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</div><span style="display: block; font-family: Impact,Charcoal,sans-serif; font-size: 150%; text-align: center">Pittsburgh Human Rights City Alliance<span style="display: block; text-align: center">Dignity & Justice for All of us</span></span><span style="display: block; font-family: Impact,Charcoal,sans-serif; font-size: 150%; text-align: center">''<span style="display: block; text-align: center">"Human rights don't trickle down...they RISE UP!"</span>''<br /> </span><br /> ''Pittsburgh Human Rights City Alliance works to bring together diverse groups and individuals to help envision and realize a city that maximizes human rights and dignity for all people who live in our region. We work with local struggles to implement [https://www.ajamubaraka.com/peoplecentered-human-rights-as-a-framework-for-social-transformation ''people-centered human rights''] in Pittsburgh.''<br />  
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</div><span style="display: block; font-family: Impact,Charcoal,sans-serif; font-size: 150%; text-align: center">Pittsburgh Human Rights City Alliance<span style="display: block; text-align: center">Dignity & Justice for All of Us</span></span><span style="display: block; font-family: Impact,Charcoal,sans-serif; font-size: 150%; text-align: center">''<span style="display: block; text-align: center">"Human rights don't trickle down...they RISE UP!"</span>''<br /> </span>
  
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*[[About the Pittsburgh Human Rights City Alliance]]
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=About Us=
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*[http://wiki.pghrights.mayfirst.org/index.php?title=Steering_Committee Pittsburgh Human Rights City Alliance Steering Committee]
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<div style="text-align: left">
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'''Pittsburgh Human Rights City Alliance''' works to bring together diverse groups and individuals to encourage the realization of our City Council's 2011 [https://pittsburgh.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=874003&GUID=EB31A893-F2F4-41DC-94FB-DAF1CB2DB0A2&Options=&Search= Proclamation declaring Pittsburgh a "human rights city"]. We strive to foster a human rights culture that maximizes human rights and dignity for all people who live in our region [http://wiki.pghrights.mayfirst.org/images/6/6a/Human_Rights_City_Principles_October_2017.pdf (See Human Rights Cities Principles)]. We help network leading community organizations and concerned residents to advance [https://www.ajamubaraka.com/peoplecentered-human-rights-as-a-framework-for-social-transformation ''people-centered human rights''] in Pittsburgh.'' We cannot wait for leaders in Washington to protect our basic rights! It takes engaged and creative efforts of community residents to "bring human rights home"!
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<br />
  
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*[[About the Pittsburgh Human Rights City Alliance]]
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*[[Coordinating Committee]]
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*[http://wiki.pghrights.mayfirst.org/index.php?title=Steering_Committee Advisory Board].
  
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* <big>'''[https://lists.mayfirst.org/mailman/listinfo/pghrights Join the Human Rights City Alliance email list for updates on events & action opportunities]'''</big>
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=Ways to Get Involved=
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<big>'''Subscribe'''</big><br>
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:'''[https://lists.mayfirst.org/mailman/listinfo/pghrights Subscribe to our newsletter]'''for updates on events & action opportunities!
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:'''[[University Human Rights Working Group]]''': Faculty members, staff and graduate students can [https://lists.mayfirst.org/mailman/listinfo/pghrights_university '''subscribe here'''].
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:Follow us on [https://www.facebook.com/groups/pghrights '''Facebook'''] and [https://www.instagram.com/pghrights/ '''Instagram''']
  
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=Latest Updates=
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<big>'''Join a Working Group'''</big><br>--Working groups meet regularly to develop projects on specific issues. Everyone is welcome to attend & learn about local human rights issues and find ways to get involved! Current working groups include: <br>
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*World Human Rights Day, December 10, 2019: [http://wiki.pghrights.mayfirst.org/images/f/f2/Human_Rights_Day_2019_Media_advisory.pdf <big>'''Media Advisory: Pittsburgh joins other cities recognizing International Human Rights Day & highlights persistent challenge of racial inequities'''</big>]
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::*[[Housing Rights]]
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::*[[Community Safety & Policing]]
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::*[[Communications, Education and Outreach]]
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::*[[Policy, Legislation, & Governance (PLuG)]]
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:'''For more information, meeting times and links,''' please contact Maddy McGrady at madeline@theglobalswitchboard.org
  
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*'''Campaign for Reparations''': Building a human rights city requires efforts to remedy past injustices and ensure that all residents have equitable opportunities to thrive. The [https://www.un.org/en/events/africandescentdecade/ International Decade on People of African Descent (2015-2024)] and the [http://www.400yearsofinequality.org/ 400th anniversary of the first auction of enslaved Africans in North America] provides an opportunity for renewing conversations about how we can address persistent inequities resulting from the United States's brutal history of slavery and genocide against indigenous peoples. [[Reparations Resource Guide]]
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=Calendar=
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<big>'''Immigrants Are Our Neighbors: Building Inclusive Communities for All '''</big><br>
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:'''Wednesday, October 30th, 5:30-7:30pm,''' Hill District Community Engagement Center, Room 204 (1908 Wylie Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15219)
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:Please join us for a conversation with members of our local immigrant communities to discuss the implications of policy, rhetoric, and community support for immigrant rights and human rights for all. Learn how immigrant communities are being affected by the contemporary political climate and how we can work together to foster a City that values and supports all of its residents to live with dignity and justice, including its immigrant and refugee communities. This community forum will shape our local advocacy and inform a report for the United Nations Universal Periodic Review (UPR) of human rights in the United States.This meeting is part of a series of community forums on human rights to help build awareness and strengthen our collective work to bring human rights home.
  
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=Bringing Human Rights Home=
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<big>'''Housing is a Human Right: Advancing a Human Rights-Based Housing Strategy for our Region'''</big><br>
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</big>*'''[[UPR Pittsburgh]] Bringing Global Human Rights Home: Pittsburgh's Human Rights Assessment & the United Nations'''</big>
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:'''Saturday, November 9th, 10:30am-12:30pm,''' East Liberty Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, Meeting Room 3 (130 S Whitfield St, Pittsburgh, PA 15206)
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Together with human rights defenders around the country, Pittsburgh residents are working to bring the stories and accounts of human rights conditions in our region to the United Nations through the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) process. Over 2019-2020, the United States human rights record will be reviewed by international representatives and human rights experts, and the UN will issue a formal report with recommendations to the US government for improving respect for the country's international human rights obligations. A key to the UPR's effectiveness is engagement from civil society, and we're working to provide opportunities for residents to learn about human rights and the UPR process as we generate ideas for how we can make Pittsburgh and Southwest PA places where human rights thrive.  
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:The human right to housing is well established in international law, yet many residents in our region suffer from housing insecurity, poor quality housing, and homelessness. How can we work together to promote and protect housing as a human right? How can international human rights law be a resource to advance work for housing rights in our city? This community forum will shape our local advocacy and inform a report for the United Nations Universal Periodic Review (UPR) of human rights in the United States. Come learn about current housing rights issues in our region and how we can build local solutions and use international law to strengthen our efforts. This meeting is part of a series of community forums on human rights to help build awareness and strengthen our collective work to bring human rights home.
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*Please help us send a delegation of Pittsburgh human rights defenders to lobby UN officials in New York, Washington DC, and Geneva to bring our human rights priorities and recommendations into the official proceedings of the US Universal Periodic Review. '''[https://secure.everyaction.com/sKaEMuNwOUa_xxjt7AjSxQ2 We need you to help support this delegation with your donation!''']
 
