In response to weeks of protests around the country over issues of racial injustice, Mayor Sharon Weston Broome announced this morning she is establishing a Commission on Equity and Justice that will work to instill the practice of racial equity and inclusion throughout city-parish government and the community.
At a news conference this morning, Broome said the recent protests, which began after George Floyd died in the custody of Minneapolis police officers, stem from centuries of anger, frustration and grief.
“We are at crossroads in our nation’s history, and we have the potential to transform this moment into a movement, one where we can bring our goal of justice to fruition,” she said.
The commission will focus on four areas: economic development; health and human services; arts, culture and community engagement; and city-parish government.
As envisioned, the commission will convene dialogues with public and private sector leaders, as well as with community members from across the city-parish, in order to better understand, directly challenge and fundamentally transform inequitable institutions, policies and culture.
To that end, the commission will review current and proposed city-parish policies to ensure they are equitable both in theory and in practice. The 24 commission members will be appointed by Broome. Four members will represent each of the focus areas, plus five at large members and three student members from LSU, Southern University and BRCC. People interested in serving on the commission can apply through a website to be launched soon.
“This will help surface unintended consequences of proposed actions, identify opportunities for improvement, determine how actions may advance racial equity, and create opportunities for increased community engagement and accountability,” Broome said.
Broome signed an executive order Thursday creating the commission. It remains in effect for 90 days.
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