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