  
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*For more details see [[UPR Pittsburgh]]
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=Current Work=
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The Human Rights City Alliance helps build alliances among individuals and groups in our area supporting human rights for all. We support local engagement in national and international human rights advocacy, and participate in UN human rights reviews of U.S. policies.
  
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</br>
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We are currently involved in the '''[https://www.ohchr.org/en/hr-bodies/upr/upr-home United Nations Universal Periodic Review of the U.S. government]''' and will be hosting a series of related community forums. See our [[Reports to UN Human Rights Bodies]], submitted as part of the global work to improve compliance with international human rights law.
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'''Pittsburgh Activists File Report to UN on State of Human Rights in Region'''  
 
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*[http://wiki.pghrights.mayfirst.org/images/8/85/UPR_Pittsburgh_Stakeholder_Report_With_Exec_Summary.pdf Racial Inequity at the Core of Human Rights Challenges in Pittsburgh] -Full Pittsburgh Stakeholder Report to United Nations Universal Periodic Review of the U.S. Government, [http://wiki.pghrights.mayfirst.org/images/5/54/Media_Release_UPR_Pittsburgh_2019.pdf 2-Page Summary]
 
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*[http://wiki.humanrightscities.mayfirst.org/images/4/49/UPR_US_Cities_Stakeholder_Report_2019_Final_Submission_with_summary.pdf Pittsburgh joins other US Cities in UN Report: ''"Corporate Influence Threatens Human Rights in Communities Nationwide"''] (''*For more details on the national campaign see [http://wiki.humanrightscities.mayfirst.org/index.php?title=UPR_Cities_Project UPR Cities Initiative]).''
 
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**See more details at: [[UPR Pittsburgh]]
 
  
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</Big>'''[http://wiki.pghrights.mayfirst.org/images/8/8d/Zero_Evictions_Proclamation_Final_October_2019.pdf Pittsburgh City Council Passes Zero Evictions Proclamation in Solidarity with Global Movement for Housing Justice]</big>
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'''Working Groups'''
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*In response to the International Alliance of Inhabitants call for Zero Evictions Days in October, we're working to raise consciousness and build political will for new approaches to advance housing as a human right, not a commodity. We will be working to mobilize community support for the human right to housing & an end to unjust evictions and housing insecurity!
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Our current working groups focus on the following issue areas, and they are shaped by efforts of volunteers like you!
  
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<big>'''Housing Rights & Justice'''</big><br>
  
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==='''Calendar'''=== 
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HRCA is an active member of the [https://pittsburghunited.org/housing/ '''Pittsburgh Housing Justice Table'''], a coalition of allied local organizations and independent advocates who believe that housing is a human right and that everyone should have access to the housing they need. Our Housing Rights Working Group supports the work of the Housing Justice Table through related events, education and advocacy efforts.  
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*'''Saturday, December 21 12:00-3:00PM,''' Community Meeting: Building a Reparations Commission for Blacks within the City of Pittsburgh. Carnegie Library Lawrenceville, 279 Fisk Street. Sponsored by: [https://campaign4reparationsandselfdetermination.wordpress.com/ Campaign for Reparations & Black Self-Determination]
 
  
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*'''Saturday, January 25''' '''[http://pittsburghracialjusticesummit.org/ Pittsburgh 22nd Annual Racial Justice Summit]'''- ''Decolonize our Histories to Reclaim our Humanity''. Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, 616 N Highland Ave., 15206. [http://pittsburghracialjusticesummit.org/ More information & details on submitting panel or workshop proposals]. '''Our Workshop''': ''Bringing Reparations Claims to the United Nations/World Court of Human Rights''. (Time TBD)
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Through community engagement and conversations with Housing Justice Table coalition partners, HRCA developed '''[http://wiki.pghrights.mayfirst.org/images/d/de/Human_Rights_Housing_Strategy_and_Action_Plan_Discussion_Draft_April_2023.pdf A Human Rights-based Housing Strategy and Action Plan for Pittsburgh, PA]''' which serves as a guiding document for our housing advocacy. We want our goals and strategy to reflect the needs and perspectives of our community, which is why we invite residents to review the document and share input with us so that we can strengthen it. Send your comments to hrca@theglobalswitchboard.org or join us for our next working group meeting!
  
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====Other meetings====
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You can learn more about the history behind our research and strategy conversations by reviewing our resource page, [http://wiki.pghrights.mayfirst.org/index.php?title=Pittsburgh_Human_Rights_Housing_Strategy '''Building Pittsburgh's Human Rights Housing Strategy''']
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*'''[https://pittsburghpa.gov/gec/index.html Pittsburgh's Gender Equity Commission]''' Monthly public meetings-3rd Tuesdays each month, 2:30-4:30PM in the City-County building 414 Grant St., downtown Pittsburgh [https://pittsburghpa.us17.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=2d1cea9d28ec87304eaf0e825&id=f2fbc5dba8 Subscribe to Gender Commission newsletter]
 
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*'''[https://campaign4reparationsandselfdetermination.wordpress.com/ Peoples Campaign for Reparations and Black Self-Determination]'''- Is hosting a series of community forums on this theme to help organize and build a Reparations Commission for Black residents of Pittsburgh. For more information visit [https://campaign4reparationsandselfdetermination.wordpress.com/  campaign4reparationsandselfdetermination.wordpress.com/]
 
  
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*'''[https://www.pittsburghforpublictransit.org/ Pittsburghers for Public Transit]''' second Wednesday of each month at 7pm at 1 Smithfield Street (Pittsburgh Human Services Building) downtown.
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'''Relevant Events & Actions'''<br>
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*'''[https://pennplaza.wordpress.com/ Penn Plaza Support and Action Coalition]''' every Monday, 6:00PM, 115 Beatty St. East Liberty.
 
