent, including by bolstering inclusion policies and working to enable more prosperous communities; and

Whereas, As recently as December 2020, Michelle Bachelet, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, highlighted that people of African descent constitute some of the poorest and most marginalized groups across the world as the descendants of the victims of the transatlantic slave trade or as more recent migrants; and

Whereas, People of African descent face a variety of issues in New York City including barriers to access to quality education, health services, housing and social security; and

Whereas, People of African descent have long been central to the development of New York City, as highlighted by the African Burial Ground National Monument in lower Manhattan, a memorial that not only commemorates the cultural and geographical origins of the descendants of the 18th-century slave trade and free people of African descent in New York City, but also serves to underscore the history of slavery in New York City; and

Whereas, It is imperative for the world to proactively work towards ending discrimination against people of African descent, and redress historical injustices, which is not only a global challenge but one that is central to New York City’s commitment to human rights; and

Whereas, On February 18, 2021, Congressmember Alcee Hastings introduced the African Descent Affairs Act, H.R.1134, which directs policies, programs and funding in support of the advancement of people of African descent; and

Whereas, The African Descent Affairs Act would allocate federal funding to invest in solutions to combat racial discrimination and create opportunities for people of African descent; and

Whereas, H.R.1134 would also establish annual human rights reports that will inform strategies to prevent and respond to discrimination and violence against people of African descent; and

Whereas, The African Descent Affairs Act will further work to reverse the vestiges of history by facilitating equal protections and opportunities for people of African descent throughout society; and

Whereas, The African Descent Affairs Act presents a long overdue opportunity for people of African descent to reach equal participation in all aspects of society, including economic, social, cultural, civil and political rights; now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls on Congress to pass, and for the President to sign, the African Descent Affairs Act of 2021, H.R.1134, establishing a global affairs strategy to assist people of African descent.

LS #17569

06/02/2021

AH