ASHEVILLE, N.C. (WLOS) — The City of Asheville has voted to amend its rules and end race-based appointments to its Human Relations Commission.
All applicants will now be evaluated solely on their individual merits, without consideration of race or ethnicity.
This change comes as a direct result of a federal lawsuit filed by Asheville residents. The suit, filed in 2023, alleged that five residents who applied to serve on the commission were kept from filling board vacancies because they’re white.
The Human Relations Commission of Asheville (HRCA), per its website, will be comprised of up to nine members appointed by the Asheville City Council, all of whom are eligible to serve two consecutive two-year terms…