The US Conference of Mayors (USCM) and the ADL have announced a joint plan to fight extremism and bigotry and to promote justice and equality in response to the disturbing hate and violence in Charlottesville, Va.

Approximately 270 mayors from across the country representing USCM, including five from Colorado, have pledged to implement the plan.

USCM partnered with ADL to develop the 10-point “Mayors’ Compact to Combat Hate, Extremism and Bigotry.”

Mayors have committed to speak out against all acts of hate; punish bias-motivated violence to the fullest extent of the law; encourage more anti-bias and anti-hate education in schools and police forces, using ADL experts and resources for both; encourage community activities celebrating their population’s cultural and ethnic diversity; and ensure civil rights and hate crimes laws are aggressively enforced.

“Throughout our country’s history, many mayors have been strong proponents of civil rights and have actively opposed racism and bigotry,” ADL Mountain States Regional Director Scott Levin said in a statement.

“We are grateful that Mayor Michael B. Hancock of Denver, Mayor Suzanne Jones of Boulder, Mayor Steve Hogan of Aurora, Mayor Tom Norton of Greeley and Mayor John Suthers of Colorado Springs have so boldly expressed their commitment to combatting hate, extremism and bigotry.

“These mayors and the many other Colorado mayors we hope will soon join them have demonstrated leadership by promoting the fundamental principles of justice and equality that define America.”