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*'''[https://www.facebook.com/PghLandlessPeople/ Pittsburgh Union of Regional Renters]''', (412) 908-1603. First Saturdays 1pm 1 Smithfield Street (Pittsburgh Human Services Building) downtown
 
  
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=='''Housing Justice'''==
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*(April 4-7, 2022), '''Leilani Farha, the former [https://www.ohchr.org/en/issues/housing/pages/housingindex.aspx UN Special Rapporteur on the Human Right to Adequate Housing], visits Pittsburgh.''' Check out our [http://wiki.pghrights.mayfirst.org/images/b/b6/Farha_visit_follow_up_recap.pdf visit summary] highlighting insights and recommendations from our discussions with Ms. Farha, who now leads global housing rights organization, [https://make-the-shift.org/ The Shift]. Here you’ll also find helpful links to learning resources and legal tools to help us advance housing as a human right. [http://wiki.pghrights.mayfirst.org/images/b/b6/Farha_visit_follow_up_recap.pdf (Download report PDF)]
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*'''[http://wiki.humanrightscities.mayfirst.org/index.php?title=Housing_is_a_Human_Right! Housing is a Human Right-Letter to Officials]''' The UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Adequate Housing, Leilani Farha, recently directed letters to governments and corporate leaders around the world, pointing out how prevailing policies violate international human rights obligations. This page has details and a template for contacting your local leaders to remind them of their international legal obligations.  
 
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*'''[[Housing Justice Pittsburgh]]''' Building community power to fight displacement and promote our "Right to the City."
 
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*[http://housingsummitpgh.org/ Housing Summit 2018] Area organizations are working together to build a broad alliance for affordable housing in our region. Mark your calendars for our '''November 10, 2018 Housing Summit''', and watch for a series of events and activities aimed to develop new strategies for addressing Pittsburgh's housing crisis.
 
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*[[:file:Housing_as_a_Human_Right.pdf|Housing is a Human Right: Slideshow]]''' on international treaties and opportunities to promote the [[:file:Housing_as_a_Human_Right.pdf|human right to housing]]<br /> <span style="display: block; text-align: center"><br /> </span>
 
  
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*[[Forums on Amazon HQ2 and the Right to the City|Forged for All? the Amazon HQ2 Debate & the Future of Pittsburgh]]
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<big>'''Racial Equity & Justice'''</big><br>
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Learn more about how Amazon's bid to move to Pittsburgh would affect human rights here. Resources, data, and recordings of community forums.
 
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*View '''community forums''' on the question of how an Amazon HQ2 would impact us:
 
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**'''"[https://www.facebook.com/publicsource/videos/1888885241131365/ Pittsburgh's Economic Revitalization: Technology, Corporate Power, and Democratic Accountability" ]
 
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**''''''[https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fplugins%2Fvideo.php%3Fhref%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.facebook.com%252Fpublicsource%252Fvideos%252F1832226540130569%252F%26show_text%3D1%26width%3D560&data=01%7C01%7Cjgsmith%40pitt.edu%7C285d692e67d74ca6d38808d570e484ff%7C32794bf9854a4224a8c3408a105aeea1%7C1&sdata=K3KoWuvRO13YbyHrmYJ7bCXvakY2hWVRmgHffx%2BbrPI%3D&reserved=0 Human Rights, the Right to the City, and Amazon HQ2: Forged for all?]'''
 
  
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HRCA is active as part of a broad coalition of community members and organizations committed to ending and redressing long-standing racial inequalities, inequities, and discrimination in the Pittsburgh region and beyond, recognizing that [https://migrationnetwork.un.org/statements/freedom-racial-discrimination-right-not-privilege Freedom from Racial Discrimination is a Right, Not a Privilege].
  
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===[http://wiki.humanrightscities.mayfirst.org/index.php?title=International_Human_Rights_Monitoring International Human Rights Monitoring]===
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This work includes raising awareness of the U.S. government's ''legal obligation'' to address racial discrimination under international law. For example, the U.S. ratified the [https://www.ohchr.org/en/instruments-mechanisms/instruments/international-convention-elimination-all-forms-racial International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (CERD)] in 1994 and has thus legally agreed to comply with and implement its requirements.
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This page links to work by national and international human rights organizers to use international treaties and United Nations human rights review processes to hold local and national officials in the United States accountable to our international human rights obligations.
 
  
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'''Recent events & actions:'''<br>
  
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===News & Updates===
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* (November 2023) HRCA members prepared an '''[http://wiki.pghrights.mayfirst.org/images/c/ce/EMLER_2023_Report_Executive_Summary_%281%29_%28002%29.pdf Executive Summary of the UN Expert Mechanism's Report on Racial Discrimination in Law Enforcement]''' for local elected officials to raise awareness of the UN's investigation, conclusions, and recommendations following its U.S. Country Visit in April & May 2023.   
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*'''UN Official Confronts Governments and Corporations on Housing Rights''': Recently, the [https://www.ohchr.org/EN/Issues/Housing/Pages/HousingIndex.aspx UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Adequate Housing], Leilani Farha held a press conference in Copenhagen to speak about letters released (see links below) to governments and corporations around the world including the United States and the Blackstone Group L.P. Ms. Farha spoke out directly against policies and laws which support housing as a commodity. In the letters to various governments, Ms. Farha stated that these policies and laws contradict governments’ international human rights obligations. Letters: [[:File:March_2019_Housing_UN_Rapp_USLetter_Financialization.pdf|UN Special Rapporteur Letter to US Government On Housing Policies as Human Rights Violations]], [https://www.ohchr.org/Documents/Issues/Housing/Financialization/OL_OTH_17_2019.pdf Letter to Blackstone Investment Corporation], [https://www.ohchr.org/Documents/Issues/Housing/Financialization/Reply_OL_OTH_17_2019.pdf Blackstone's response]. '''Campaign links''' [http://www.unhousingrapp.org/the-shift #MaketheShift] '''#HousingisaHumanRight'''!
 
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**'''We're working to get this message to Mayor Peduto and other public officials''': If your organization wants to sign this [[:file:Cover_Letter_PGH_Special_Rap_Letter_on_Housing_and_Human_Rigths_March_2019.pdf|*letter to public officials*]] please contact us at pghrights[at]riseup[dot]net or via Facebook PGHrights.  For more details see '''[http://wiki.humanrightscities.mayfirst.org/index.php?title=Housing_is_a_Human_Right! Housing is a Human Right!]'''
 
