Difference between revisions of "Pittsburgh Human Rights City Alliance"

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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]'''
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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>
</big>
 
  
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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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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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*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!''']
  
'''News & Updates''' <br/>
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*For more details see [[UPR Pittsburgh]]
*[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.
 
*[[: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. ‎
 
*''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"
 
*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]])
 
* '''[[:file:Annual_Report_2017.pdf|Annual Report 2017]]''' --See what we accomplished last year!
 
* '''[[National Human Rights Cities Alliance Workshop 2018, Washington DC]]'''
 
<br />
 
  
'''[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.
+
</br>
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'''Pittsburgh Activists File Report to UN on State of Human Rights in Region'''  
 +
*[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]
 +
*[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]).''
 +
**See more details at: [[UPR Pittsburgh]]
  
=='''<span class="wiki_link">Calendar</span>'''==
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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>
*Saturday March 2, 2019, 1:30-3:30PM '''Movement-building for a Just and Livable City for All''' ---Building on lessons from prior work of diverse groups to promote affordable housing, resist displacement of residents, and advance human rights in our region, this convening explores how can we move from reacting to threats towards promoting transformative change in our city. What opportunities and resources are available for advancing work for human rights and social justice? How can all residents join in this effort to make our neighborhoods and our region a place of dignity and justice for everyone?  '''Human Services Building, 1 Smithfield St. Downtown PGH,''' Homestead Grays Room.
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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!
  
*'''Tuesday March 12 6-8PM Landlord-Tenant Town Hall & Speak Out''' BGC Community Activity Center 113 N. Pacific Ave. PGH 15224 [https://www.pmconline.org/ Pennsylvanians for Modern Courts] will hold this informational session to help residents learn procedures and laws that apply in landlord-tenant cases and to provide a safe space to express diverse and opposing views regarding affordable housing and landlord-tenant relations in the East End. '''Free Childcare available '''
 
  
*Tuesday March 19, 6:00PM-8:30PM '''“Economic Human Rights: It’s Time for a New Social Contract!” Cathy Albisa''', co-founder and Executive Director of the [https://www.nesri.org/ National Economic and Social Rights Initiative]. [https://cec.pitt.edu/homewood/ Pitt Community Engagement Center Homewood], 622 N Homewood Ave. The National Economic and Social Rights Initiative is advancing a nation-wide call for a [https://www.nesri.org/initiatives/ansc “New Social Contract”] in this country to defend our economy, democracy and climate from threats posed by extreme concentrations of wealth in a few hands and economic development that prioritizes economic growth over maintaining the infrastructure, goods and services that families and neighborhoods need to thrive. A New Social Contract flips the script on this abusive economy and advances comprehensive, transformative, community-led solutions that protect human rights, build equitable systems for everyone and deepen our democracy. Learn about this initiative and how it can connect with struggles for human rights, democracy, and racial and economic justice in our city! Enjoy a light meal and learn about this exciting national initiative to change our national conversation and center human rights and people's basic needs! ''The National Economic and Social Rights Initiative works for a community-centered and participatory human rights approach that is locally anchored, but universal and global in its vision. Cathy Albisa has a background in constitutional and human rights and significant expertise in reproductive justice, corporate accountability, and economic and social rights.''
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==='''Calendar'''===
  
*Wednesday March 20, 12:00-1:30PM '''Economic and Social Rights Today: Roles for Advocates to Redefine the Social Contract,''' Cathy Albisa, Executive Director,[https://www.nesri.org/ National Economic and Social Rights Initiative]. 109 Barco Law Building, University of Pittsburgh (3900 Forbes Ave.)<br/>As we commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, this talk considers how today’s political conflicts reflect long-standing racism and neglect of economic and social rights in U.S. policy. Examples of grassroots movements working to advance community interests and equity provide insights into how advocates for greater equity and inclusion can work to rebuild our social contract in ways that challenge institutionalized racism and that advance a society where everyone can realize their full human potential. What roles do young people play in the ongoing social and legal struggles to defend democratic rights and expand possibilities for a more equitable and just society?  
+
*'''Monday, November 11, 6:00-8:00PM''' '''''Human Rights Community Forum: Human Rights & Health''''' 1 Smithfield Street, Downtown PGH, Homestead Grays Room. ''Co-sponsored by: The Pittsburgh Universal Periodic Review task force, which includes: Pittsburgh Human Rights City Alliance, Casa san Jose, Green Party of Allegheny County, Hill District Consensus Group, Pittsburgh for CEDAW, Just Harvest, City of Pittsburgh Human Relations Commission & Gender Equity Commission, and others.''  '''Food will be provided.''' [http://wiki.humanrightscities.mayfirst.org/index.php?title=UPR_Cities_Project#Tools.2C_Examples.2C_and_Templates See UPR Cities Initiative] [https://www.facebook.com/events/1345645395598741 Facebook link]
  
