Update:In an 8-0 vote, the Fayetteville City Council passed a resolution declaring racism a public health emergency in the city.The resolution was passed on Tuesday, August 18.The resolution was written by Fayetteville’s African American Advisory Council, and recommended a series of action steps to dedicate more resources to racial equity work.“It means the city is going to become more intentional and deliberate as it relates to addressing systemic and institutional racism,” said D’Andre Jones, Chairman of the Fayetteville African American Advisory Council.Jones said passing the resolution will allow more resources to be allocated to address systemic racism as it relates to poverty, workforce development and other areas.About 80 other cities across the nation have passed similar resolutions.Fayetteville is the first in Arkansas.Jones hopes other communities in our state will follow suit.Original Story:Tonight, Fayetteville City Council will review a resolution declaring racism as a public health emergency. D’Andre jones said he’s been working on this resolution for about a year. Tonight, is the first time the resolution will be read to the Fayetteville City Council. “We know that change is necessary, change is slow, but change is good,” said D’Andre Jones, Chairman of Mayor Jordan African American Advisory Council.Fayetteville council member Sonia Gutierrez says Mayor Lioneld Jordan is bringing the resolution forward in tonight’s city council meeting. “And that’s a rare thing, and when the mayor brings something forward, that’s quite a statement,” Sonia Gutierrez said.D’Andre said the biggest proposed change is allocating recourses to create better economic, social and medical opportunities for African Americans in Fayetteville.“This is designed to lift the Black community, because over 400 years this has impacted African Americans' emotional and physical support,” Jones said.