Taking Back our Human Rights! Building a Black Regional Agenda for Justice

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In November of 2022, a large coalition led by Black-led organizations came together to launch a regional movement for equity and justice. This work began with our hosting a community forum during the visit by UN leader Justin Hansford, of the Permanent Forum on People of African Descent. That forum generated discussions that shaped this summary document, which we continue to use to guide movement building work.

Current work

  • Draft Text: Updating and Renewing Pittsburgh's Commitment to Bringing Human Rights to Local Government- This draft text has been developed by Human Rights City Alliance Steering Committee leaders, seeking to improve our local human rights city legislation by drawing from more recent human rights city legislation from the growing number of human rights cities, including Atlanta. We are working to encourage local officials to improve human rights monitoring and protection and to use human rights as a guide to local policies.

Background Resources and Links

Recordings/ Webinars

  • Webinar: The African Diaspora Convenes on the World Stage & Calls for Reparatory Justice--Reports from the Inaugural session of the UN Permanent Forum on People of African Descent. --In December 2022 the United Nations launched the Permanent Forum on People of African Descent (UNPFPAD) as part of the International Decade on People of African Descent (2015-2024). Activists who attended this historic, inaugural meeting of the PFPAD share their observations on how this new body can be a tool for building local and national movements to end white supremacy and advance racial justice. Panelists: Lisa Borden, Senior Policy Counsel, International Advocacy and Policy, Southern Poverty Law Center; Charkera Ervin, Howard University School of Law/ Movement Lawyering Clinic; Efia Nwangaza, SNCC Veteran, Civil/Human Rights Attorney, Director Malcolm X Center for Self Determination; Tiffany Williams Roberts, Director of Public Policy Unit, Southern Center for Human Rights; Gretchen Rohr, US-Liaison and Global Strategic Litigation Officer, Open Society Justice Initiative
  • Using the Human Rights Framework for Racial Justice: A Conversation with Justin Hansford-(Recording-November 18, 2022 by 1Hood Media).--After Michael Brown’s murder in Ferguson, Missouri, Justin Hansford helped Brown family members bring their appeal for justice to the United Nations See Ferguson to Geneva. This conversation brings together Black community leaders, advocates, and educators to discuss this effort and understand how we can make use of UN bodies like the Permanent Forum on People of African Descent to promote racial equity and fight white supremacy. What role do our communities play in building global tools to help defend and advance our human rights? Panelists: Dr. Rashad Williams, Assistant Professor of Race and Social Justice in Public Policy, University of Pittsburgh (Host), Tiffany Williams Roberts, Director of Public Policy Unit, Southern Center for Human Rights (Atlanta) & Steering Committee member, U.S. Human Rights Cities Alliance; Randall Taylor, Penn Plaza Support and Action Coalition.


Documentation

  • Racial Discrimination & Equity in the United States: Evidence from Pittsburgh (July 2022)-Report to United Nations Review of U.S. compliance with the Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Racial Discrimination (CERD) This report draws from documentation compiled by Pittsburgh advocates, city officials, researchers, and news reporters to demonstrate where improvements are needed in efforts to implement the Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Racial Discrimination in the United States. This report is part of the official international review of U.S. compliance with its treaty obligations.