 +
*'''Friday-Saturday, November 22-23''' [https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2019-pittsburgh-housing-summit-tickets-76992158619 Third Pittsburgh Housing Summit] This 3-day summit will better educate, serve and assist the residents of the City of Pittsburgh and surrounding region so that they may know their rights and stand a better chance of securing affordable housing and advancing the conversation to build healthy and thriving communities that are equitable for all. Location: Alloy 26, 100 South Commons, #Suite 102, Pittsburgh, PA 15212 [http://wiki.pghrights.mayfirst.org/images/a/a7/Housing_Summit_2019.pdf Housing Summit Flier]
  
'''Monday March 25 is [http://www.un.org/en/events/slaveryremembranceday/ International Day of Remembrance of Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade]'''''
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*'''Monday, December 9, 6:00-8:00PM''' '''''Human Rights Community Forum: Human Rights & Decent Work''''' 1 Smithfield Street, Downtown PGH, Homestead Grays Room.''Co-sponsored by: The Pittsburgh Universal Periodic Review task force, which includes: Pittsburgh Human Rights City Alliance, Casa san Jose, Green Party of Allegheny County, Hill District Consensus Group, Pittsburgh for CEDAW, Just Harvest, City of Pittsburgh Human Relations Commission & Gender Equity Commission, and others.''  '''Food will be provided.''' [http://wiki.humanrightscities.mayfirst.org/index.php?title=UPR_Cities_Project#Tools.2C_Examples.2C_and_Templates See UPR Cities Initiative]
  
*Thursday April 4  12:00 Noon “The Human Right to Water: Threats from Privatization in Pittsburgh and the World 4130 Posvar Hall. [https://www.gre.ac.uk/people/rep/faculty-of-business/emanuele-lobina Emanuele Lobina], Department of International Business and Economics, University of Greenwich, and Public Services International; Discussion by activists in Pittsburgh’s Our Water Campaign who attend the recent [https://www.corporateaccountability.org/media/communique-national-summit-on-the-human-right-to-water/ Summit on the Human Right to Water] in Lagos, Nigeria.
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<big>
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*'''Tuesday December 10: International Human Rights Day'''</big>
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*'''Tuesday December 10: [http://pittsburghracialjusticesummit.org/racial-justice/ Third Annual Racial Justice Town Hall''']: Part of the 21st Racial Justice Summit, whose theme is ''Moving Forward Together: An Honest Confrontation & Resource for an Anti-Racist Community. The topic is Reckoning, Reconciliation, and Repair.'' The Union Project.
  
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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]
  
'''Other meetings'''
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====Other meetings====
 
*'''[https://www.pittsburghforpublictransit.org/ Pittsburghers for Public Transit]''' second Wednesday of each month at 7pm at 1 Smithfield Street (Pittsburgh Health and Human Services Building) downtown.  
 
*'''[https://www.pittsburghforpublictransit.org/ Pittsburghers for Public Transit]''' second Wednesday of each month at 7pm at 1 Smithfield Street (Pittsburgh Health and Human Services Building) downtown.  
*'''[https://pennplaza.wordpress.com/ Penn Plaza Support and Action Coalition]''' every Monday. For details contact pennplazacoalition@gmail.com.
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*'''[https://pennplaza.wordpress.com/ Penn Plaza Support and Action Coalition]''' every Monday, 6:00PM, 115 Beatty St. East Liberty.
 
*'''[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, Postal Workers Headquarters 841 California Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15202-2705
 
*'''[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, Postal Workers Headquarters 841 California Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15202-2705
  
==[[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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=='''Housing Justice'''==
 +
*'''[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.
 +
*'''[[Housing Justice Pittsburgh]]''' Building community power to fight displacement and promote our "Right to the City."
 +
*[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.
 +
*[[: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>
  
 +
*[[Forums on Amazon HQ2 and the Right to the City|Forged for All? the Amazon HQ2 Debate & the Future of Pittsburgh]]
 
Learn more about how Amazon's bid to move to Pittsburgh would affect human rights here. Resources, data, and recordings of community forums.  
 
Learn more about how Amazon's bid to move to Pittsburgh would affect human rights here. Resources, data, and recordings of community forums.  
 
*View '''community forums''' on the question of how an Amazon HQ2 would impact us:  
 
*View '''community forums''' on the question of how an Amazon HQ2 would impact us:  
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=='''Housing Justice'''==
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===[http://wiki.humanrightscities.mayfirst.org/index.php?title=International_Human_Rights_Monitoring International Human Rights Monitoring]===
*[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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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.
*[[: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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 +
 
 +
===News & Updates===
 +
*'''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!]'''
 +
 
 +
*'''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).
 +
 
 +
*[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.
 +
*[[: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. ‎
 +
*''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"
 +
*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]])
 +
* '''[[:file:Annual_Report_2017.pdf|Annual Report 2017]]''' --See what we accomplished last year!
 +
* '''[[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.
  
