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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-04-05-LHRC-min Town of Lexington, Human Rights Committee Meeting Friday, April 5, 2019 Lexington Community Center 8:07-9:30 Present Committee Members: Tanya Gisolfi (Vice Chair), Mona Roy (Clerk), James Barry (Police Department), Barbara Hamilton (LPS), Koren Stembridge (Town)Bonnie Brodner, Jeffrey Toronto, Fuang Ying Huang Liaisons and Guests: Mabel Amar (guest), Mark Corr(Police Department), Aidan Evelyn (Police Department), Brent Maracle (LICA), Valerie Overton (LexPride), Christina Lin (PPC) Public Comments on Items Not on Agenda • Ms. Amar spoke on recent interaction with DPW expressing joy that that she had a pleasant interaction with them. • Ms. Overton spoke on the scope and role of the meeting minutes expressing concern that the minutes need to be an accurate summary of what was said. • Pastor Maracle spoke on the scope and purpose of the meeting minutes and expressed concern about public interference and demands. 1. Meeting Minutes (February and March) • Discussion on scope and purpose of minutes and recordation of public comments. Ms. Gisolfi commented that this issue was discussed with the Town Clerk. • Motion to approve February 2019 minutes: Motion Ms. Huang, Second Det. Barry, All in favor, none opposed • Motion to approve March 2019 minutes: Motion Det. Barry, Second Ms. Stembridge, All in favor, none opposed • Ms. Brodner suggested that draft minutes be sent out the members at least 48 hours before the meeting and that any non-substantive edits be sent to the Clerk before the meeting, all members present agreed that this is a good idea 2. Workgroup Updates a) Community Presentations on Hate Symbols (May) Officer Barry and Ms. Gisolfi—Lt. Barry contacted Arlington Human Rights Committee to move forward with a goal to plan for programming aiming for the month of May. 1625 MASSACHUSETTS AVENUE•LEXINGTON,MASSACHUSETTS 02420 b) Protocol for Investigating Discrimination Complaints (Ms. Huang, Ms. Stembridge, Ms. Brodner) • Discussion on whether group should change title to "Incident Report Procedures" since the primary purpose is to document how an individual Reports an incident and what happens after internally and externally. Incident Response Team documents what was heard and drafts a finding; letter/recommendations to be presented to the HRC. The findings and/or recommendations letter be discussed, edited, and approved by the committee. Investigations may not be completed or reported out if there is insufficient evidence for a finding. • Discussion on what is or should be the protocol for anonymous incidents. Discussion on role of LHRC for public where LHRC (given its charge) does more than just investigate. Discussion on LHRC public interface (e.g. LHRC is embedded in the LHRC website, need for own webpage, Facebook page communication purposes to publicize LHRC events). Will follow up with Sean Dugan (Public Info Officer)to see restrictions. • Discussion on Arlington HRC website which has a paper submission system (as opposed to electronic). Discussion noted that electronic submission can be a clear starting point for data collection and perhaps further analysis. Police do refer incidents to LHRC but not sure about LPS Discussion on how to manage anonymous complaints or complainants who want to remain anonymous can Town's counsel give us an opinion on what can remain anonymous? Ms. Hamilton noted that the school district would like to know whenever an anonymous report was made related to any humans rights violation. Concerns expressed by multiple members about the need for LHRC to have an option to let people express concerns to the LHRC, have those concerns documented but not be reported to LPS or the Lexington Police. • Action Items: All members of workgroup (Ms. Huang, Ms. Stembridge, Ms. Brodner) agreed to continue on the workgroup. Follow up with Town Council re: obligation of LHRC to maintain confidentiality of reports and also its obligation to report to LPS or Town or Police. Follow up with IT department finding out options for standalone page, connected Facebook page as a bulletin board (to link to town webpage); what is happening to anonymous reports and who gets to see them; how are they archived. There will be a workgroup update on progress at May meeting. Public Comment on Meeting • Ms. Overton spoke on being unclear on what happens to anonymous reports. She noted that she was told by the Chair such reporting helped shape future programming. Ms. Overton noted that she personally knows of 6 students have anonymously reported through the website and expressed concern that the LHRC did not report this to the public. • Ms. Amar spoke on her desire for victims to self-identify, and expressed her own perspective that people of color get different treatment by LPS and Police • Pastor Maracle spoke on the potential downsides of anonymous reporting and data collection of same and expressed concerns re: potentially inaccurate or false reports; compromised data accuracy; also noted that it is important to get this process streamlined and also expressed concerns about repercussions against someone who can be identified. • Ms. Gisolfi notes school reporting forms where anonymous reporting is possible • Ms. Brodner wants committee to get monthly reports on how many incidents were reported to LHRC c) Race Amity Day(2"d Sunday in June) (Mr. Osborne, Ms. Stembridge, and Ms. Roy). Still working on plan to get state proclamation and movie. LexPride will give LHRC library room reservation from 2:30-5 for the movie so that no conflicting events. 3. Reports and Updates on Human Rights Related Incidents and Programs from Committee Members Ms. Brodner notes Discovery Day booth and need volunteers to figure out shifts. Ms. Roy notes the screening of Intelligent Lives next Thursday. Confirm Next Meeting -- 5/3/2019 at 8:OOam Motion to Adjourn—Ms. Gisolfi, second Officer Barry 9:16 LIST OF DOCUMENTS Lex Pride Flyer Intelligent Lives Flyer ABCL Flyer DRAFT Protocol for Investigating Discrimination Complaints Workgroup --for discussion Respectfully submitted, Monami D. Roy Clerk, LHRC