  
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*'''Pittsburgh’s [http://pittsburghunited.org/ourwater/ Our Water Campaign] goes Global:''' The current issue of the Open Access [http://jwsr.pitt.edu/ojs/index.php/jwsr ''Journal of World-Systems Research''] features a symposium on the problem of corporate power and its implications for local democracy. This project was inspired by the recent inter-city competition to host the Amazon 2nd headquarters. See: [http://jwsr.pitt.edu/ojs/index.php/jwsr/article/view/899 "Water is a Human Right! Grassroots Resistance to Corporate Power!"] (by local water activist Caitlin Schroering).
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*(October 2023) HRCA organized a panel discussion of UN recommendations to end racially discriminatory policing and uphold human rights in the context of law enforcement. ''Event Panelists:'' Brandi Fisher (Alliance for Police Accountability), Tanisha Long (Abolitionist Law Center), Muhammad Ali Nasir (MAN-E) (1Hood Media), Laura Perkins (Casa San Jose). Read the UN reports: '''[https://www.ohchr.org/en/documents/country-reports/ahrc54crp7-international-independent-expert-mechanism-advance-racial U.S. Country Visit 2023]''' & '''[https://www.ohchr.org/en/documents/thematic-reports/ahrc5469-promotion-and-protection-human-rights-and-fundamental-freedoms Reimagining Policing 2023]'''. Event recording: '''[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mln3pO5otIg UN Report Condemns Racial Discrimination in U.S. Law Enforcement: How does this relate to Southwest PA?]'''
  
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*[http://pgh4cedaw.org/the-ngo-committee-on-the-status-of-women-new-york-is-proud-to-announce-mayor-william-peduto-2019-recipient-cities-for-cedaw-global-leadership-award/ '''Pittsburgh for CEDAW Coalition helps bring Pittsburgh Human Rights Recognition'''] In March 2019, the NGO Committee on the Status of Women/New York awarded Mayor Peduto the '''Cities for CEDAW Global Leadership Award''' for his work to implement sustaining policies which eliminate all forms of discrimination against women at the local level. This award would not have been possible without all the hard work of [http://pgh4cedaw.org/ PGH for CEDAW Coalition] members to push for the CEDAW ordinance and to design policy recommendations that would ensure its effective implementation.
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*(April 2023) HRCA joined the Alliance for Police Accountability and other advocates in submitting a report on policing and racial discrimination in Pittsburgh and Allegheny County to the UN's [https://www.ohchr.org/en/hrc-subsidiaries/expert-mechanism-racial-justice-law-enforcement International Independent Expert Mechanism to Advance Racial Justice and Equality in the context of Law Enforcement] (EMLER) ahead of its visit to the US from April 24 to May 5, 2023. (Full report: '''[http://wiki.pghrights.mayfirst.org/images/e/ec/PGH_Report_on_Policing_to_UN_2023_BEST.pdf Treatment of People of African Descent by Law Enforcement Agencies in Pittsburgh and Allegheny County]''', Press release: '''[http://wiki.pghrights.mayfirst.org/images/0/0e/Press_Release_Pittsburgh_EMLER_Submission_2023.pdf Local Advocates File Report on Police Discrimination in Allegheny County to UN Fact-Finding Body on Law Enforcement and Racial Justice]''')
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*[[:file:Housing_Justice_Meeting_Summary_March_2019.pdf|Summary of lessons from Housing Justice Movement-Building work 2016-2019]] This document provides a synthesis of ideas from conversations about how to advance the human right to housing and challenge market-oriented policies that continue to displace residents. ‎
 
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*''Print'' [[:file:Media_Print_coverage_of_Racial_Justice_Summit_2019.pdf|Media coverage of Racial Justice Summit]]- This report highlights our breakout session at the 2019 Summit, "Building an Intersectional Movement for Housing Justice"
 
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*Pittsburgh City Council and Mayor Peduto [[:File:Human_Rights_Day_2018_Proclamation_for_Human_Rights_Final_Edit.pdf|re-affirm their commitment to human rights]] at the 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. ([[:file:Human_Rights_Day_2018_Press_Release_Final.pdf|See Press Release December 10]])
 
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* '''[[:file:Annual_Report_2017.pdf|Annual Report 2017]]''' --See what we accomplished last year!
 
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* '''[[National Human Rights Cities Alliance Workshop 2018, Washington DC]]'''
 
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<br />
 
  
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'''[http://wiki.pghrights.mayfirst.org/index.php?title=Human_Rights_Budgeting_Resource_Page Human Rights Budgeting-Ideas and Resources for transforming how our city plans]''': This page shares links and background resources about how activists around the world are working to change the scripts of local politics to prioritize human rights over economic measures of progress. We believe that urban planning and development should be explicit in its attention to human rights and equity. More democratic budgeting processes are key to making this happen, and that means we all need to learn more about how city budgeting works and how it could be re-organized to engage more of the people who live in our region.
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*(November 2022) HRCA assisted to facilitate a listening session with Justin Hansford, Professor of Law at Howard University School of Law and an elected founding member of the [https://www.ohchr.org/en/permanent-forum-people-african-descent UN Permanent Forum on People of African Descent]. For more details, review our summary [http://wiki.pghrights.mayfirst.org/images/d/de/Summary_document_of_Taking_Back_Our_Human_Rights_Event_EDITED.pdf '''Taking Back Our Human Rights: Black Pittsburgh's Appeal to the World'''] and our '''[http://wiki.pghrights.mayfirst.org/index.php?title=Taking_Back_our_Human_Rights!_Building_a_Black_Regional_Agenda_for_Justice background page]''' for the event.
  
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=='''Take Action:'''</span><br /> ==
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*(July 2022) HRCA prepared and submitted a Shadow Report to the United Nations CERD Committee (Full report: '''[https://tbinternet.ohchr.org/_layouts/15/treatybodyexternal/Download.aspx?symbolno=INT%2fCERD%2fNGO%2fUSA%2f49212&Lang=en Racial Discrimination & Equity in the United States: Evidence from Pittsburgh]''', Summary report: [http://wiki.pghrights.mayfirst.org/images/4/44/CERD_Pittsburgh_2_Page_Summary_2022.pdf '''Summary Document'''])
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* <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif">[https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/stop-secret-corporate-giveaways?source=direct_link Stop Corporate Givaways--Sign the petition ]to city for transparency and accountability in deal offered to Amazon for its 2nd headquarters.</span>
 
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* '''[https://www.facebook.com/events/1498208200258725/?acontext=%7B%22ref%22%3A%223%22%2C%22ref_newsfeed_story_type%22%3A%22regular%22%2C%22feed_story_type%22%3A%22361%22%2C%22action_history%22%3A%22null%22%7D  Stop Plan to Increase Policing on Public Transit]'''
 
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* [[Communication Justice Initiative]]
 
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* [https://pghcommons.wikispaces.com/ Community Power Movement ]Among other work, the Community Power Movement is promoting a [https://pghcommons.wikispaces.com/People%27s%20Platform People's Platform ]and a petition campaign calling for greater transparency and community benefits in the City's bid to host the Amazon HQ2.
 
