HomeMy WebLinkAboutRES 21-068 CONDEMNING THE USE OF DISCRIMINATORY COVENANTS AND APPROVING PARTICIPATION IN THE JUST DEEDS COALITIONCITY OF ST. ANTHONY VILLAGE
STATE OF MINNESOTA
RESOLUTION 21-068
RESOLUTION TO CONDEMNING THE USE OF DISCRIMINATORY COVENANTS
AND APPROVING PARTICIPATION IN THE JUST DEEDS COALITION
WHEREAS, discriminatory covenants were tools used by real estate developers to prevent
BIPOC and non-Christian individuals from buying or occupying property in certain
areas, and they were common throughout the United States from the early 1900s to
the 1960s; and
WHEREAS, the purpose of discriminatory covenants was to racially and religiously homogenize
communities by excluding BIPOC and non-Christian individuals from communities.
These tools segregated the metro area and built a hidden system of apartheid; and
WHEREAS, in 2016, the University of Minnesota founded Mapping Prejudice to expose the
racist practices that shaped the landscape of the metro area. Mapping Prejudice
researched restrictive covenants in Hennepin County and created the first -ever
comprehensive map of racial covenants in an American city.
WHEREAS, restrictive covenants are no longer enforceable. Legal efforts to eliminate
Discriminatory Covenants include Shelley v. Kraemer, 334 U.S. 1 (1948), in which
the United States Supreme Court prohibited courts from enforcing Discriminatory
Covenants and the Minnesota legislature in 1953 enacted statutes that prohibited
new covenants, but existing covenants were still legal in Minnesota until 1962; and
WHEREAS, as a result of these judicial and legislative actions, today, Minnesota law and federal
law prohibit discrimination in the sale or lease of housing based on race, color,
creed, religion, national origin, sex, marital status, status with regard to public
assistance, disability, sexual orientation, or familial status and those state and federal
prohibitions extend to the refusal to sell or to circulate, post or cause to be printed,
circulated, or posted, any limitation, specification, or discrimination as to race, color,
creed, religion, national origin, sex, marital status, status with regard to public
assistance, disability, sexual orientation, or familial status; and
WHEREAS, in 2019, the Minnesota Legislature passed a law authorizing property owners to
individually discharge or renounce discriminatory covenants by recording a
discharge form in the county property records; and.
WHEREAS, discriminatory covenants promoted and established residential racial segregation,
which historically and currently has impacted property ownership, accumulation of
wealth, property transfers, mortgage eligibility, rental eligibility, property values,
property tax base, intemet access, and more. Discriminatory covenants fortified
systemic racism, benefitted White communities, and compounded economic
divestment in specific communities within Hennepin County; and
WHEREAS, the City of Saint Anthony Village recognizes the harm that Discriminatory
Covenants —and the racial, religious, and other discriminatory practices that they
represent --cause to society in general and to the individuals who are adversely
affected by racial, religious, and other discrimination through the presence of
discriminatory covenants in the public land records.
WHEREAS, the City of Saint Anthony Village encourages property owners to take the actions
necessary to discharge racially restrictive covenants from their property to help
ensure Saint Anthony is a welcoming Village for everyone.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, City of Saint Anthony Village disavows the past use of
discriminatory covenants and directs staff to participate in the work of the Just Deeds Coalition.
Adopted this 28th day of Sentember, 2021.
ATTEST:
Ciley Clerk
Review for Administration:
Charlie Yunker, City Manager