Abington Township Human Relations Commission responds to Trump administration’s DEI revocation

The Abington Township Human Relations Commission (HRC) announced today its reaction to the White House’s executive order titled “Ending Radical And Wasteful Government DEI Programs And Preferencing“, which revokes Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs within the federal government.

The Trump administration issued the executive order on Monday.

“The Biden Administration forced illegal and immoral discrimination programs, going by the name “diversity, equity, and inclusion” (DEI), into virtually all aspects of the Federal Government, in areas ranging from airline safety to the military,” the first section of the statement reads. “This was a concerted effort stemming from President Biden’s first day in office, when he issued Executive Order 13985, ‘Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government.'”

The first section continues:

Pursuant to Executive Order 13985 and follow-on orders, nearly every Federal agency and entity submitted “Equity Action Plans” to detail the ways that they have furthered DEIs infiltration of the Federal Government.  The public release of these plans demonstrated immense public waste and shameful discrimination.  That ends today.  Americans deserve a government committed to serving every person with equal dignity and respect, and to expending precious taxpayer resources only on making America great.

A second section, titled “Implementation”, states that public officials “shall coordinate the termination of all discriminatory programs, including illegal DEI and “diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility” (DEIA) mandates, policies, programs, preferences, and activities in the Federal Government, under whatever name they appear.” 

The second section continues:

To carry out this directive, the Director of OPM, with the assistance of the Attorney General as requested, shall review and revise, as appropriate, all existing Federal employment practices, union contracts, and training policies or programs to comply with this order.  Federal employment practices, including Federal employee performance reviews, shall reward individual initiative, skills, performance, and hard work and shall not under any circumstances consider DEI or DEIA factors, goals, policies, mandates, or requirements.

According to the HRC’s post, “These actions stand in stark contrast to the mission of our Commission along with the Abington Township Non-Discrimination Ordinance and undermine the progress made toward fostering equity and inclusion for all individuals.”

The post continues:

The HRC was established under Ordinance No. 2175, which clearly states our commitment to ensuring equal opportunity for all individuals and prohibiting discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, and other protected classes. Our mission is to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion within our community and to ensure that every individual feels valued and respected. The executive orders represent a profound departure from these values by establishing a precedent that directly undermines efforts to create equitable and inclusive environments. These orders not only dismiss the value of DEI initiatives but also seek to redefine foundational concepts of inclusion, setting a new and troubling standard that marginalizes individuals who identify outside the binary framework of gender.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion programs are not merely aspirational; they are foundational to addressing systemic inequities that have persisted for generations. The civil rights movement of the 1960s laid the groundwork for many of the DEI efforts we see today, reminding us that true equality requires intentional and ongoing work. Just days after celebrating the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., whose dream of equality continues to inspire our nation, these actions threaten to undo the progress for which he and so many others fought tirelessly. These initiatives foster inclusive environments where individuals from all walks of life can thrive. These orders actively work to erase decades of progress, signaling a systemic rejection of diversity and setting a dangerous precedent that threatens to normalize exclusion and inequity at the highest levels of governance.

The HRC unequivocally opposes these executive orders, as they contradict the principles upon which our Commission was founded. By disregarding DEI efforts and imposing a restrictive definition of gender, the orders marginalize vulnerable communities, strip away vital protections, and perpetuate disparities that we, as a society, have worked tirelessly to dismantle.

Our Commission remains steadfast in its mission to advocate for equity and inclusion. We call upon our community members, local leaders, and allies to join us in standing against these actions and reaffirming our commitment to protecting the rights and dignity of all individuals. Together, we can continue to build a township that reflects the core values of justice, equity, and respect for diversity.

As we move forward, the HRC will continue to uphold its mandate by educating our community, fostering dialogue, and advocating for policies that align with our mission and the ordinance that guides our work. We encourage all residents of Abington Township to join us in this critical effort to advance equality and inclusion for everyone.

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