Protecting Black Communities with the Same Urgency We Protect Endangered Species
Who Is This For?
This page is for city council members, county commissioners, community advocates, and concerned residents who want to pass a local law protecting Black communities from discrimination, displacement, and harm.
The ordinance below is a template. Adapt it to your city. Change the fine amounts. Add local examples. Make it yours.
But before you read the ordinance, understand why it is needed and how this kind of protection already exists for other vulnerable groups.
Why Do We Need This?
Existing laws have failed us.
The Civil Rights Act of 1964 made discrimination illegal. The Voting Rights Act of 1965 protected the ballot. But here we are in 2026, and Black Americans are still:
- Killed by police at more than twice the rate of white Americans
- Displaced from our neighborhoods by gentrification
- Denied housing, loans, and jobs at higher rates
- Targeted by voter suppression laws
- Disciplined more harshly in schools
- Given poorer healthcare
The laws exist on paper. But they are not enforced. And they do not require the government to actively protect us.
The Black Community Protection Act closes that gap. It creates affirmative duties on local government to prevent harm, not just punish it after the fact.
This Is Not Unprecedented
We already protect vulnerable groups with this level of urgency. We just don’t protect people the same way.
The Endangered Species Act – A Model for Protection
Under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) of 1973, species of plants and animals can be designated as endangered (at risk of extinction) or threatened (likely to become endangered). Once designated, the species receives powerful legal protections.
| Step | What Happens |
| 1. Petition | Any person or organization can petition the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to list a species. |
| 2. Evaluation | The agency evaluates the species using a five-factor test: habitat destruction, overuse, disease, inadequate regulation, and other threats. |
| 3. Public Comment | The proposed rule is published. States and the public have at least 90 days to comment. |
| 4. Final Decision | If listing is warranted, the agency issues a final rule. Protections take effect immediately. |
| 5. Recovery Plan | The agency must create and implement a recovery plan for the species. |
Protections Granted to Listed Species
Once a species is listed, it is illegal to:
- “Take” the species (harass, harm, pursue, hunt, shoot, wound, kill, trap, capture, or collect)
- Damage or destroy its critical habitat
- Trade or sell the species
Violations can result in criminal penalties (up to $50,000 and one year in prison, and civil penalties up to $25,000 per violation).
Applying the Same Logic to Black Communities
| For Endangered Species | For Black Americans (Proposed) |
| Protected from “taking” (harassment, harm, killing) | Protected from hate crimes, police violence, mob violence |
| Protected from habitat destruction | Protected from gentrification, displacement, redlining |
| Mandatory recovery plan | Mandatory reparations and community investment |
| Government affirmative duty to save the species | Government affirmative duty to protect Black communities |
If we can protect a butterfly with this level of urgency, we can protect Black human beings.
What Would the Black Community Protection Act Do?
The model ordinance below is designed to do three things:
1. Declare Anti-Black Discrimination a Local Civil Rights Violation
It makes it illegal to target Black people in policing, housing, employment, education, healthcare, and voting. Violations carry fines, injunctions, and potential revocation of business licenses.
2. Create a Civilian Review Board with Real Power
The ordinance establishes a board of community members (not politicians or police) with the power to:
- Investigate complaints
- Issue subpoenas for documents and testimony
- Conduct public hearings
- Levy fines
- Order remedies (back pay, housing restoration, policy changes)
3. Create Affirmative Duties on Local Government
Local agencies must actively protect Black communities:
| Agency | Duty |
| Police Department | Collect and report data on all interactions with Black residents. Any pattern of racial disparity triggers an automatic external review. |
| Housing Department | Take affirmative steps to prevent displacement, including funding Community Land Trusts, and providing legal assistance to tenants. |
| School District | Collect and report discipline, special education placement, and gifted program enrollment by race. Any disparity triggers a corrective action plan. |
| Health Department | Ensure Black residents have access to affordable healthcare, including funding community health clinics in Black neighborhoods. |
How Would This Be Helpful?