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<br /> '''''Regularly scheduled meetings/ Local Human Rights Groups'''''<br />  
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<big>'''Creating a Human Rights City'''</big><br>
  
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*'''[http://click.actionnetwork.org/mpss/c/EwE/ni0YAA/t.2ju/MZ5FhIuJRE6M67H8FS-nNA/h9/HE2UYZIDTZxfLuJ8qHDFiKcv9QeqMGLDJ3IrF8dj2B0Ouaw60AzJFHptdkvL7obNLtnqgKKygqGEz3GCaeb-2BejuSAvFe0lbbqDJcgXFmWtC-2F4OP5qFbK1yfFG5UZArja2rUcMykgMb7gDAlR3CoVTHq6R-2FV3WJuza27KcDVxiFAlu29p38dyAwSXFqBiE3cOCcz9NcUAg0RigmMyBPSsscV4-2BQ50OH6U-2BkjQJd28KcGH1MVKcVF9PH8aO64hDVT8AP6b8SGbKGTAB5AMbdr6pQjaBb55-2BObu-2B7JHVkIiF2upX6rAikS6G9RBQnNgtSKqz-2BoAT7bD82SwYBAfhxnNjbaJ7k5a3JxIivx-2BEJkPkNo-3D| Landless People's Alliance Monthly Gathering]''', Wednesdays at 5:30-7:00PM --Sept. 26, Oct. 31, November 28 –Location: Postal Workers Headquarters 841 California Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15202-2705
+
In 2011, the City of Pittsburgh issued a [http://wiki.pghrights.mayfirst.org/images/6/6e/Pittsburgh_Human_Rights_City_Resolution.pdf Proclamation] declaring Pittsburgh the 5th Human Rights City in the U.S.. While this represents a step in the right direction, much work remains to strengthen and actually realize the City's commitment and to create a City in which everyone can thrive. We’re drawing from examples in other cities such as Atlanta to bring stronger human rights commitments along with processes for monitoring and setting targets for advancing equity and protecting the rights of all residents.  
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** [http://apapgh.org/ Every first Wednesday of month: Alliance for Police Accountability ] 6:30-8:00PM Kingsley Association, 6435 Frankstown Ave. Pgh 15206 (Childcare and food provided)
 
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** <span style="font-family: &#39;Times New Roman&#39;,serif; font-size: 16px">'''Every 3rd Thursday''' 7:00-8:30PM [http://pgh4cedaw.org/ Pittsburgh for CEDAW ](Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women) meeting, Friends Meeting House, 4836 Ellsworth Ave. Everyone is welcome.</span>
 
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<br /> <br /> '''<u>Alerts & Updates</u>'''<br />
 
  
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* '''[https://www.facebook.com/events/1498208200258725/?acontext=%7B%22ref%22%3A%223%22%2C%22ref_newsfeed_story_type%22%3A%22regular%22%2C%22feed_story_type%22%3A%22361%22%2C%22action_history%22%3A%22null%22%7D Campaign to Stop Plan to Increase Policing on Public Transit]--''' This campaign led by the Alliance for Police Accountability, Casa San Jose, Pittsburghers for Public Transit, and the Thomas Merton Center warns that the Port Authority's planned fare enforcement policy will unfairly impact communities of color, increase the problematic trend of criminalizing young people, and threaten immigrant residents.The campaign is calling for civilian fare enforcers rather than armed Port Authority Police and a citation process rather than a criminal process to deal with fare evasion ([[:file:Policing_on_the_T_QA.pdf|See FAQs for more information]]). Community organizations and individuals are asked to write letters to the Port Authority in support of this campaign (see [[:file:POLICING_THE_T_PPT_and_others_letter_to_Port_Authority 4.28.17.pdf|sample letter]]).
+
'''Relevant Documents'''<br>
−
* '''[http://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2017/01/25/Pittsburgh-Public-Schools-declares-itself-sanctuary-campus/stories/201701250214 PIttsburgh Public Schools Passes Sanctuary Resolution]'''
 
−
* '''[http://www.pgh4cedaw.org Pittsburgh becomes 6th US City for CEDAW ]'''A broad coalition of human rights advocates helped advance a new ordinance enacting the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women in our City, December 6, 2016. Stay involved in the work to carry out this commitment to better address needs of women and girls, families and communities in our city! <span style="color: #000000; font-family: &#39;Calibri&#39;,sans-serif; font-size: 14.6667px">[https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pgh4cedaw.org&data=01%7C01%7Cjgsmith%40pitt.edu%7C01ee08d58eb34901cf2408d427ad5b47%7C9ef9f489e0a04eeb87cc3a526112fd0d%7C1&sdata=Oc3A4G1M0HM6yjFoRkFliRnFnqW45wfHbTtzsfz0kyc%3D&reserved=0 www.pgh4cedaw.org] </span>
 
−
<br /> '''University-Based Projects'''<br />  
 
  
−
* '''''Pittsburgh area university'' faculty, staff, and graduate students''' are invited to join the [[University Human Rights Network|University Human Rights Network. ]]We invite volunteers from different campuses to help support work on your campus and coordinate with other campuses.
+
*[http://wiki.pghrights.mayfirst.org/images/5/5b/Draft_Resolution_Pittsburgh_2023_HR_City_Update_Discussion_ver.pdf Draft Resolution to Renew and Update Pittsburgh’s Human Rights City Status]
−
* [[Pitt Human Rights Initiative|Pitt Human Rights Initiative]]
 
−
* '''Campus worker organizing:''' Pitt faculty, graduate student workers, and other workers are organizing for their rights and to support and protect the right to education. Keep informed about the campaign on their [http://www.pittfaculty.org/ website] and [https://www.facebook.com/PittFaculty/ Facebook page]
 
−
<br />
 
  
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==[[How to get involved]]==
+
*[http://wiki.pghrights.mayfirst.org/images/3/31/Gainey_Transition_Report_Response_Final.pdf Bringing a Human Rights Perspective to Mayor Gainey’s Transition Report 2022]
 +
*[http://wiki.pghrights.mayfirst.org/images/7/7c/Human_Rights_Day_2021_Gainey_Letter.pdf Message to Mayor-Elect Gainey on International Human Rights Day 2021] (Dec. 10)
  
−
* '''[https://lists.mayfirst.org/mailman/listinfo/pghrights Join the Human Rights City Alliance email list for updates on events & action opportunities]'''
+
*[http://wiki.pghrights.mayfirst.org/images/d/d0/Pittsburgh_Press_release.pdf Pittsburgh Delegation Attends Human Rights Cities Leadership Summit in Atlanta, May 2023] - As part of our work with human rights cities and human rights advocates around the country and around the world, we brought a team of more than two dozen Pittsburgh activists, youth, and policy experts to Atlanta to learn, share, and network.
−
''Please get in touch if you're interested in some of these ongoing projects or in efforts to follow-up some of these past initiatives. We are an all-volunteer group and are working to create spaces for residents to work together to envision and build a different kind of city and region. pghrights [at] riseup [dot] net.''<br />
 
  
−
* [[Housing Summit | Housing Summit-Resources & Links]]
+
<big>'''Human Rights Education & Outreach'''</big><br>
−
* [[Teach-In|Uniting Against Hate: Immigrant Rights, Racial Justice and the U.S. Prison System]]
 
−
* [[:file:Annual_Report_2016.pdf|Annual report 2016--See what we accomplished last year!]]
 
