Human Rights City

Pittsburgh Human Rights Proclamation Ceramony

One of the youth celebrating after the proclamation ceramony.  Her sign reads: "Your human rights are protected by law."

On April 19 AFSC’s Racial Justice Through Human Rights (RJTHR) youth group accomplished their goal when Pittsburgh was declared a Human Rights City. Youth from the Pittsburgh Young Leaders Academy joined the RJTHR youth during the presentation of the proclamation in a ceremony during City Council. Five of the RJTHR youth accepted the Proclamation and spoke about their hope and concerns for the future of Pittsburgh.  

Hassel Lines

Youth in Pittsburgh Racial Justice through Human Rights exploring ways to address conflicts using Hassel Lines.

“Racism is ignorance and it’s been going around for a long time. If we don’t so anything about it now, it will continue to be around for generations. We have to deal with it.” Quote from youth.

What is racism? What are our human rights, and how do we create an environment in which all rights are respected. These are some of the concepts the American Friends Service Committee, (AFSC) Racial Justice Through Human Rights youth group have been learning about and reflecting on.

Steven Neal, Jr of Friendship Collegiate Academy

Steven Neal, Jr of Friendship Collegiate Academy
A participant in the Human Rights Learning project

By: Joan Gildemeister, D.C. Peace and Economic Justice Program Committee

D.C. Human Rights People's Movement and Human Rights City

D.C. Human Rights People's Movement steering committee.

On December 10, 2008, Human Rights Day, at the urging of the People’s Movement for Human Rights Learning (PDHRE) and AFSC’s D.C. Peace and Economic Justice Program, the D.C. City Council proclaimed the District of Columbia a Human Rights City to mark the 60th anniversary of the adoption by the United Nations of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR).  Washington, D.C. has joined a successful worldwide movement that includes more than 17 cities in 6 countries. Read the D.C.