Statement
of Principles
For
a New Era of Tolerance in New York City
Whereas,
we are
entering the throes of an election season in New York City, with
candidates of all backgrounds running for public office; and, Whereas,
we
believe that the best possible persons should be elected as our governing
officials: and, Whereas,
it is
the diversity of our City and our Country that has created, and will
create the brightest light for the future as global leaders for the 21st
Century; and, Whereas, we want to encourage people of all backgrounds to be involved in city governance. NOW,
THEREFORE, we
declare the following principles: 1.
It
is the responsibility of every candidate for public office New York City
to evaluate the effect of his/her statements on racial, ethnic, religious,
and sexual divisiveness by his/her actions and comments during the
campaign, and to make every effort to foster racial harmony. 2.
It
is unacceptable that any candidate feels it right to declare his/her
entitlement to votes because of the sameness of his/her race, ethnicity,
sex, religion, or sexual orientation. 3.
It
is the responsibility of all persons in public life to speak out to
prevent the balkanization of New York City. 4.
It
is the responsibility of leadership of our respective communities to
prevent the use of anti-Semitism or other anti-religious expression,
sexism, ethnocentricism, homophobism, or racism for political purposes. We further declare that
we will speak out collectively against any candidate who fosters
divisiveness or hatred, and who does not clearly promote harmony and
tolerance of our diversity. We further declare and demand that
each candidate be respectful of our diversity as human beings, as
citizens of New York, and of America. We finally declare and request that every candidate join with us in this resolution, and commit to carrying out its intent by signing below. |
Candidates
for Mayor
Fernando Ferrer Mark Green
Al G. Hevesi Peter F. Vallone Jr.Candidates
for Public Advocate
Stephen DiBrienza Kathyrn Freed
Betsy Gotbaum Scott M. Stringer
Norman SiegelCandidates for Comptroller
Herbert Berman William Thompson |
