Chelsea Leaders Adopt Official Stance on Racial Equality

In honor of Martin Luther King, Jr's 84th birthday, the city of Chelsea will re-issue a proclamation declaring the city free of prejudice or discriminatory treatment during a special ceremony on Jan. 21.

City officials signed an official proclamation in 2012 after hosting a series of meetings with the U.S. Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division. The department approved of the city's efforts to promote equality among all of its citizens, calling Chelsea “a model community.”

The proclamation states that the Chelsea area is a place that does not tolerate prejudice or discriminatory treatment of any person, whether a resident or a visitor and welcomes people of varied backgrounds in the community. It resolves that the community will proactively uphold an environment of respect, dignity and mutual understanding among diverse groups and individuals.

City leaders will re-affirm the proclamation and give citizens the opportunity to sign the document at 7 p.m. Jan. 21 in the council chambers inside the Chelsea Police Department.

Community groups are needed to sponsor the event at no cost. Groups will be included on the evening program and in a “signing book” that will be available for citizen signatures. This book, along with a framed copy of the proclamation, will be available at different community locations throughout the year.

For more information, visit www.facebook.com/ChelseaProclamation; or email Mickey Howe at mickray@aol.com.