| Problem | Without the Act | With the Act |
| Police misconduct | Victim must hire a lawyer, prove intent, wait years | Civilian Review Board investigates, fines, orders policy changes |
| Gentrification | Residents are displaced with no recourse | City must take affirmative steps to prevent displacement |
| School discipline disparities | Parents complain, nothing changes | Data triggers automatic corrective action plan |
| Housing discrimination | Victim must file federal lawsuit (slow, expensive) | Local violation with fines and injunctions |
The Act shifts the burden. Instead of victims proving harm, the government must prove it is actively protecting Black communities.
How to Pass This Ordinance in Your City
Step 1: Build a Coalition
Gather community organizations, churches, NAACP chapters, tenant unions, and Black-led businesses. Present a united front.
Step 2: Find a Sponsor
Identify a city council member or county commissioner willing to introduce the ordinance. Meet with them. Answer their questions.
Step 3: Educate the Public
Host community forums. Write op-eds. Speak at council meetings. Pack the chamber.
Step 4: Present the Ordinance
Work with a local attorney to adapt the model ordinance to your city’s legal structure. Then introduce it.
Step 5: Apply Pressure
Attend every meeting. Speak at every public comment period. Bring supporters. Do not let the ordinance die in committee.
Step 6: Celebrate or Try Again
If it passes, monitor implementation. If it fails, demand a recorded vote and run a recall campaign or vote them out.
Read the Model Ordinance
Below is the full text of the model Black Community Protection Act. Adapt it to your city or county.
Download the Full Guide
For a deeper dive into protected status for species, model ordinance drafting, and advocacy strategy:
[Download Black People as a Protected Class (Demand #12 Deep Dive) – PDF]
ORDINANCE NO. [XXXX]
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF [CITY NAME] / COUNTY OF [COUNTY NAME] DECLARING ANTI-BLACK DISCRIMINATION A LOCAL CIVIL RIGHTS VIOLATION, ESTABLISHING A CIVILIAN REVIEW BOARD, AND CREATING AFFIRMATIVE DUTIES TO PROTECT BLACK COMMUNITIES
WHEREAS, Black Americans in [City/County] have experienced historic and ongoing discrimination, violence, and displacement; and
WHEREAS, existing federal and state laws have proven inadequate to prevent harm to Black communities; and
WHEREAS, the [City Council / County Commission] has the authority to enact local civil rights protections that exceed federal and state minimums; and
WHEREAS, the [City Council / County Commission] recognizes that Black people in [City/County] are under targeted attack and require enhanced legal protection;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE [CITY COUNCIL / COUNTY COMMISSION] OF [CITY/COUNTY]:
Section 1: Findings and Purpose
The [City/County] finds that anti-Black discrimination, harassment, and violence are ongoing harms that threaten the safety, health, and welfare of Black residents. The purpose of this ordinance is to:
(a) Declare anti-Black discrimination a local civil rights violation;
(b) Establish a Civilian Review Board with investigative and enforcement powers;
(c) Create affirmative duties on local government agencies to prevent harm to Black communities;
(d) Provide remedies for victims of anti-Black discrimination; and
(e) Fund community-based protective institutions.
Section 2: Definitions
As used in this ordinance:
(a) “Anti-Black discrimination” means any act that targets a person or group because they are Black or perceived to be Black, including but not limited to: hate crimes, police misconduct, housing discrimination, employment discrimination, voter suppression, educational discrimination, healthcare discrimination, and gentrification that results in the displacement of Black residents.
(b) “Black person” or “Black community” means any person who identifies as Black, African American, or of African descent, or any group of such persons.
(c) “Protected activity” means any exercise of rights under this ordinance, including reporting violations, testifying, or assisting in investigations.
Section 3: Prohibited Acts
The following acts are prohibited within [City/County]:
(a) Police misconduct – Any use of excessive force, racial profiling, unlawful stop-and-frisk, or violation of constitutional rights directed at a Black person.
