HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-10-11-LHRC-min S MopN�
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APRIL 19"' Town of Lexington Human Rights Committee
`Fx,r,°c�`' Meeting Minutes for Wednesday, Oct ii, 2023
Conducted in remotely on Zoom
LHRC MEMBERS PRESENT
Christina Lin, Chair(CL); Stephanie Hsu,Vice-Chair(SH); Mona D. Roy(MDR);Amber Iqbal (Al);
Larry Freeman- Lexington Public School District (LF); Lieutenant Colleen Dunbar-Town of Lexington
Police (CD); Melissa Interess -Town of Lexington, Human Services (MI)
The minutes recorded by Christina Lin, LHRC Chair
1. The Chair acknowledged the violence that erupted in Israel and Palestine this weekend has
been heartbreaking. There are many people in the Lexington community and surrounding
area who have been impacted. This is a time when strong emotions and even conflicting
feelings are being surfaced. We must be compassionate and supportive to all who are
deeply shaken by these events.
2. Finalize Committee goals (I move that we approve these goals to submitted)
Old Goal: Increase resilience of the community against divisive rhetoric
Updated Goal:
The Lexington Human Rights Committee endeavors to foster a community centered on the
shared values of humanity.
Our multi-year goal is to increase the strength of the community by reducing divisive rhetoric.
Only when we are able to see that we have more in common than not, are we able to unlock
possibilities for a shared future together.
We believe this work is rooted in grassroots efforts involving relationship-building, community
programming and training. In doing so, we work towards a community where we all belong
because a true democracy can only be honored when all people are included.
We ask the Select Board and Town of Lexington to support our work in
a. Building and maintaining connections to the affinity and interest groups
b. Developing programming that support continued community education and awareness
around issues that impact vulnerable populations
c. Offering training around civil dialogue and bystander skills
d. Serving as a resource to Town committees, departments and organizations
1625 MASSACHUSETTS AVENUE•LEXINGTON,MASSACHUSETTS 02420
3. LHRC events updates
a. Collaborative Reform event: "Breaking Down Stigma about Mental Health,
Neurodiversity and Less Visible Disabilities" (Stephanie to talk about this)
b. MLK Planning update -The planning group is looking at representation - Dr.
King's work in the civil rights movement advocating for voting rights, sacrifices
made in the movement and understanding the historical context of the fight for
these rights. The event will be in-person and Superintendent Hackett has offered to
help with CORI approval of volunteers in light of interest to offer childcare.
4. Co-sponsorship request:
a. SEPAC/SEPTA, Dyslexia Awareness Month. A Talk by Dr. Shaywiwtz on
"Dyslexia: What 21st Century Science Has Taught Us" will take place on
Monday, November 6th in the LHS auditorium. The committee discussed the
importance of supporting programs that raise awareness and understanding of
needs of vulnerable populations and that this event helps to support the dyslexia
community. Committee voted to co-sponsor the SEPAC/SEPTA event (vote was
unanimous).
5. Unexpected Items Not Reasonably Anticipated in Advance
a. Indigenous Peoples' Day-Would we be interested in supporting the idea of
Lexington hosting (Stephanie will talk about this).
Question about budget/funding for the event.
b. Lexington Lyceum -A quick reminder to help spread the word about our
co-sponsored event on "Why Can't We Talk to Each Other"
c. IAL Diwali celebration at the end of the month of October (actual date is Nov 12)
6. We are following up on several incidents reported to us through the LHRC website:
a. 2 from LPS
b. 2 community based
7. Chair/Vice-Chair update: Shared that the Chair and Vice Chair wants to:
a. Explore creating an exit interview/survey for LHRC members stepping down
b. Build in a practice of meeting with different cultural and affinity groups
8. Farewell to Melissa Interess -The committee expressed appreciation and gratitude for
Melissa's support and involvement with the LHRC and sent well wishes for her new
endeavors.
9. Meeting Adjourned at 2:58pm
1625 MASSACHUSETTS AVENUE•LEXINGTON,MASSACHUSETTS 02420