April 21, 2026
City Attorney's Office
DATE: April 21, 2026
TO: Mayor Martinez and Members of the City Council
FROM:
Shannon Moore, Interim City Attorney
Dallae Chin, Senior Assistant City Attorney
Brandi Robinson, Assistant City Attorney
Subject:
Establishing a Commitment to Caste Equity and the
Prevention of Caste-Based Discrimination
FINANCIAL IMPACT: Adoption of the resolution and ordinance may require modest costs for staff training, development of reporting mechanisms, and educational initiatives. These costs can be absorbed into existing diversity, equity, and inclusion program budgets or incorporated into future budget
allocations.
PREVIOUS COUNCIL
ACTION:
None.
STATEMENT OF THE
ISSUE:
The City of Richmond seeks to ensure that all residents are protected from discrimination and inequity. Caste-
based discrimination, though less visible in U.S. law and practice, has been documented within employment,
housing, education, and public services across
communities. This resolution formally establishes the
City’s commitment to caste equity and adds caste as a
protected category under the jurisdiction of the City’s Human Rights and Human Relations Commission, and
creates pathways for education, reporting, and
enforcement.
On January 26, 2026, the Human Rights and Human
Relations Commission (HRHR Commission) unanimously
approved recommending that the City Council adopt the
caste discrimination resolution adding caste as a
AGENDA
REPORT
April 21, 2026
protected category within the jurisdiction of the City’s Human Rights and Human Relations Commission.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
ADOPT a resolution establishing a Commitment to Caste
Equity and the Prevention of Caste-Based Discrimination and INTRODUCE an ordinance (first reading) amending
sections 3.58.010, 3.58.020, and 3.58.060 of the
Richmond Municipal Code to add caste as a protected
category within the jurisdiction of the City’s Human Rights and Human Relations Commission – City Attorney’s
Office (Shannon Moore 510-620-6505/Dallae Chin 510-
620-5517/Brandi Robinson 510-620-5518).
DISCUSSION:
Richmond has a longstanding commitment to diversity, inclusion, and equity.
Discrimination in all forms undermines these values and harms individuals’ ability to fully participate in community life.
Caste, a system of social stratification based on hereditary status, creates barriers to equality by restricting access to opportunities and fostering prejudice. Studies and reports have shown that caste-based discrimination affects workplaces, schools, housing, and civic participation even in diaspora communities in the United States.
While federal and state civil rights frameworks protect against many forms of discrimination, caste has not been explicitly recognized in most policies. Richmond’s adoption of this resolution aligns with the City’s principles of equity and its role as a leader in advancing civil and human rights.
The resolution affirms the City’s commitment to caste equity through the following measures (Attachment 1):
1. Affirmation of Caste Equity
The City of Richmond affirms its commitment to caste equity and condemns caste-based discrimination in any form within the community.
2. Protection Against Caste-based Discrimination
The City will include caste as a protected category within the jurisdiction of the City’s Human Rights and Human Relations Commission, with the objective of protecting residents from caste-based discrimination in City employment, housing, education, and access to public services.
3. Training and Education
The City’s Human Rights and Human Relations Commission will be empowered to conduct training programs for City employees, law enforcement, and
April 21, 2026
community leaders to recognize, prevent, and address caste-based discrimination, and to promote educational initiatives to raise awareness among the general public about the harms of caste discrimination.
4. Reporting and Enforcement Mechanisms
Incidents of caste-based discrimination occurring within the City will be reported to the City’s Human Rights and Human Relations Commission. Residents will be encouraged to report any violations, and appropriate actions will be taken to address and resolve such complaints.
5. Community Engagement
The City’s Human Rights and Human Relations Commission will be empowered to engage with community organizations, advocacy groups, and affected communities within the City to collaborate on efforts to combat caste-based discrimination and promote equity and inclusion.
6. Review and Accountability
The City Council will regularly review the effectiveness of these measures and make necessary adjustments to ensure the ongoing commitment to caste equity is upheld.
Richmond Municipal Code Chapter 3.58 lists race, religion, color, sex, ancestry, marital status, familial status, economic status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, weight, height, place of birth, and disability as protected categories within the jurisdiction of the Human Rights and Human Relations Commission. The proposed ordinance amends applicable sections of Chapter 3.58 to add caste as an additional protected category within the jurisdiction of the commission (Attachment 2).
DOCUMENTS ATTACHED:
Attachment 1 – Resolution Establishing a Commitment to Caste Equity and the Prevention of Caste-Based Discrimination
Attachment 2 – Ordinance Amending Sections 3.58.010, 3.58.020, and 3.58.060 of the Richmond Municipal Code