In the City of Middletown, New York, with its population
consisting of people of various races, creeds, colors and national
origins, there is no greater danger to the health, morals, safety
and welfare of the City and its inhabitants than the existence of
groups and individuals reflecting prejudice against one another and
antagonism toward each other because of differences of race, creed,
color, sex, disability or national origin. The Common Council hereby
finds and declares that acts of prejudice, intolerance, bigotry and
discrimination which deny a person the opportunity to sell, purchase,
lease, rent or obtain financing for the purchase or lease of housing
accommodations because of race, creed, color, sex, disability or national
origin threaten the fundamental rights and privileges of the inhabitants
of the City of Middletown, New York, and undermine the foundation
of a free and democratic state. The Common Council further declares
it to be public policy of the City of Middletown, New York, to eliminate
and prevent discrimination and involuntary segregation based on race,
creed, color, sex, disability or national origin and to safeguard
the right of every person to sell, purchase, lease, rent or obtain
financing for the purchase or lease of housing accommodations without
regard to race, creed, color, sex, disability or national origin.