−
* [http://www.un.org/en/events/africandescentdecade/ International Decade of People of African Descent 2015-2025--]''Recognition, Justice and Development''
 
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* <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif">[http:///file/view/Discussion%20Guide%20Alexie%20Absolutely%20True%20Diary%20of%20Part%20Time%20Indian.pdf/618673381/Discussion%20Guide%20Alexie%20Absolutely%20True%20Diary%20of%20Part%20Time%20Indian.pdf Discussion Guide]</span>''to'' Sherman Alexie's [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Absolutely_True_Diary_of_a_Part-Time_Indian The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian] prepared for use around Indigenous Peoples Day 2017, but this resource can be used anytime to facilitate discussion and dialogue around themes of institutionalized racism, internalized oppression, and the historical and contemporary experiences of Indigenous communities and other communities of color in the United States.
 
−
<br />  
 
  
−
* '''[[Teach-In|VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: Teach-In: Uniting Against Hate: ]]''''''''How the prison industrial complex impacts our communities & what we can do to change it:''''' ''A working group is organizing an event to raise consciousness on this critical human rights issue.''
+
A key focus of HRCA is raising awareness among civil society and elected officials of the [https://www.ohchr.org/en/instruments-and-mechanisms international human rights framework], and how we can (and should) use this framework to advocate for, monitor, and uphold "people-centered human rights" at home. This work includes building a movement of human rights enforcers and educating elected and government officials about their obligations under [https://www.ohchr.org/en/instruments-and-mechanisms/international-human-rights-law international human rights laws].  
−
<br /> <br /> '''NEW Research on Pittsburgh and Human Rights Organizing''':<br /> <span style="font-size: 16px">[https://brock.scholarsportal.info/journals/SSJ/article/view/1394 Responding to Globalization and Urban Conflict: Human Rights City Initiatives] ''Studies in Social Justice'' </span><br /> <br /> <u>'''Dangerous Times: Defending Human Rights'''</u><br /> ''<span style="font-family: &#39;Times New Roman&#39;,serif; font-size: 16px">Values are fragile. Because the values of human rights depend foremost on the ability to empathize with others”to recognize the importance of treating others the way we would want to be treated ”they are especially vulnerable to the demagogue's exclusionary appeal. '''A society's culture of respect for human rights needs regular tending''', lest the fears of the moment sweep away the wisdom that built democratic rule.</span>''<span style="font-family: &#39;Times New Roman&#39;,serif; font-size: 16px"> Human Rights Watch </span>'''<span style="font-family: &#39;Times New Roman&#39;,serif; font-size: 16px">[https://www.hrw.org/world-report/2017/country-chapters/dangerous-rise-of-populism "World Report 2017: Demagogues Threaten Human Rights-Trump, European Populists Foster Bigotry, Discrimination."]</span>'''<br />
 
  
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* <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif">'''Truth-Telling for Reconciliation: Remembering Victims of Slavery & the Slave''' Trade-March 25th is the International [https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.un.org%2Fen%2Fevents%2Fslaveryremembranceday%2F&data=01%7C01%7Cjgsmith%40pitt.edu%7Ca8d5291136e246c4641a08d460c88bc7%7C9ef9f489e0a04eeb87cc3a526112fd0d%7C1&sdata=Fr%2B%2FHCQ%2BSqkdORWdmx8ACCPXPwwMxfdFHq2yw%2B8Hhf4%3D&reserved=0 Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade]--Ideas: convene a group to discuss an article or book such as The Case for Reparations, by Ta-Nehisi Coates or Michael Dyson's [https://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/12/books/review/tears-we-cannot-stop-michael-eric-dyson.html Tears We Cannot Stop: A Sermon for White America]. UN initiatives to fight racism and xenophobia: [http://together.un.org/ Together] (respect, safety and dignity for refugees and migrants) [http://www.un.org/en/letsfightracism/ Let's Fight Racism]", and "[http://www.standup4humanrights.org/en/highlights.html Stand Up for Someone's Rights Today]," in addition to the [http://www.un.org/en/events/africandescentdecade/ International Decade for People of African Descent.]</span>
+
'''Relevant Documents'''<br>
−
* '''[https://www.hrw.org/sites/default/files/hrw_world_report_etr_final.pdf Human Rights in Danger (]'''Youth and public education resource) Human Rights Watch 2017 Report [https://www.hrw.org/world-report/2017/country-chapters/dangerous-rise-of-populism The Dangerous Rise of PopulismGlobal Attacks on Human Rights Values]
 
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* '''Local strategy working paper:''' [[:file:Moving_from_Shallow_to_Deep_Democracy_Strategy_Ideas.pdf|Moving from Shallow to Deep Democracy]]<br /> [http://www.hreusa.net/data/files/Human%20Rights%20Here%20and%20Now%20November%20issue.pdf Teaching Tolerance: Talking with kids and adults about human rights ]"Speak up for civility"--Human Rights Educators USA
 
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* [http://www.truth-out.org/opinion/item/38443-countering-trump-let-s-build-a-people-powered-democracy-and-economy Building a society that works for all: ]This election showed the urgency of people's need for major changes in the basic structure of our economy and government policies. Neither presidential candidate offered that. There is a need to build grassroots movements for economic and social transformation rather than allowing elites to determine what kind of society we live in. "Politicians from both parties lionize the entrepreneur, casting poverty ...as an individual shortcoming, a narrative that erases ...the [http://www.nytimes.com/2005/08/28/books/review/when-affirmative-action-was-white-uncivil-rights.html?_r=0 structurally racist policies] that have continued to maintain [white privilege]."
 
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* See examples of legislation passed in Human Rights Cities of [[:file:DC_Human_Rights_City_Resolution_Reaffirmation_11_19_2016.pdf|Washington DC]] and [[:file:Eugene_Inclusive_Community_Resolution_2016.pdf|Eugene Oregon's Inclusive Community Resolution]].
 
