Residents urge Billings council to adopt nondiscrimination ordinance amid recent hate incidents

Several residents used the public‑comment period at the Billings City Council work session to press the newly sworn council to consider adopting a nondiscrimination ordinance that would add local protections and clarify enforcement for hate‑motivated incidents.

Tucker Colvin, who lives in the North Park neighborhood, said he had compiled a report on hate and discrimination and would share it with council members. “A nondiscrimination ordinance provides a reporting and enforcement tool and sends a message to community members that we see hate and discrimination as a serious issue here,” Colvin said.

Katie Harrison of the South Side told the council she had researched local incidents, including recent swastika vandalism and an episode she described involving neo‑Nazis, and said Billings is the largest Montana city without an NDO. “We need a loud, strong, unified voice, and Billings is the only major city in our state to not have an NDO,” Harrison said.

Shay Reiser recounted past efforts to pass an NDO in Billings, including a prior council vote she said killed protections for the LGBT community, and urged the council to revisit the issue. Several other speakers — including Sonia Davis, a downtown business owner — said adopting an NDO would empower victims to bring civil complaints and would signal inclusivity.

Council members did not take formal action on the ordinance at the meeting; the public‑comment segment occurred at the start of the work session and those comments were recorded for council consideration. The council agenda for next week includes administrative items and several items staff said must return with formal proposals if council wishes to act.

Next step: Public commenters asked councilmembers to bring the NDO issue forward during the new term so the body can consider testimony and any draft ordinance in a future meeting.