Fontana leaders declared racism a public health crisis this week, joining San Bernardino County and two Riverside County cities in acknowledging the social, economic and educational inequities that exist as a result of discrimination based on race.

“Now the work begins,” Mayor Acquanetta Warren said Tuesday, July 14, after she and her colleagues unanimously approved the proclamation, which says, in part, that Fontana will initiate and support efforts “that work toward promoting a fair and just society.”

Protesters took to Fontana streets in May and June to call for an end to systemic racism and police brutality following the death of George Floyd, who died in Minneapolis police custody after a now-fired officer knelt on his neck for nearly nine minutes, an incident captured on video.

Floyd’s death sparked massive protests locally and around the country.

Fontana, which is on the cusp of passing San Bernardino as the county’s most populous city, is about 9% Black, according to the 2010 census. About 40% of residents identify as Hispanic or Latinx and 6% identify as Asian.

The proclamation recognizes that racism “causes disproportionately high rates of homelessness, incarceration, poor education, poorer health outcomes and economic hardships.”

“Fontana prides itself in being a diverse community,” Warren said in a statement, “and I am determined to eliminate barriers that reduce opportunities for people of color.”

San Bernardino County declared racism a public health crisis late last month after meeting with faith leaders, activists and members of the Black community.

Riverside and Moreno Valley followed suit, saying such proclamations would promote inclusivity and diversity.

“Change,” Warren added in her statement, “begins here in our great city.”