In September, Arlington suspended its anti-discrimination ordinance based on a mistake.
Suspending the ordinance resulted in discrimination no longer being illegal under the city code.
We urge the City Council to reject the new ordinance, whic permanently deletes the language, making discrimination illegal in city code.
The city was misled by claims that keeping these protections would cost Arlington $65 million in federal grants. These claims were wrong, and the city couldn't produce any documentation to verify the claims.
Of the more than 1,000 cities receiving the same HUD funding, only Arlington abandoned local civil rights protections.
Tell Arlington City Council to reject this “say a lot, do-nothing ordinance.” This ordinance compromises civil rights, compromises accountability, and compromises Arlington's moral responsibility to keep residents safe.
Arlington deserves better.
What does the do-nothing ordinance say?
WHEREAS, on September 9, 2025, the City Council approved Ordinance No. 25-068, temporarily suspending the application and enforcement of the “AntiDiscrimination” Chapter of the Code of the City of Arlington, Texas, 1987; and
WHEREAS, the City of Arlington stands steadfast in its commitment to the rights of every individual to work and earn wages through gainful employment, to obtain and enjoy goods and services, facilities and accommodations in places of public accommodation, and to obtain housing: in short, to strive to make the City a place where every citizen can achieve the American dream; and
WHEREAS, the protection of such rights has been enshrined into law at the federal and state levels; and
WHEREAS, those federal and state laws include, but are not limited to, the Civil Rights Acts of 1957, 1964 and 1967, the Equal Pay Act of 1963, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, the Pregnancy Discrimination Act of 1978, the Texas Commission on Human Rights Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the Civil Rights Act of 1991, and the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act; and
WHEREAS, the City of Arlington seeks to educate residents regarding their rights under such laws; NOW THEREFORE
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARLINGTON, TEXAS: 1. That Ordinance No. 25-068, approved by City Council on September 9, 2025, is hereby rescinded.
Why does this matter?
This ordinance says a lot but does nothing to protect the civil rights of Arlington residents, enshrined into law at the federal and state levels. It merely seeks to educate residents regarding their rights under such laws rather than requiring the city to protect our rights. This impacts everyone. Discrimination based on race, gender, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, and all other protected classes now just receives lip service from the city of Arlington and leaves residents on their own when faced with discrimination.
Take action
Facts matter — but action does too. Here’s how you can help keep Arlington fair, accurate, and accountable
The Question Isn’t If Discrimination Is Wrong — It’s whether Arlington will keep the law that says so.
The only question is whether our city will continue to protect everyone. We can protect people and funding. We can be accurate and fair. That’s the Arlington we believe in.
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