San Antonio: Resolution Declaring Racism A Public Health Crisis Clears Committee Review

Press release from the City of San Antonio:

August 7, 2020

SAN ANTONIO (August 7, 2020) — The City Council’s Committee on Community Health & Equity met today and discussed a resolution “declaring racism a public health crisis and to establish stronger efforts to promote racial equity in San Antonio.” The committee voted to send the resolution to a meeting of the full City Council for a vote.

"As we strive to speak to the heart of equity and inclusion, taking this crucial step in declaring Racism As A Public Health Crisis is of extreme importance,” said Councilwoman Jada Andrews-Sullivan. “The resolution was drafted through community, city council & city departments/staff input. This is a time and shift in how we educate, uplift and place value of life over the skin we're in. This is not just a worded document but an action item for our city.”

“The legacy of racism did not end with the 13th Amendment or the Voting Rights Act. It’s a legacy that’s been passed on through generations and continues to shape our residents' lives and their health outcomes today,” said Councilwoman Sandoval, chair of the Community Health & Equity meeting. “If we cannot say racism is a public health crisis, then we cannot fix it.”

“When the community asks for action, we’re not asking just for ourselves, but for our children and our children’s children,” said Jourdyn Parks, an organizer with Reliable Revolutionaries. “Seeing that it’s taken this long to get the momentum going, we can’t let this moment slip by.”

Ms. Parks added, “I appreciate the committee’s action today. I’m anxious and excited to see this resolution get adopted and see the solutions it generates.”

The resolution will get tweaked before it goes to the full City Council based on council feedback at today’s meeting.

This press release was produced by the City of San Antonio. The views expressed here are the author’s own.