 
=='''Take Action:'''</span><br /> ==
 
=='''Take Action:'''</span><br /> ==

Revision as of 08:17, 15 November 2019

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!"

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 people-centered human rights in Pittsburgh.
About the Pittsburgh Human Rights City Alliance


*UPR Pittsburgh Bringing Global Human Rights Home: Pittsburgh's Human Rights Assessment & the United Nations 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.

  • 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. We need you to help support this delegation with your donation!


Pittsburgh Activists File Report to UN on State of Human Rights in Region

Pittsburgh City Council Passes Zero Evictions Proclamation in Solidarity with Global Movement for Housing Justice

  • 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!


Calendar

  • Monday, November 11, 6:00-8:00PM Human Rights Community Forum: Human Rights & Health 1 Smithfield Street, Downtown PGH, Homestead Grays Room. Co-sponsored by: The Pittsburgh Universal Periodic Review task force, which includes: Pittsburgh Human Rights City Alliance, Casa san Jose, Green Party of Allegheny County, Hill District Consensus Group, Pittsburgh for CEDAW, Just Harvest, City of Pittsburgh Human Relations Commission & Gender Equity Commission, and others. Food will be provided. See UPR Cities Initiative Facebook link
  • Friday-Saturday, November 22-23 Third Pittsburgh Housing Summit This 3-day summit will better educate, serve and assist the residents of the City of Pittsburgh and surrounding region so that they may know their rights and stand a better chance of securing affordable housing and advancing the conversation to build healthy and thriving communities that are equitable for all. Location: Alloy 26, 100 South Commons, #Suite 102, Pittsburgh, PA 15212 Housing Summit Flier
  • Monday, December 9, 6:00-8:00PM Human Rights Community Forum: Human Rights & Decent Work 1 Smithfield Street, Downtown PGH, Homestead Grays Room.Co-sponsored by: The Pittsburgh Universal Periodic Review task force, which includes: Pittsburgh Human Rights City Alliance, Casa san Jose, Green Party of Allegheny County, Hill District Consensus Group, Pittsburgh for CEDAW, Just Harvest, City of Pittsburgh Human Relations Commission & Gender Equity Commission, and others. Food will be provided. See UPR Cities Initiative

  • Tuesday December 10: International Human Rights Day
  • Tuesday December 10: Third Annual Racial Justice Town Hall: Part of the 21st Racial Justice Summit, whose theme is Moving Forward Together: An Honest Confrontation & Resource for an Anti-Racist Community. The topic is Reckoning, Reconciliation, and Repair. The Union Project.

Other meetings

Housing Justice

  • 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.
  • Housing Justice Pittsburgh Building community power to fight displacement and promote our "Right to the City."
  • 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.
  • Housing is a Human Right: Slideshow on international treaties and opportunities to promote the human right to housing

Learn more about how Amazon's bid to move to Pittsburgh would affect human rights here. Resources, data, and recordings of community forums.


International Human Rights Monitoring

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.


News & Updates


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.

Take Action:



Regularly scheduled meetings/ Local Human Rights Groups



Alerts & Updates

  • 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 (See FAQs for more information). Community organizations and individuals are asked to write letters to the Port Authority in support of this campaign (see sample letter).
  • PIttsburgh Public Schools Passes Sanctuary Resolution
  • 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! www.pgh4cedaw.org


University-Based Projects

  • Pittsburgh area university faculty, staff, and graduate students are invited to join the University Human Rights Network. We invite volunteers from different campuses to help support work on your campus and coordinate with other campuses.
  • 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 website and Facebook page


How to get involved

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.




NEW Research on Pittsburgh and Human Rights Organizing:
Responding to Globalization and Urban Conflict: Human Rights City Initiatives Studies in Social Justice

Dangerous Times: Defending Human Rights
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. Human Rights Watch "World Report 2017: Demagogues Threaten Human Rights-Trump, European Populists Foster Bigotry, Discrimination."


Defend Pittsburghers' Right to Stay in their City! Housing Justice
**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.Homes for All Pittsburgh

*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 .

About the Human Rights City Alliance

How to Get Involved


Resources

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

People-Centered Human Rights: Analyses from Around the Nation and World


OSHER Lifelong Learning Institute-Human Rights in Pittsburgh and Beyond, Resource Page

Past events

World Food Day 2015: Watch video recording of October 2015 panel on the Right to Food
International Workers Day March for Immigrant Rights 2016 Statement of Unity and Solidarity


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

Website: pghrights.org Facebook: pghrights



https://www.facebook.com/groups/pghrights/
#pghrights
e-mail: pghrights [at] riseup.net

Universal Declaration of Human Rights booklet with Pittsburgh's Human Rights City Proclamation

YWCA Pledge Stand against racism


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