To the Editor:
As the regional director of the Anti-Defamation League, I want to commend Mayor Espy and the Clarksdale Board of Commissioners for their passage of a broadly inclusive anti-discrimination ordinance.
Clarksdale joins Jackson and Magnolia as the third city in Mississippi to commit itself to inclusivity and acceptance and the importance of protecting all of its residents.
In this divisive time, where fear and frustration seem always so close to the surface, this non-discrimination ordinance is a strong message to all that Clarksdale stands with all of its residents, and that discrimination against anyone based upon their race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, marital status, and veteran status will not be tolerated.
Let this ordinance serve as a clarion call to other towns and cities in Mississippi to continue this effort, and help them strive to protect all residents of the state of Mississippi.
Let it stand as a sign that all residents of Mississippi have inherent worth, and that an inclusive, accepting society strengthens all of its members.
ADL congratulates Clarksdale, and honors all of those who have worked so hard and for so long for this acknowledgment and for this protection.
ADL encourages the rest of Mississippi to build on this important step.
Aaron Ahlquist
Metairie, La.