(b) Housing discrimination – Any act that denies housing, sets different terms, or harasses a Black person in connection with housing, including redlining, steering, and discriminatory appraisals.
(c) Employment discrimination – Any act that discriminates against a Black person in hiring, promotion, termination, compensation, or terms of employment.
(d) Gentrification and displacement – Any pattern of development, zoning changes, tax policies, or landlord practices that have the purpose or effect of displacing Black residents from their neighborhoods.
(e) Voter suppression – Any act that impedes or discourages Black residents from registering to vote or casting a ballot, including polling place closures, voter ID requirements not applied equally to all races, and purges of voter rolls.
(f) Hate crimes – Any act of violence, intimidation, or property damage motivated by the victim’s actual or perceived race.
(g) Retaliation – Any adverse action against a person for reporting a violation of this ordinance or participating in an investigation.
Section 4: Civilian Review Board
There is hereby established a Civilian Review Board (CRB) with the following powers and duties:
(a) Composition – The CRB shall consist of [7 or 9 or 11] members, all of whom shall be residents of [City/County]. No less than 50 percent of members shall be Black. No current or former law enforcement officers shall serve on the CRB. Members shall be appointed by community organizations, not by elected officials alone.
(b) Powers – The CRB shall have the power to:
- Receive and investigate complaints of anti-Black discrimination
- Issue subpoenas for documents and testimony
- Conduct public hearings
- Levy fines of up to $10,000 per violation against individuals, and $50,000 per violation against government agencies or corporations
- Order equitable remedies, including reinstatement, back pay, housing restoration, and policy changes
- Refer criminal violations to the District Attorney’s office or state Attorney General
(c) Funding – The CRB shall be funded by redirecting no less than [5 percent] of the [City/County] police budget to the CRB’s operations. The CRB shall have independent legal counsel not controlled by the [City/County] legal department.
(d) Annual Report – The CRB shall issue an annual report documenting complaints received, investigations completed, fines levied, and recommendations for further action.
Section 5: Affirmative Duties of Local Government
Local government agencies shall have the following affirmative duties:
(a) Police Department – The police department shall collect and publicly report data on all interactions with Black residents, including stops, searches, arrests, use of force, and citations. Any pattern of racial disparity shall trigger an automatic external review.
(b) Housing Department – The housing department shall take affirmative steps to prevent displacement of Black residents, including funding Community Land Trusts, providing legal assistance to tenants facing eviction, and enforcing anti-gentrification provisions.
(c) School District – The school district shall collect and publicly report data on discipline, special education placement, and gifted program enrollment by race. Any racial disparity shall trigger a corrective action plan.
(d) Health Department – The health department shall ensure that Black residents have access to affordable healthcare, including funding community health clinics in Black neighborhoods.
Section 6: Private Right of Action
Any person who has been subjected to anti-Black discrimination in violation of this ordinance may bring a civil lawsuit in [City/County] court. Remedies may include:
- Injunctive relief (court order to stop the discrimination)
- Compensatory damages (money for harm suffered)
- Punitive damages (additional money to punish the violator)
- Reasonable attorney’s fees and costs
Section 7: Enforcement and Penalties
(a) Civil penalties – Violations of this ordinance shall result in fines as determined by the Civilian Review Board.
(b) Criminal penalties – Hate crimes and acts of violence that violate this ordinance shall be prosecuted to the fullest extent of state and federal law.
(c) Debarment – Any business found to have violated this ordinance three or more times within a five-year period shall be debarred from doing business with [City/County] for a period of five years.
Section 8: Severability
If any provision of this ordinance is found to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect.
Section 9: Effective Date
This ordinance shall take effect [30/60/90] days after passage.
PASSED AND ADOPTED this [day] day of [month], [year].
