Faith, labor leaders in city endorse safeguards for immigrants, refugees

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Religious and labor leaders are backing proposed protections for Pittsburghbased immigrants, refugees and people with disabilities.

At a Downtown news conference Tuesday, representatives from the Catholic, Islamic and Jewish communities endorsed six bills before Pittsburgh City Council. The legislation would foster a “language access plan” and ban the city from withholding services based on a person’s immigration status, among related provisions.

“This package of legislation is going to help us to ensure that we don’t let anyone stand on the side who is suffering, that people stand up to help them,” said Rabbi Ron Symons, senior director of Jewish life at the Jewish Community Center of Greater Pittsburgh.

Pittsburgh Bishop David Zubik and Wasi Mohamed, executive director at the Islamic Center of Pittsburgh, also voiced support for the legislation. So did Sam Williamson, Western Pennsylvania district director at 32BJ SEIU. The labor union represents property service workers.

“These bills will help make Pittsburgh a better, more inclusive city not only for immigrants, refugees and people with disabilities, but for all Pittsburghers,” Mr. Williamson said in a statement.

“This is an opportunity for Pittsburgh to set the example for other cities to follow.”

Councilman Dan Gilman introduced the bills Tuesday and expects a preliminary vote next week.

The legislation would push the city to make services more accessible for people learning English and those with disabilities; prevent the city from contracting with companies recently convicted of wage theft; and spur a police Office of Multicultural Affairs.

Also Tuesday, council passed a bill from Mr. Gilman on sidewalk safety.

For sidewalk closures, the measure calls for warning signage at the nearest safe crosswalk. Sidewalk closures longer than 30 days should feature a covered walkway unless an engineer shows that’s not realistic, according to the legislation.