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Home My WebLink About2023-10-18-LHRC-min S MopN� a � i APRIL 19"' Town of Lexington Human Rights Committee `Fx,r,°c�`' Meeting Minutes for Wednesday, Oct 18, 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) Guests: F.Jacobs, B.Dym and S.Vanevera The minutes recorded by Christina Lin, LHRC Chair A copy of the draft letter and also the finalized letter are in the addendum. Several points of discussion arose in the editing process: 1. Acknowledgement of how people and religions are vulnerable to hateful propaganda 2. Understanding that intergenerational trauma plays a role in the impact of this conflict our community members, and that it is not only felt by those who are directly connected either through religion or to the region. 3. The phrase "peace prevails" did not sit well for some members. They pointed out that `peace' can be subjective and therefore peace for one group may not mean peace for another. It was decided to rephrase to "seek peace" and acknowledge that this is always a work in progress. The final letter was approved by a vote of 6-o-o. Meeting adjourned at 6:15pm 1625 MASSACHUSETTS AVENUE•LEXINGTON,MASSACHUSETTS 02420 Addendum DRAFT letter The Lexington Human Rights Committee would like to address the impacts of the horrific violence in Israel and Gaza in recent days. We cannot begin to understand the devastation and grief inflicted on so many innocent people who are caught in a conflict, not of their making. This turmoil has impacts that extend beyond borders - affecting families, children, and communities globally. In Lexington, where Jewish, Israeli, Muslim and Palestinian communities bear the weight of the trauma, words cannot adequately express our deepest sorrow for their pain. We must not allow this moment to define the very cultures and people that have brought so much beauty and richness into this world. Please approach all information with caution. We are all too aware of the potential for misinformation leading to Anti Semitism and Islamophobia that only serves to promote hate and division. 1,2,3,4,5,6 We refuse to allow the actions of extremists to define an entire people or religion, nor justify further violence against innocent lives. There is no place for hate. It is hardest in these moments to see that we truly have more in common than not.' We cannot presume to understand the pain nor the intergenerational ripples of trauma. Ultimately, we all seek peace, love, joy, and acceptance. Please check in with your friends and neighbors.8,9 Our hope extends not only to our community in Lexington but also to the complex situation in the Middle East. May we all find the strength to heal, to listen with empathy, give grace and ultimately foster a spirit of peaceful coexistence in our world. LHRC incident reporting : Lexinctton Human Rights Committee Incident Re�ortin� Form Report incidents of anti semitism at national level: Report an Antisernitic, Bias or Discriminator Incident AUL Israel-Palestinian war: East 2 Israel-Hamas varar: Fact-oheekinc► Online misinfcarmati0n Reute s 3 Israel-Gaza conflict: when social media flakes are ramr�ant, neenrs verificatic�rr is vital 4"Fi ht" against anti-Jewish and Muslim hate "is often one that is together." says AIL raffiieial -AG3C hlevvs 5 Antisernitism—Center for Countering Digital Hate CCDH 6 Press release ' a TV 2 1 All That We Share $ 10_WaYs to Have Consc ienticaus Conversations can the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict AIL s What Y®ur Jevorish And Palestinian Friends And Cca-WcarkerS Want You To Knca 1625 MASSACHUSETTS AVENUE•LEXINGTON,MASSACHUSETTS 02420 Report incidents of islamophobia at national level: ??CAIR website is not working Final Letter Response to the Israel-Gaza Conflict The Lexington Human Rights Committee would like to address the impacts of the horrific violence in Israel and Gaza in recent days.We cannot begin to understand the magnitude of the devastation and grief inflicted on so many innocent people who are caught in a conflict, not of their making.This turmoil has impacts that extend beyond borders- affecting families, children, and communities globally. In Lexington,where Jewish, Israeli,Muslim and Palestinian communities bear the weight of the trauma,words cannot adequately express our deepest sorrow for their pain. We must not allow this moment to define cultures and people that have brought so much beauty and richness into this world. Please approach all information with caution.We are all too aware of the potential for misinformation leading to Antisemitism and Islamophobia that only serves to promote hate and division.'°,11,12,13 We refuse to allow the actions of extremists to define an entire people or religion, nor justify further violence against innocent lives.There is no place for hate. It is hardest in these moments to see that we truly have more in common than not.14 Let us endeavor to understand the pain and intergenerational ripples of trauma as we work towards peace,love,joy, and acceptance for all. Please check in with your friends and neighbors." " Our hope extends not only to our community in Lexington but also to the complex situation in the Middle East. May we find the strength to heal,to listen with empathy,give grace and ultimately foster a spirit of peaceful coexistence in our world. We strongly encourage members of the Lexington community to report incidents of harm through the LHRC incident reortin for and school-based incidents in the schools through the LPS form: E uity at LPS -Reuortin Incidents. Additionally,you can report incidents of Antisemitism with ADL NewEngland and Islamophobia to AIR-MA(Council on American-Islamic Relations-Massachusetts). 10 Israel-Hamas war: Fact-eheckinct online misinformation Reuters 11 Israel-Gaza conflict: when social media fakes are ram ant news verification is vital 12°Fight" against anti-Jewish and ft�uslim hate "is often one that is tocaether,° sa�+s AIL official -ABC News 13 Plainfield Township Homicide Press release 14 TV 2 1 All That We Share 15 10 Wa s to Have C®nscientious Conversations on the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict AIL 16 What Your Jewish And Palestinian Friends And Co-Workers Want You To Know 1625 MASSACHUSETTS AVENUE•LEXINGTON,MASSACHUSETTS 02420