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Democratic state legislators urge Republicans to reconsider bills on diversity

Two arms reaching up, one dark-skinned and one light-skinned, both doing peace signs against a blurred background of trees
Priscilla Du Preez
/
Unsplash

The Utah House and Senate Democrats released a statement Monday morning asking their legislative colleagues to reconsider bills against diversity equity and inclusion efforts.

This comes after several such bills have been brought to the legislature. HB451 would prevent state universities from asking for diversity, equity and inclusion statements from professors and students; SB 283 would defund all diversity, equity and inclusion efforts at the university level; and HB 427 would prohibit teachers from talking about discrimination and racism in school, as well as exposing students to “an environment, displays or instruction” that would make them confront a “sincerely held belief, value or standard” taught at home.

The statement said the House and Senate Democrats “stand in solidarity with people of color in Utah and across the nation” and that they “will continue to work toward a future where everyone can thrive.”

Duck is a general reporter and weekend announcer at UPR, and is studying broadcast journalism and disability studies at USU. They grew up in northern Colorado before moving to Logan in 2018, so the Rocky Mountain life is all they know. Free time is generally spent with their dog, Monty, listening to podcasts, reading or wishing they could be outside more.