The amendment to Muncie’s human rights statutes in the city ordinance that passed at the monthly City Council meeting on the night of April 6 will go into effect April 7, something Muncie Mayor Dennis Tyler said is “unprecedented.”
The resolution states the city's opposition to the Religious Freedom Restoration Act signed by Indiana Gov. Mike Pence. Normally when the City Council votes, it takes anywhere from 30 to 60 days for the law to go into effect.
“For [City Council] to do this all in one regularly scheduled City Council meeting was really unprecedented and it shows the importance of amending our human rights statutes for the city council to do this the way they did it,” Tyler said.
Tyler said City Council was showing concerns with Indiana’s Religious Freedom Restoration Act the way it was passed originally, and also with the clarification Governor Mike Pence passed.
“It was still opening up areas for discrimination,” Tyler said.
This ordinance protects those regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, race, religion, military standing or ethnicity.
“We wanted to make sure all of those classes of citizens in Muncie were protected from discrimination,” Tyler said.
He said the ordinance makes it clear that Muncie welcomes everyone.
“We respect and welcome diversity in our community,” Tyler said. “At the end of the day we want everybody to know that they’re welcome, that they’re not going to be discriminated against.”
Read More
MPD and BSU PD investigate shooting in 900 Block of W Carson St
By Staff Reports / 26 minutes agoMuncie Police Department (MPD) and the Ball State University Police (BSU PD) are investigating a shooting in 900 Block of W Carson St, according to a message sent out early morning of Nov. 2.
Ball State field hockey clinches 5th seed in MAC Tournament with win against Bellarmine
By Kyle Smedley / 2 hours agoThe Cardinals beat the Knights 2-1 in the culmination of a roller coaster regular season.
Miller Phillips hits 100 MAC wins as Carindals dispatch of Eastern Michigan
By Daniel Kehn / 4 hours agoBall State sweeps Eastern Michigan as head coach Kelli Miller Phillips earned her 100th MAC win with the victory.
