Philadelphia, PA – October 16, 2025 − Senator Art Haywood (D-4) joined Philadelphia City Council to commemorate International Dignity Month. Councilmember Anthony Phillips introduced a proclamation to the Council floor to bring official city recognition to the occasion and to honor Senator Haywood’s ongoing work to protect the dignity of neighbors across the Commonwealth.
Statement to Philadelphia City Council from Senator Art Haywood
Good morning, Council President Johnson and members of this body.
I am honored to join you as we celebrate Dignity Month 2025, a time to affirm one simple but powerful truth: Whether Black, Brown, or White, rich or poor, rural or urban, and however you identify, we all have dignity.
International Dignity Day began in 2005 and is recognized on the third Wednesday of October. This year, that day falls on October 15. Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Muhammad Ali, and Peter Gabriel were among its first supporters. They did so because they saw the urgency of addressing dignity violations around the world, including poverty, racism, and more.
The core of Dignity Day is rooted in an African standard: “I am because we are.”
This city is one of the greatest examples of that ideal. We recognize the dignity of all Philadelphians — Hispanic, African American, Asian American, Palestinian, LGBTQ, people of all faiths, and more.
Over 100 countries protect dignity in their constitutions, including Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, South Africa, Spain, Italy, and Japan. After the Holocaust, Germany enshrined dignity in its constitution. After apartheid, South Africa did the same.
But today, we continue to see terrible violations of dignity.
When I look at the world, I am glad that hostages are being released, but I am also mindful that the United Nations has found starvation, crimes against humanity, and genocide in Gaza.
When I look at our nation, I see contempt and cruel raids against immigrants, Black and Brown communities being targeted, and even the threat of prosecution for dissent.
We know that contempt denies dignity, and contempt leads to violence.
In Harrisburg, we have failed to pass the state budget because of Senate GOP opposition, as essential services for everyday people are threatened or halted.
And when I look closer to home, I see businesses paying $10, $12, or $14 per hour, even businesses right across the street from this very building, while groceries and rent are through the roof.
Yet, even in the face of these efforts to violate dignity, we also see those who are working to protect and uphold it.
We see this through Council President Johnson and myself. We may disagree, but we find ways to move forward and uplift our neighbors across this city and Commonwealth.
Our dignity is bigger than our differences.
This Council represents the dignity of our people.
Later today, we will hold a Dignity Teach-In at the Woodmere Museum, and another at Arcadia University, to continue advancing the cause of dignity.
This City Council proclamation upholds our shared dignity.
I want to thank Councilmember Anthony Phillips for your vision and partnership in bringing this proclamation forward. Thank you, Council President Kenyatta Johnson, for your steadfast commitment to the values that bind our city together.
And to Mayor Cherelle Parker, thank you for fighting every day to protect the dignity of every Philadelphian by making our city cleaner, greener, safer, and full of economic opportunity for all.
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