Page 24 - The Indian EYE 042426

NORTH AMERICAN Newsline APRIL 24, 2026 | The Indian Eye 24

NYC Commission on Human Rights and the Mayor’s Office of

Immigrant Affairs Release Updated Immigrant Rights Resources

Ahead of NYC Immigrant Heritage Week, a new one-page guide available

in 10 languages expands access to protections under the NYC Human Rights Law.

OUR BUREAU rights and protections,” said Faiza N.
Ali, Commissioner of the Mayor’s Of-
New York, NY
fice of Immigrant Affairs.
he NYC Commission on “Through strong interagency col-
Human Rights (CCHR) in laboration across city government,
Tpartnership with the May- we are working to ensure immigrant
or’s Office of Immigrant Affairs New Yorkers receive consistent, accu-
(MOIA) has announced the release rate information and can fully access
of updated immigrant rights resourc- the resources and services available to
es designed to ensure that more New them. Knowledge of fair employment
Yorkers can understand and exercise and fair housing rights is essential to
their rights under the NYC Human building stability and opportunity for
Rights Law. all in our city.”
The new one-page guide is avail- Under the NYC Human Rights
able in 10 languages and can be eas- Law, it is illegal to discriminate against
ily printed and shared by families, someone based on their actual or per-
community organizations, schools, ceived citizenship status or national
and City agencies to make it easi- rights can feel overwhelming, espe- of a broader citywide effort to support origin in housing, employment, and
er to reach New Yorkers where they cially across language barriers. Now, immigrant New Yorkers, celebrate public accommodations.
are and expand how information is more important ever, it is important to their contributions, and reaffirm that CCHR is the agency responsi-
shared across generations. This an- provide clear, accessible resources to the City proudly stands with them.” ble for enforcing the NYC Human
nouncement comes during NYC Im- help New Yorkers understand and ex- “Human rights are foundational Rights Law, one of the most compre-
migrant Heritage Week, celebrating ercise their rights under the New York to the dignity and well-being of every hensive civil rights laws in the nation.
the city’s diverse cultural heritage and City Human Rights Law,” said Chris- New Yorker. We are proud to partner The Commission works to promote
the many contributions of immigrant tine Clarke, Commissioner and Chair with the NYC Commission on Hu- equality and combat discrimination
New Yorkers. of the New York City Commission on man Rights to ensure this information in New York City through law en-
“At a time when immigrant rights Human Rights. “Launching these re- is communicated clearly and accessi- forcement, community relations, and
are under attack, navigating your sources at this critical moment is part bly, so all residents understand their public education.

Seattle unveils life-sized statue of Swami Vivekananda

OUR BUREAU ate said in the statement.
Mayor Katie Wilson, in her speech, under-
Seattle, WA
scored that the installation of the Swami Vivekanan-
n yet another historic first, the City of Seattle da Monument (SVM) in Seattle reflects the city’s
has become the first city government in the inclusive spirit and further strengthens cultural ties
IUnited States to host a life-size statue of Swa- between India and the diverse metropolitan tech
mi Vivekananda at the Westlake Square Park in the hub in the US Pacific Northwest.
center of downtown Seattle. The Swami Vivekananda Monument is a gift
The life-size bronze statue was jointly unveiled from the Indian Council of Cultural Relations
today by Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson and Consul Gen- (ICCR) to the City of Seattle in recognition of the
eral of India in Seattle, the Consulate said on Saturday. city’s rich multicultural character and spirit of inclu-
Sharing the details in an official statement, the sivity and as such, it was befitting that the event was
Consulate said that this monument is the first in- held on the occasion of the celebration of ICCR Day.
stallation of Swami Vivekananda, which is hosted The installation of SVM is part of India’s broader
by a city government anywhere in the United States. cultural diplomacy initiative, facilitated through
It is located at the prestigious “Westlake Square” in ICCR and aims to strengthen people-to-people
downtown Seattle, which is a unique melting spot ties between India and the US Pacific Northwest.
in the center of the city that records over 400,000 Swami Vivekananda was a renowned philoso-
daily visits and millions of visitors each month and Dana Ralph; Mayor of Auburn Nancy Backus; pher and spiritual leader who introduced Vedanta
is within walking distance of the Spheres (Ama- Mayor of TukwilaTom McLeod; Mayor of Norman- and Yoga to the West.
zon HQrs), Seattle Convention Center and Seattle dy Park Eric Zimmerman; and Mayor of Kirkland The installation in Seattle is sculpted by the
Center Monorail. Kelly Curtis. A large number of community leaders prominent Indian sculptor Naresh Kumar Ku-
The unveiling ceremony was attended by sever- from the Indian American diaspora and members mawat. With over 600 installations across more
al dignitaries from the Greater Seattle area, includ- of city councils of Bellevue, Bothell, Dupont and than 80 countries, his works serve as cultural icons
ing Mayor of Seattle Katie Wilson; Mayor of Kent Redmond also joined in the ceremony, the Consul- of India across continents.

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