HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-02-14-LHRC-minTown of Lexington
Lexington Human Rights Committee
Meeting Minutes for Wednesday,February 14,2024
Conducted in remotely on Zoom
LHRC MEMBERS PRESENT
Christina Lin,Chair (CL);Stephanie Hsu,Vice-Chair (SH);Lois Bruss (LB);Amber Iqbal (AI);Lieutenant
Colleen Dunbar -Town of Lexington Police (CD);Dana Bickelman -Town of Lexington,Human Services
(DB)
The minutes recorded by Christina Lin,LHRC Chair
1.Call to order 8:55AM
2.Approve Jan 10,2024 meeting minutes
3.Discussion on addition of a second monthly meeting to get through LHRC business.
Committee members decided to try also meeting on the 4th Wednesday of the month starting
at 9am.
4.Committee members in unanimous vote agreed to co-sponsoring two upcoming community
events.Fliers were shared with committee members to help publicize the event.
a.Tree of Life (register-https://forms.gle/gmYTgnRYLXujTRch6 )
A film screening and multi-faith panel discussion on Tuesday,March 5,7-9 pm at
Lexington High School,251 Waltham Street.Please join us for a community screening of
Repairing the World:Stories from the Tree of Life,a documentary film about
Pittsburgh’s inspiring response to the murderous white supremacist hate and
antisemitism that took 11 lives and shook the community.This event is co-sponsored by
Lexington High School and Lexington United Against Antisemitism (LUAA),a new
multi-faith and broad-based community group.A panel and small group discussions will
follow the screening.
b.Parent Academy:The annual LPS Parent Academy event taking place on March 23rd,
2024,from 10:00 AM -2:15 PM
5.The Planning board will open an application process and have invited the LHRC for feedback
on future applications.(https://lexingtonma.portal.opengov.com/records/86244)Feedback
due on March 7th.Stephanie Ryan will reach out to Abby McCabe to learn more about the
application.
6.Reviewed possible ideas for committee goals.
7.Committee member updates
a.Black History Month
b.CRG update -Hoping to create an event to offer resources for families in Mental Health
1625 MASSACHUSETTS AVENUE •LEXINGTON,MASSACHUSETTS 02420
c.Lexington United Against Antisemitism Group -they are hosting a conversation on a
documentary titled “Constantine’s Sword”.
d.MLK Day -Share photos of MLK Day with Jonas Miller
e.CD -recommended that
8.Updating committee members on concerns about the LHRC communicated to the Chair and
Select Board.
The Chair shared that there has been an incident submitted to the LHRC and Select Board
concerning a committee member’s private social media postings on the war in Israel and Gaza.
The Chair,Vice Chair and Select Board liaison have been working behind the scenes to address
the matter and believe it is important for committee members to be informed on some aspects
of this issue directly.The Chair and Vice Chair shared that this was a moment where patience
and calling in are important to healing for all parties involved.
The LHRC member shared their perspective and experience living in town and a concern that
not all perspectives are always given the same level of respect.They expressed openness to find
a way to have a discussion and learn from each other and build connection.
A public comment -a community member (D.N.)expressed their frustration about this
situation and that the social media postings were deeply hurtful to many in their community,
including a mother and son who lost their husband/father from the terrorist attack on Oct.7.
2024.They reiterated their sense of urgency in bringing resolution to the concerns that people
from their community in Lexington had raised.
9.Next Meeting is Wednesday,February 28,2024 at 9:00AM
1625 MASSACHUSETTS AVENUE •LEXINGTON,MASSACHUSETTS 02420