The Seattle City Council on Tuesday added caste to the city’s anti-discrimination laws, becoming the first US city to specifically ban caste discrimination. Proponents of the ordinance that was approved by a 6-1 vote say caste discrimination crosses national and religious boundaries and that without such laws, those facing caste discrimination in the US will have no protections.

“The fight against caste discrimination is deeply connected to the fight against all forms of oppression,” Kshama Sawant, an Indian American Seattle City Council member, said.