Judge denies state's motion to stop Fayetteville civil rights ordinance

September 21, 2017 at 4:54 p.m.

by Stacy Ryburn

NWA Democrat-Gazette/ANDY SHUPE Participants hold signs and flags at College Avenue and Dickson Street on Feb. 24 during a rally in reaction to the state Supreme Court decision finding the city’s ordinance extending protections to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender residents violates state law.
NWA Democrat-Gazette/ANDY SHUPE Participants hold signs and flags at College Avenue and Dickson Street on Feb. 24 during a rally in reaction to the state Supreme Court decision finding the city’s ordinance extending protections to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender residents violates state law.

FAYETTEVILLE -- A judge ruled Thursday the city's civil rights ordinance remains in effect.

Washington County Circuit Court Judge Doug Martin denied the state's request to halt enforcement of the ordinance, which voters approved in 2015.

Ordinance 5781 affords lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender residents the right to appeal discrimination, such as being fired from a job or evicted, to the city.

Opposition group Protect Fayetteville sued and the state intervened. The American Civil Liberties Union of Arkansas intervened on the city's side.

NW News on 09/21/2017

Upcoming Events