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* '''Strategies for Improving Local Implementation of Human Rights'''--Lessons from around the World
 
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<br /> <u>'''Defend Pittsburghers' Right to Stay in ''their'' City! Housing Justice'''</u><br /> [http://housingsummit.wikispaces.com/ **Affordable Housing Initiative:** **Pittsburgh Housing Summit** (Resources and links to recordings of plenary sessions) ]''"Don't evict Pittsburgh!" Housing is a human right!'' ''The essence of our city is people and communities--not buildings, businesses, and tourist attractions.''[http://homesforallpgh.org/ Homes for All Pittsburgh]<br /> <br /> '''''*The Human Rights City Alliance works to promote and support activities of all human rights advocates around the region. Please contact us about relevant events/activities to share: pghrigts [at] riseup.net .'''''<br /> <br />
 
  
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=About the Human Rights City Alliance=
+
*[https://www.ohchr.org/en/universal-declaration-of-human-rights Universal Declaration of Human Rights]
 +
*[https://www.ohchr.org/en/what-are-human-rights/international-bill-human-rights International Bill of Human Rights]
  
−
* See the[[:file:Conference_summary_-General_Version_3_2.pdf| summary of our Human Rights Cities Conference,]] hosted at the University of Pittsburgh
+
=Resources=
 +
[http://wiki.pghrights.mayfirst.org/index.php?title=Resources '''Link to more resources'''--toolkits, reports, and organizations supporting local human rights work]
 +
 
 +
=Annual Reports=
 +
*[http://wiki.pghrights.mayfirst.org/images/b/bc/Annual_Report_2019.pdf 2019 Annual Report]
 
* [[:file:Annual_Report_2017.pdf|2017 Annual Report]]
 
* [[:file:Annual_Report_2017.pdf|2017 Annual Report]]
 
* [[:file:Annual_Report_2016.pdf|2016 Annual Report]]: See what we've done in the past year as we look forward to strengthening Pittsburgh activism for human rights in the year ahead!
 
* [[:file:Annual_Report_2016.pdf|2016 Annual Report]]: See what we've done in the past year as we look forward to strengthening Pittsburgh activism for human rights in the year ahead!
 
* [[:file:Annual_Report_2015.pdf|2015 Annual Report]]
 
* [[:file:Annual_Report_2015.pdf|2015 Annual Report]]
−
* [[:file:Human_Rights_Day_2017_Press_Release_Final.pdf| International Human Rights Day 2017 Press Conference]] at the City County Building
 
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=How to Get Involved=
 
−
 
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* '''<span style="font-size: 120%">[https://lists.mayfirst.org/mailman/listinfo/pghrights Sign up for our email list to learn about upcoming events]</span>'''
 
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* '''Community Outreach:''' Please invite groups you work with to be part of the Human Rights City Alliance's work! Help us invite groups around our city to link their work with the vision of building a human rights city. [[:file:Outreach_letter_to_groups_March_2015.pdf|This letter is addressed to community leaders ]]and invites them to reflect on actions they can take "because we're a human rights city." [[:file:Congregation_letter_with_logo.pdf|This letter invites congregations/church leaders]] to lift up human rights concerns in their churches-particularly around December 10/Human Rights Day.
 
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* Are you a faculty or staff member or graduate student at an area university? Join our Pittsburgh Area University Human Rights Network
 
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* Share the word and help us carry out the [[Human Rights City Action Plan|Human Rights City Action Plan]]
 
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='''Resources'''=
 
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[http://wiki.pghrights.mayfirst.org/index.php?title=Resources '''Link to more resources'''--toolkits, reports, and organizations supporting local human rights work]
 
  
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'''People-Centered Human Rights: Analyses from Around the Nation and World'''
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*Official [[Reports to UN Human Rights Bodies]] (multiple years)
−
*[[:file: Draft_Human_Rights_City_Principles_2017.pdf | Statement of Principles- National Human Rights City Alliance and People-Centered Human Rights]]
 
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* <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left">[[:file:UDHR_PGHedition_FOR_RELEASE.pdf|Pittsburgh edition of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights]] (Booklet format--PDF)</span>
 
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* <span style="font-size: 15.8px">[[Human Rights City Action Plan|Working Draft of An Action Plan ]]for building a Human Rights City ([[:file:Human_Rights_City_Action_Plan.pdf|PDF Version]])</span>
 
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* [http://web.law.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/microsites/human-rights-institute/desk_reference.pdf Human Rights Recommendations to the United States: A Desk Reference for State and Local Human Rights Agencies]
 
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* <span style="font-family: &#39;Times New Roman&#39;,serif; font-size: 16px">[http://web.law.columbia.edu/human-rights-institute/human-rights-us/state-and-local-implementation Resources for State and Local Human Rights Implementation]</span>
 
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* <span style="font-family: &#39;Times New Roman&#39;,serif; font-size: 16px">'''Sanctuary Cities''': [http://www.northeastern.edu/law/academics/institutes/phrge/publications/boston-principles.html Boston Principles on the Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights of Noncitizens]</span>
 
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* Pitt Students work with Homewood residents on new resource website: [https://iamhomewood.com/ I Am Homewood]''--this project reflects what can happen when we create networks among the various residents in our city. The Human Rights City Alliance helped bring creative and energetic folks together to enhance local knowledge and advance human rights advocacy work.''
 
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* ''[https://skl.se/download/18.2625f9e6145ac763d07be224/1401096812446/Local_initiatives_to_counter_violence_SALAR.pdf Local Initiatives to Counter Violence-Promoting Political Extremism]--'' This document from the Swedish Association of Local and Regional Authorities was produced following violence at a 1995 white-supremacy concert organized by a growing right-wing movement. Examples of local initiatives can guide work in other communities to counter the exclusionary and hateful messages of such groups.
 
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* '''[[:file:Housing_as_a_Human_Right.pdf|Housing is a Human Right: Slideshow]]''' on international treaties and opportunities to promote the [[:file:Housing_as_a_Human_Right.pdf|human right to housing]]
 
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<br> [[OSHER Lifelong Learning Institute-Human Rights in Pittsburgh and Beyond, Resource Page]]
 
  
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=Past events=
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=Archive=
−
'''World Food Day 2015:''' [https://pitt.hosted.panopto.com/Panopto/Pages/Viewer.aspx?id=b28fcce4-a5a0-4796-9f2c-cc68316692fc Watch video recording of October 2015 panel on the Right to Food]<br />  International Workers Day March for Immigrant Rights '''2016''' '''[[:file:May_Day_March_HRCA_Statement.pdf|Statement of Unity and Solidarity ]]'''<br /> <br /> <br /> <span style="display: block; text-align: center"><span style="display: block; text-align: center">''<span style="font-family: &#39;Arial&#39;,&#39;sans-serif&#39;; font-size: 18.6667px">Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.</span>'' <span style="display: block">--Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.</span></span></span><br /> <br /> <span style="display: block; text-align: center">'''<u><span style="font-family: &#39;Arial&#39;,&#39;sans-serif&#39;">Website: pghrights.org</span></u>''' <span style="color: #0000ff; font-family: &#39;Arial&#39;,&#39;sans-serif&#39;">Facebook: </span><span style="font-family: &#39;Arial&#39;,&#39;sans-serif&#39;">pghrights</span></span><br />
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*[[Archive]]
−
----
 
