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Home My WebLink About2018-11-02-LHRC-min `OVS MOPN pa` 1775 ^'C � A APRIL 19" �FXINUM Town of Lexington Lexington Human Rights Committee Sean D. Osborne, Chair humanrightscinte dlexington a.gov_ Tanya Gisolfi,Vice Chair Monami D. Roy, Clerk Minutes for November 2, 2018 Meeting Present: • Members: Sean Osborne (Chair), Tanya Gisolfi (Vice Chair), Mona Roy (Clerk), Bonnie Brodner, Jeffrey Toronto, James Barry (Police Department), Fuang-Ping Huang, Charlotte Rodgers (Town) • Liaisons and Guests: Kathleen Lenihan, (School Committee), Brent Maracle (LICA), Valerie Overton (LexPride), Tony Serio, Georgia Swann (SEPAC/ABCL), Carissa Black (SEPAC/SEPTA) WeiDong Wang (CARL), Stanley Yap (CARL), Meeting called to order at 8:10 am, Quorum was present at 8:10 am. 1. Welcome 2. Public Comments • Brent Maracle (LICA) referenced the report, Reclaiming Native Truth, sent to Human Right Committee members (see attached). He noted that the report included the conclusion, that Native Americans are historically romanticized and presently invisible. Mr. Maracle also noted that local surveys recently taken, left off the ethnicity category Native Americans. He also noted that no one mentioned discrimination again Native Americans at Temple Emunnah's service, • Valerie Overton (Lex Pride) asked for support for the YES on 3 ballot initiative to protect transgender individuals and noted that some recent polling showed that support for the measure was dropping by 20 points 1625 MASSACHUSETTS AVENUE•LEXINGTON,MASSACHUSETTS 02420 3. Review October Meeting Minutes: Minutes from the October meeting will be reviewed by the speakers and will be sent out in December 4. Chair Report • See attached report. Additional comments from chair: • Attended vigil at Temple Emunnah where there was packed room, moving service, and lot of security • Noted that the movie, Gen Silent would be shown this Sunday afternoon and to look for fliers • Noted Charlotte Rogers is retiring after 13.7 years of service and that her retirement party would be at the Depot on November, 29, 2018 from 4:30-6:30. 5. SEPAC Request for LHRC Co-Sponsorship of Community Film Screenings for the films -- Including Samuel and Intelligent Lives • Carissa Black (SEPAL) films on the subject matter of inclusion of people with disabilities, they are currently looking for a Moderator, they are also looking for sponsorship by HRC, COD in cooperation with SEPAC. The HRC and COD would not be required to provide any funding as SEPAC has covered this but asks for at least one HRC member to attend and wants HRC to help publicize (mention, put info on website etc..) • Motion 1: Motion to propose that LHRC cosponsor with SEPAC the community films Including Samuel and Intelligent Lives Ms. Brodner makes the motion and Ms. Gisolfi second the motion. Approved by all present • Ms. Brodner requested that LHRC develop guidelines for sponsorship of events. 6. Potential Programming for 2018-19 a. Community Conversation on Race, January 21, 2019, MLK Day Monday • Workgroup will comprise Mr. Osborne, Ms. Roy and Ms. Hamilton • Anticipated venue: Grace Chapel 1625 MASSACHUSETTS AVENUE•LEXINGTON,MASSACHUSETTS 02420 • Motion #2: Motion to propose that the HRC will plan the Community Conversation on Race on 1/21/19 -- Ms. Roy motioned, Ms. Rogers seconded, approved by all present b. Fair Housing and Affordable Housing Forum — April 2019 —National Fair Housing Month • Discussion included gaps on parameters on fair housing, affordable housing, Lexington meeting state goals for affordable housing, socioeconomic diversity, development of senior housing • Questions included: Do we start the process of finding people to make this a reality? Do we want work with other town boards and committees to learn from other towns? • Ms. Rogers mentioned that Residential exemption working group for taxes may be a strategic partner, and also mentioned tax mechanism how real estate taxes are assessed on single family homes. • Ms. Hai recommended looking at LexMedia at previous presentation on this topic • There are also three (3) public forums on the values we want to decide housing policy. • Motion #3 Motion for LHRC to form a workgroup to consider moving forward to develop an affordable housing forum Ms. Brodner makes the motion and Ms. Gisolfi seconds the motion. Approved by all present • Mr. Osborne notes that Dr. Hackett (LPS Superintendent) interested in this issue. • Ms. Hai notes that a civil rights/ HRC perspective to this would be helpful as well the HRC looking for areas to train for discrimination avoidance. • Ms. Brodner and Ms. Huang agree to be part of the working group c. Patriot Day Parade — April 2019 • Motion to table discussion, Mr. Barry, seconded by Ms. Gisolfi • 6 voted in favor, (Ms. Huang was out of the room and Mr. Toronto had left) d. Community Presentations with ADL on Hate Symbols — May 2019- 1625 MASSACHUSETTS AVENUE•LEXINGTON,MASSACHUSETTS 02420 • Ms. Gisolfi and Mr. Barry agreed to be LHRC liaisons on this matter Northshore Metro Group, All present voted yes (Ms. Huang was out of the room) • Yom Hashoah, Holocaust Remembrance Day • Motion #4 to form working group to work with ADL on programming e. Discovery Day 5/25/19 (10-3) • Motion to form working group to participate in Discovery Day 5/25/19, All present voted in favor • LHRC should sign up separately instead of using sharing space with town departments. • Human Services offered to provide chairs and tables f. Community Cultural Fair — June 2019 — Race Amity Day • Motion to form working group to participate in Race Amity Day 6 voted in favor, Ms Huang and Mr Toronto had left 7. Reports and Updates on Human Rights Related Incidents and Programs from Committee Members • Mr. Toronto asked for investigation to check if there an elevator at Lexington Venue for people to go to the second floor and he will also send email to COD • Social Media Workgroup Ms. Huang and Ms. Roy will investigate and make recommendations to be voted on by HRC Discussion on a possible Facebook page and other social media and need to discuss parameters with new leadership in town in ok; follow up with Tony at Human Services on how to get a Facebook page going, more website visibility • Group discussion noting HRC is a funneler of incidents • People need to hear and learn about resources from multiple venues • Jim Barry (Civil Rights Investigator, Detective, Commander) discussed Incidents that have occurred since last meeting Last weekend resident had car vandalized with Anti-Semitic graffiti, suspect has been identified and arrested. Target, who was in attendance, thanked Lexington Police and LHRC for support provided. • Ms. Rogers -- LHRC and Brookhaven sponsoring afternoon event (2- 4) MLK Day 1625 MASSACHUSETTS AVENUE•LEXINGTON,MASSACHUSETTS 02420 • Ms. Brodner LHRC should be ready to respond to hate incident and should they support vigils • Mr. Maracle mentioned about LICA- Lexington Community Thanksgiving Service Tuesday, November 20, at 7:30pm Adjourn 9:36 8. Confirm Next Meeting a. 12/7/2018 LIST OF DOCUMENTS • Agenda • Chair Report 1625 MASSACHUSETTS AVENUE•LEXINGTON,MASSACHUSETTS 02420