LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) - Leaders of a Kansas city have pledged to make systemic racism a key budget priority in upcoming years.
The Lawrence City Commission on Saturday outlined the goal as part of the city’s new strategic plan, the Lawrence Journal-World reported. The goal is that the city “intentionally acknowledges, removes, and prevents barriers created by systemic and institutional injustice.”
The plan will be used to guide city budget decisions for the next three years.
The decision comes as protesters in Kansas and across the U.S. take to the streets to speak out against racial injustice and the death of George Floyd in Minnesota police custody.
Lawrence City Commissioner Lisa Larsen Larsen said incremental progress is not enough.
“We must no longer be timid,” Larsen said. “We must be bold, deliberate and thoughtful.”
Lawrence hired The Novak Consulting Group to help complete the strategic plan.
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