Date: May 18,1999
TO: Humboldt County Board of supervisors
FROM: Humboldt County Human Rights Commission,
Jack Shaffer, Chair
Subject: Annual Report
Overview
Our last annual report was made May 13, 1998. Since then we have had monthly meetings, two special meetings, a workshop and several training sessions for commissioners. This was a productive year for the commission. We have increased our educational activities in the community, sponsored workshops and forums, participated in the activities of the Community Race Forum Group, made presentations, participated on panels, appeared on radio and TV, and had press releases. Much of our attention was devoted to Peace in the Forests and our sponsorship of the Hate Crime Information Network which has become a viable and productive entity.
Peace in the Forests
We collaborated with the Clergy for Common Ground (CCG) in an effort to reduce polarization between law enforcement, environmental demonstrators, and logging interest. We had one meeting with law enforcement leaders, one with environmentalists, a meeting with timber interest and one with political leaders with the intention of eventually getting them to meet together. A hospitality suite with refreshments donated by St. Joseph's and the Humboldt Area Foundation was manned jointly with CCG at the habitat Conservation Plan testimony session at Redwood Acres to promote dialogue and obtain information from participants via a questionnaire. We felt that a new approach was needed. After two special meetings of the commission we presented our Peace in the Forests Resolution to you on November 10, 1998.
Since that time, several commissioners have received training as neutral observers of demonstrations in the forest and have identification tags from the sheriffÕs office, and some have observed demonstrations. We developed role guidelines for neutral observers which were given to the sheriff.
We are currently working on improving communications between the sheriffÕs office, Earth First and Pacific Lumber Company in order to reduce the likelihood of injury or mishap during future demonstrations and confrontations.
Hate Crimes Information Network (NET)
This is sponsored by the HCHRC and has become a functioning group with regular meetings on the 4th Thursday of each month in conference Room B, from 5:30 -7:00 PM. The HCHRC cosponsored a conference on Hate Violence with the California Association of Human Relations Organizations (CAHRO) on July 18, 1998. The NET cosponsored workshops with the H.S.U.Police Department on Transgender Issues for law enforcement officers and the community at H.S.U. on January 23rd and an April 24th Hate Crime Training Program on the effects of hate violence for community members and service providers working with hate crime victims. The NET is comprised of representatives from several community groups including law enforcement. It has actively made press releases on local events and is currently developing a listing of resources available to people experiencing hate crimes and incidents.
Citizens Law Enforcement Matters(CLEM) Committee
Our study of a possible Citizens Law Enforcement Review Board resulted in a recommendation submitted to you on August 24,1998 and the formation of the C.L.E.M. Committee. The committee is currently working with the Law Enforcement Chiefs Association of Humboldt County to implement the recommendations, especially the one concerning improving the handling of citizens complaints.
Domestic Partnership Registration Ordinance (DPRO)
We maintain an active interest, monitor developments, and hope time will soon be ripe for action on this issue.
Commission Developments
Following our bylaws revision, our membership has been expanded to 15 commissioners. We established an Orientation Committee, and developed an orientation procedure which was provided to our new members. We continue to have an annual workshop for commissioners.
Speakers invited to our meetings include C.A.O. John Murray, and Jo Anne Douglas on using the voice mail. Public guests have attended most of our meetings.
We formed an Outreach and Education committee which organized a presentation by commissioners at the H.S.U. Diversity Conference on March 7th.
We have revised and reissued our brochure for the general public, and developed an internship description. We have requested budgeting to enable inclusion of our voice mail number in the new telephone book. We received donations to provide hospitality for some of our Peace in the Forests activities and maintained a small bank account. Commissioners continue to have considerable expense in fulfilling their responsibilities, with reported expenses of $266.00 and 187 hours contributed by one commissioner and $216.00 by another.
Contacts and Intakes
There were at least seventeen new contacts and intakes since the last report. Six related to the criminal justice system, four concerned hate crimes and incidents mainly in school settings, several related to conflicts in the forests, and two concerned the elderly and disabled. Our concern with the education of homeless and transient children resulted in a letter to educational authorities alerting them to this issue.