[Signature of Mayor / County Commission Chair]
[Attestation / Clerk]
Part 7: How to Advocate for the Ordinance (Step-by-Step Campaign Guide)
Phase 1: Education & Coalition Building (Months 1–3)
| Step | Action |
| 1. | Read and understand the model ordinance. Make notes. |
| 2. | Share the ordinance with 5–10 trusted people in your community (church, book club, civic group). |
| 3. | Form a small steering committee (3–7 people) committed to passing the ordinance. |
| 4. | Research your local elected officials. Who is most likely to support? Who is most likely to oppose? |
| 5. | Identify allied organizations (NAACP chapter, Black church council, urban league, tenant union, Black Lives Matter chapter, etc.). Invite them to join the coalition. |
Phase 2: Research & Customization (Months 3–4)
| Step | Action |
| 6. | Assign someone to research whether your city/county has any existing civil rights ordinances. |
| 7. | Customize the model ordinance for your local context (add local examples, adjust fine amounts, etc.). |
| 8. | Consult with a local attorney (pro bono or low-cost) to review the ordinance for legal compliance. |
| 9. | Prepare a one-page summary of the ordinance for elected officials and the public. |
Phase 3: Public Education & Outreach (Months 4–6)
| Step | Action |
| 10. | Host a community forum to explain the ordinance and gather input. |
| 11. | Collect signatures on a petition supporting the ordinance. |
| 12. | Recruit residents to attend city council/county commission meetings and speak in favor. |
| 13. | Write op-eds and letters to the editor for local newspapers and online platforms. |
| 14. | Create a simple website or landing page about the ordinance (use free tools if needed). |
Phase 4: Direct Advocacy (Months 6–9)
| Step | Action |
| 15. | Request meetings with each city council member or county commissioner. Bring a small delegation. |
| 16. | Present the ordinance. Listen to concerns. Offer to make reasonable amendments. |
| 17. | Identify a lead sponsor (an elected official willing to introduce the ordinance). |
| 18. | Prepare a public comment script for the meeting when the ordinance is introduced. |
| 19. | Pack the chamber. Fill the room with supporters wearing the same color or holding signs. |
| 20. | Speak during public comment. Be polite. Be firm. Be brief (1–3 minutes each). |
Phase 5: Final Push & Follow-Up (Months 9–12)
| Step | Action |
| 21. | If the ordinance passes: Thank the elected officials publicly. Monitor implementation. Hold the CRB accountable. |
| 22. | If the ordinance fails: Demand a recorded vote (so voters know who opposed). Run a recall campaign or vote them out in the next election. Try again with a new council. |
Part 8: Resources & Further Reading
Endangered Species Act (for analogy)
- U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service: Listing a Species as Endangered or Threatened
- ESA Basics: 50 Years of Conserving Endangered Species
Existing Black Community Protection Efforts
- Atlanta’s Community Benefits Agreement (model for local protections)
- Black Community Protection Act (proposed in various state legislatures – search for current status)
Civilian Review Boards
- National Association for Civilian Oversight of Law Enforcement (NACOLE)
- Model CRB legislation (various city examples)
Community Land Trusts (as a protective institution)
- Grounded Solutions Network (CLT training and resources)
- Dudley Neighbors Inc. (Boston’s historic CLT)
Legal Support
- NAACP Legal Defense Fund
- Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law
- Local Legal Aid or public interest law firms
Final Words
This document is a starting point, not a final answer. Laws vary by state and city. What works in Atlanta may not work in Jackson. What passes today may be challenged tomorrow.
But the principle is solid: Black people deserve the same urgency, protection, and affirmative care that we give to endangered species.
You are not asking for special treatment. You are asking for the treatment that any valuable, vulnerable, and targeted group deserves.
No one is coming to save you. But you have the power to save yourself—and to build a local government that protects you.
Now go. Attend the meeting. Speak the words. Pass the ordinance.
Disclaimer
This document is for educational and informational purposes only. Laws vary by state and city. Consult with a local attorney before introducing any ordinance. By using this information, you assume all risks and agree that neither the author nor the publisher is liable for any losses or damages.
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