(A) It is the public policy of the city to provide all of its citizens equal opportunity for education, employment, access to public conveniences and accommodations and acquisition through purchase or rental of real property including but not limited to housing, and to eliminate segregation or separation based solely on race, religion, color, sex, national origin, ancestry or disability, since such segregation is an impediment to equal opportunity. Equal education and employment opportunities and equal access to and use of public accommodations and equal opportunity for acquisition of real property are hereby declared to be civil rights and rights to be protected by the city by the means provided in this chapter and the Fair Housing Chapter as set out in Chapter 93 of this code.
(B) The practice of denying these rights to properly qualified persons by reason of the race, religion, color, sex, national origin, ancestry or disability of such person is contrary to the principles of freedom and equality of opportunity and is a burden to the objectives of the public policy of this city and shall be considered as discriminatory practices. The promotion of equal opportunity without regard to race, religion, color, sex, national origin, ancestry or disability through reasonable methods is the purpose of this chapter.
(C) It is also the public policy of the city to protect employers, labor organizations, employment agencies, property owners, real estate brokers, builders and lending institutions from unfounded charges of discrimination.
(D) No person may coerce, intimidate, threaten or interfere with any other person:
(1) In the exercise or enjoyment of any right granted or protected by this chapter; or
(2) Because the person has exercised or enjoyed, or has aided or encouraged another person in the exercise or enjoyment of, any right granted or protected by this chapter.
(E) This chapter shall be construed broadly to effectuate its purpose.
(1979 Code, § 35.01) (Ord. 4235, passed 1-8-1996) Penalty, see § 10.99