Talent, Ore. — A civil rights resolution is being discussed by the City of Talent, aiming to protect all religions, beliefs, and lifestyles. The idea was originally brought forward by a local Muslim group, to combat hate in the community.
Talent resident Kelly Harding lives just down the street from the local mosque, serving Muslims from all over Southern Oregon and Northern California.
“We just like to learn about all religions,” Harding said. “We were like, oh there’s a mosque there, that would be interesting to go sometime.”
This summer, Muslim citizens asked the Talent City Council to adopt an anti-hate resolution. Mayor Darby Stricker said the idea has since expanded to include all lifestyles and religions, using the Muslim faith as the leading example.
“All along it’s been to cite some of the hateful rhetoric about the Muslim community as an example of the type of right violations that the city of talent just isn’t willing to tolerate,” Mayor Stricker said.
An ad hoc committee is being formed, to create the civil rights resolution.
“It will be a committee of citizens of Talent, that are going to help develop this resolution that will be considered by the council when finished,” Mayor Stricker said.
While it’s early in the developmental process, Harding feels it’s a step in the right direction.
“There should not be any prejudice against anybody just because somebody that did something wrong was from that specific religion.”
The City of Talent is now accepting applications for the ad hoc committee. If you’re interested, you can apply at Talent City Hall.
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