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Public Employee Press
Political Action 2005
Mayor signs civil rights law
With DC 37 Executive Director Lillian Roberts at his side
Oct. 3, Mayor Bloomberg signed into law the strongest city civil rights
legislation enacted since 1991. Intro 22A reinforces New Yorkers
protections against discrimination and adds domestic partners to the groups
protected under the city Human Rights Law.
Explicitly including partnership status on the list of protected
classes follows our citys best traditions of justice and equality,
he said.
This historic civil rights bill will have far-reaching effects for
our members in housing, employment and public accommodations, said
Roberts. It is fitting that a city as diverse as ours would strengthen
its local civil rights laws.
She stood with City Council members Gail Brewer, David Weprin, and Bill
DeBlasio as Bloomberg signed the bill. He credited DC 37, the only union
present, for pressing for the restoration bill.
Intro 22A requires judges to interpret the law broadly to protect plaintiffs
and raises damages for intentional and malicious violations by expanding
the definition of retaliation. The bill is timely, because federal and
state courts have recently chipped away at civil rights protections, said
Assistant General Counsel Leonard Polletta. The law will impact pending
cases, he said, including a discrimination suit filed by Paramedics against
the Fire Dept. Roberts also hopes the law will lead to fairer representation
of minorities and disabled persons in management positions.
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