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These actions order the US Department of Justice to stop using private prisons and strengthen enforcement of anti-discrimination in housing.
US President Joe Biden on Tuesday signed four executive actions as part of his program to promote “racial equity” for Americans.
“We need to open America’s Promise to all Americans. And that means we need to address the issue of racial equity, not just this year for one department. “He has to be in business across government,” Biden said before signing the White House actions.
Actions direct US Department of Justice to end use of private prisons, strengthen anti-discrimination enforcement in the housing market, underscore federal government’s commitment to Native American tribal sovereignty and condemn anti-Asian prejudices.
“These are just a few of the first steps,” said Susan Rice, Biden’s domestic policy adviser.
“It’s not just welfare policies. The proof is clear, investing in stocks is good for economic growth. And that creates jobs for all Americans, ”she added.
Biden tweeted ahead of the signing event, “America never kept its foundational promise of equality for all, but we never stopped trying. Today I will take action to advance racial equity and move closer to that more perfect union that we have always strived to be.
America never kept its foundational promise of equality for all, but we never stopped trying. Today I will take action to promote racial fairness and bring us closer to that more perfect union that we have always strived to be.
– President Biden (@POTUS) January 26, 2021
The executive measures signed by Biden on Tuesday are part of a package taken by the new Democratic president to roll back the policies of his Republican predecessor Donald Trump and promote the racial justice reforms he has pledged to address during The electoral campaign.
According to the new policies, the Justice Department will not renew contracts with operators of private prisons. Advocates said private prisons have contributed to an increase in incarceration rates and have mistreated inmates.
“Mass incarceration imposes significant costs on our society and our communities, while private prisons benefit federal prisoners under conditions that are less secure for prisoners and correctional officers,” the Biden administration said in a file. of information.
Supporters of criminal justice and police reform have called for a broader set of political measures, including banning the death penalty and reducing the transfer of military equipment to local law enforcement.
Talks in Congress on police reform stalled at the end of Trump’s presidency despite a protests related to incidents including the death of a black man named George floyd in custody in Minneapolis in May 2020.
“Those eight minutes and 46 seconds that claimed the life of George Floyd opened the eyes of millions of Americans and millions of people around the world,” Biden said. “It marked a turning point in this country’s attitude towards racial justice.”
The fair housing policy recently announced by the Biden administration will require the Department of Housing and Urban Development to investigate and counteract the racially discriminatory effects of previous policies.
“The Fair Housing Act obliges the federal government to promote fair housing and to combat discrimination in housing, including that which appears neutral but which has an unjustified discriminatory effect in practice,” states the fact sheet of administration.
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