−
<br /> <span style="display: block; text-align: center">https://www.facebook.com/groups/pghrights/<br /> </span><span style="display: block; font-size: 130%; text-align: center">#pghrights</span><br /> <span style="color: #0000ff; display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 19.2px; text-align: center"><span style="color: #0b0b24; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 19.2px">e-mail: pghrights [at] riseup.net</span></span><br /> <br /> <span style="font-size: 140%">[[:file:UDHR_PGHedition_FOR_RELEASE.pdf|Universal Declaration of Human Rights booklet with Pittsburgh's Human Rights City Proclamation]]</span><br />
 
  
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[[:file:YWCA_Pledge_Stand_against_racism.pdf|YWCA Pledge Stand against racism]]<br />  
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<br /> <br /> <br /> <span style="display: block; text-align: center"><span style="display: block; text-align: center">''<span style="font-family: &#39;Arial&#39;,&#39;sans-serif&#39;; font-size: 18.6667px">Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.</span>'' <span style="display: block">--Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.</span>
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* [[:file:YWCA_Pledge_Stand_against_racism.pdf|Download]]
 
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* 245 KB
 
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=All Pages=
 
=All Pages=
 
* [[Communication Justice Initiative]]
 
* [[Communication Justice Initiative]]

Latest revision as of 17:40, 17 October 2024

Human Rights City Alliance Logo -w TEXT- copy 4.png

Pittsburgh Human Rights City AllianceDignity & Justice for All of Us"Human rights don't trickle down...they RISE UP!"

About Us

Pittsburgh Human Rights City Alliance works to bring together diverse groups and individuals to encourage the realization of our City Council's 2011 Proclamation declaring Pittsburgh a "human rights city". We strive to foster a human rights culture that maximizes human rights and dignity for all people who live in our region (See Human Rights Cities Principles). We help network leading community organizations and concerned residents to advance people-centered human rights in Pittsburgh. We cannot wait for leaders in Washington to protect our basic rights! It takes engaged and creative efforts of community residents to "bring human rights home"!

Ways to Get Involved

Subscribe

Subscribe to our newsletterfor updates on events & action opportunities!
University Human Rights Working Group: Faculty members, staff and graduate students can subscribe here.
Follow us on Facebook and Instagram

Join a Working Group
--Working groups meet regularly to develop projects on specific issues. Everyone is welcome to attend & learn about local human rights issues and find ways to get involved! Current working groups include:

For more information, meeting times and links, please contact Maddy McGrady at madeline@theglobalswitchboard.org

Calendar

Immigrants Are Our Neighbors: Building Inclusive Communities for All

Wednesday, October 30th, 5:30-7:30pm, Hill District Community Engagement Center, Room 204 (1908 Wylie Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15219)
Please join us for a conversation with members of our local immigrant communities to discuss the implications of policy, rhetoric, and community support for immigrant rights and human rights for all. Learn how immigrant communities are being affected by the contemporary political climate and how we can work together to foster a City that values and supports all of its residents to live with dignity and justice, including its immigrant and refugee communities. This community forum will shape our local advocacy and inform a report for the United Nations Universal Periodic Review (UPR) of human rights in the United States.This meeting is part of a series of community forums on human rights to help build awareness and strengthen our collective work to bring human rights home.

Housing is a Human Right: Advancing a Human Rights-Based Housing Strategy for our Region

Saturday, November 9th, 10:30am-12:30pm, East Liberty Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, Meeting Room 3 (130 S Whitfield St, Pittsburgh, PA 15206)
The human right to housing is well established in international law, yet many residents in our region suffer from housing insecurity, poor quality housing, and homelessness. How can we work together to promote and protect housing as a human right? How can international human rights law be a resource to advance work for housing rights in our city? This community forum will shape our local advocacy and inform a report for the United Nations Universal Periodic Review (UPR) of human rights in the United States. Come learn about current housing rights issues in our region and how we can build local solutions and use international law to strengthen our efforts. This meeting is part of a series of community forums on human rights to help build awareness and strengthen our collective work to bring human rights home.

Current Work

The Human Rights City Alliance helps build alliances among individuals and groups in our area supporting human rights for all. We support local engagement in national and international human rights advocacy, and participate in UN human rights reviews of U.S. policies.

We are currently involved in the United Nations Universal Periodic Review of the U.S. government and will be hosting a series of related community forums. See our Reports to UN Human Rights Bodies, submitted as part of the global work to improve compliance with international human rights law.

Working Groups Our current working groups focus on the following issue areas, and they are shaped by efforts of volunteers like you!

Housing Rights & Justice

HRCA is an active member of the Pittsburgh Housing Justice Table, a coalition of allied local organizations and independent advocates who believe that housing is a human right and that everyone should have access to the housing they need. Our Housing Rights Working Group supports the work of the Housing Justice Table through related events, education and advocacy efforts.

Through community engagement and conversations with Housing Justice Table coalition partners, HRCA developed A Human Rights-based Housing Strategy and Action Plan for Pittsburgh, PA which serves as a guiding document for our housing advocacy. We want our goals and strategy to reflect the needs and perspectives of our community, which is why we invite residents to review the document and share input with us so that we can strengthen it. Send your comments to hrca@theglobalswitchboard.org or join us for our next working group meeting!

You can learn more about the history behind our research and strategy conversations by reviewing our resource page, Building Pittsburgh's Human Rights Housing Strategy

Relevant Events & Actions

Racial Equity & Justice

HRCA is active as part of a broad coalition of community members and organizations committed to ending and redressing long-standing racial inequalities, inequities, and discrimination in the Pittsburgh region and beyond, recognizing that Freedom from Racial Discrimination is a Right, Not a Privilege.

This work includes raising awareness of the U.S. government's legal obligation to address racial discrimination under international law. For example, the U.S. ratified the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (CERD) in 1994 and has thus legally agreed to comply with and implement its requirements.

Recent events & actions:

Creating a Human Rights City

In 2011, the City of Pittsburgh issued a Proclamation declaring Pittsburgh the 5th Human Rights City in the U.S.. While this represents a step in the right direction, much work remains to strengthen and actually realize the City's commitment and to create a City in which everyone can thrive. We’re drawing from examples in other cities such as Atlanta to bring stronger human rights commitments along with processes for monitoring and setting targets for advancing equity and protecting the rights of all residents.

Relevant Documents

Human Rights Education & Outreach

A key focus of HRCA is raising awareness among civil society and elected officials of the international human rights framework, and how we can (and should) use this framework to advocate for, monitor, and uphold "people-centered human rights" at home. This work includes building a movement of human rights enforcers and educating elected and government officials about their obligations under international human rights laws.

Relevant Documents

Resources

Link to more resources--toolkits, reports, and organizations supporting local human rights work

Annual Reports

Archive




Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. --Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

All Pages

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