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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-09-17-LHRC-min Town of Lexington,Human Rights Committee Meeting Thursday, September 17,2020 Virtual 9:00a.m.-10:10a.m. Present: Committee Members: Monami D. Roy(Chair), Tanya Gisolfi (Vice Chair), Georgia Swann (Clerk), Fuang Ying Huang, Jeffrey Toronto, Cleveland Coats,Melissa Interess (Town Manager's Office Member/Human Services Department), James E. Barry Jr. (Police Department), Scott Bokun(LPS), Meeting called to order at 9:01 AM, Quorum was present at 9:00 AM 1. Welcome-- Mona LHRC welcomes interest in racial disparity and other social justice issues from the community. The LHRC has for years worked to examine and educate members of the Lexington community and celebrate our shared humanity. 2. Minutes • Approval of August 6 Minutes—Motion made by MI, Seconded by TG,All in Favor. 3. Hate Incidents • JB: incidents of graffiti found in town are being investigated by LPD. • JB: allegation of racial bias treatment at a restaurant in town, LHRC will investigate incident • Police Chief: Black Police Officers are facing racially insensitive comments from members of the community. Anonymous calls are being made to the station. 4. Community Conversation On Race and Social Equity,Diversity and Policing • Presented on Tuesday September 29 at 7:00pm via Zoom • Facilitated by Melissa Patrick • Information about the event will be on the LHRC website, community members are encouraged to send in questions for the panelists. Public Comment Valerie Overton: Wants to thank the Police Chief for sharing the inforination on racially charged language black LPD officers are facing and acknowledge that the Chief and LPD have been partners in working on social justice issues in town and,wants to reiterate that no one should be targeted with hateful language. 5. Member Reports and Concerns • CC: Proctored for the LPD candidates exam at Lexington High School. • SB: Wants to share DEI work updates,posted by SC for the public to read and comments are welcome. • GS: Attended a virtual presentation by local social justice group "Together We Rise"that featured thought provoking stories from BIPOC members of the community on racial profiling. • MI: MLK Day Subcommittee has begun to meet and work on how to produce the program in a 100%virtual environment. QPR Suicide Prevention training will be offered next week and community members can sign up by contacting HS 6. Update on Initiatives • MDR: Draft proposal for training by DEI consulting group All Aces has been sent to SB. • Jill Hai(SB liaison): All Aces and National League of Cities have bid on training and the creation of action plans for the town of Lexington. SB welcomes community feedback on the organizations. 7. Active Bystander Training • TG: Active Bystander Training via Zoom will be made available to members of the community, Eventbrite link to sign up for a session will be made available soon. Dates are October 8. Update of Declaration of Racism as a Public Health Crisis • MDR: BOH passed the resolution, SB will consider it on September 21, SC will consider it on September 22. 9. Update on Workgroups • TG: Health Disparities and Racism group will meet to plan and set goals. • JB: Initial conversations about the direction of the group have begun and the next step is to reach out to community members who have volunteered to be involved. • FYH: Housing group has met initially to get acquainted with each other and set independent tasks to be completed before the next meeting in two weeks. • Cindy Arens: Would like to thank the LHRC for the resolution to declare racism a public health crisis and would like to prioritize issues of environmental justice and will pass on information to MDR on the issue. • JH wants to make the LHRC aware that the SB is working with Town Counsel about work groups as public groups/public meetings. Information will be shared as it becomes available in order to be in compliance with public meeting laws. 10. The Long Shadow • TG: Film screening and discussion with the producer has been scheduled and will be promoted in the community through the usual channels. 11. No Hate November • GS: Community member Stephanie Hsu has joined the workgroup. Work is beginning on a panel discussion on the impact of hate and/or racism(working with ABCL, CAAL, CALex, and others). Another workgroup in partnership with COD is proposed to look at discrimination and the impact on people with disabilities. Next Steps include working on theraing with Human Services and LPS. 12. Joint COD/LHRC workgroup • MDR: COD meeting is next week where ideas for a joint work group will be presented and a request for volunteers will be made. • MDR: Announcement that JT is stepping down from the LHRC after over 2 terms,members and community are grateful for his service and look forward to continuing to work with him as a community member. 13. Resolution to recognize October as Dyslexia Awareness Month • Motion to recommend draft to the School Committee--Made by GS, Seconded by MI, eight in favor except JB 14. Social Media Outreach • GS: LHRC content will be shared on Twitter,Facebook and emails are always welcome when community members have questions and concerns. • MDR: Keeping the website updated is also important, Sean Duggan is helping to work on publicity for events. 15. Chair Report • Submitted Public Comment VO: Would like to recognize the Chair and Co-Chair for all of the work done by the LHRC across a range of timely social justice issues. Motion to Adjourn: MDR Seconded: TG Meeting Adjourned 10:10 Next Meeting Date and Time October 8", at 9:00a.m. LIST OF DOCUMENTS LHRC Chair Report