Date: June 28, 2000

 

TO: Humboldt County Board of Supervisors

 

FROM: Lorey Keele, Chairperson

            Humboldt County Human Rights Commission (HRC)

 

Subject: Annual Report

 

Our last annual report was made on May 25,1999 by Jack Shaffer, former chairperson of the commission. Since then we have had our regularly scheduled meeting and several workshops for commissioners.

 

MAJOR PROJECTS

 

Committee on Law Enforcement Matters (CLEM):

 

In 1996 we were directed by the Board of Supervisors to investigate the need for citizens review of law enforcement in Humboldt County. Since our report to you of August 1998 the HRC has accepted the task and began working toward implementing the recommendation generated in that report. The commission created a committee of commissioners addressing matters relating to the need for review and/or overview of local law enforcement efforts particular to the use of force. The Committee on Law Enforcement Matters (CLEM) has established liaisons with the county and municipal law enforcement agencies in the County as well as the Law Enforcement Chiefs Association of Humboldt(LECAH).

 

The recommendations being implemented have been reported to you on May, 2000 by the CLEM committee with support of the HRC.

 

Community for Common Ground(CCG):

 

In January 1998 we were invited by the Supervisors to work with Clergy for Common Ground to reduce polarization between law enforcement, environmental demonstrators and timber interest. Approximately 2 years ago this group of concerned community members felt a need to continue meeting and set out to redefine their mission and identity thus the name change, Community for Common Ground (CCG).

 

In an effort to assist in the reduction of polarization, we commenced a neutral observer program for demonstrations. Direct observation of demonstration by the Commission has been suspended, pursuant to your instructions.

 

Domestic Partnership Registration Ordinance Committee (DPRO):

 

In 1996 the HRC made a recommendation to the Board of Supervisors for the need for a Domestic Partnership Registration to be made available to citizens of Humboldt County. As a result of state legislation passed in March of 2000, this committee developed a resolution asking for implementation of the new law, which was then submitted to the Board with the support of the HRC.

 

This committee also redefined itself and included in its scope of work the fight against the Knight Initiative, Prop. 22. The DPRO again brought a resolution before the Board requesting that the County take a stand against what the HRC believes to be divisive and hate filled legislation.

 

Community Outreach and Education Committee:

 

Our Outreach and Education committee continues to promote Human Rights Month resulting in proclamations by county supervisors, city councils and tribal councils. The resulting publicity had emphasized greater sensitivity to these issues.

 

In February this committee organized a workshop attended by school teachers and administrators showcasing programs ÒPromoting Harmony in the ClassroomÓ for grades k-12.

 

The committee has also worked on developing a list of speakers who are available to present information on Human Rights issues at community functions.

 

For the third year now the commission was invited to provide educational forums at Humboldt State UniversityÕs Multicultural Conference which has become a very successful event.

 

Hate Crimes Information Network (HCIN):

 

This network was organized and facilitated by the HRC with the goal of preventing Hate Crimes through education, intervention and empowerment in an effort to create a community committed to eradicating hate. Committee members are representatives of the Latino community, NAACP,Northcoast Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender Alliance, Law Enforcement, Temple Beth-EL, and the Commission on the Status of Women.

 

We will continue to participate in efforts to organize our communities and enable us to get a more accurate count on local hate crimes and incidents affecting our community.

 

NETWORKING

 

Over the last year the HRC continued to network and collaborate with community groups, including the ACLU, Unitarian Unversalist Fellowship, and League of Women Voters.

 

In addition, the commission has had presentations and in-depth discussions on specific issues of concern such as the death penalty, adequate shelter for the homeless, medical marijuana and the Knight initiative.

 

Humboldt County Grand Jury

 

Again, we attempted to implement greater cooperation and understanding with the Grand Jury by making a presentation to them and inviting continuing dialogue.

 

INTAKES

 

There were more than 50 request for assistance that were made through our new voice mail service. More than 17 requests were complaints or grievances that required further investigation by a pair of commissioners who felt it necessary to continue assistance to the complainant or referred those persons to additional services.

 

As reported last year the complaints included racial harassment at school, gender discrimination, concerns regarding the well-being of prisoners and persons demonstrating in the forest. In addition to those very serious reports, we received complaints about hate crimes perpetrated against community members who are homeless, homosexual, Black Americans and Native Americans.

 

The Humboldt Cannabis Center submitted a written brief and voiced concerns of their membership, the Health and Safety Code section 11362.5 and the rights that initiative created for both patients and primary care givers to cultivate medical cannabis. Cannabis Center members reported numerous incidents of rights violations by law enforcement and the judiciary.

 

Citizens of Southern Humboldt expressed concerns regarding the increasing polarization between different groups in their community, especially young people. They are fearful for community members who are without shelter and emphasized the need for a shelter in that region.

 

Commission Information and Referral

 

During this last year the commission received approximately 25 request for information. These request generated referrals to services varying from Animal Control to legal assistance.

 

Our voice mail has given the community greater access and provided increased confidentiality in communications with the commission.

 

FUNDING

 

Our annual membership dues of $100. to the California Association of Human Relations Organization was funded by the individual commissioners. Additionally, commissioners each assume full burden for their costs, including travel, telephone,fax, e-mail, postage, computer use, paper and copying. These cost amount to several hundreds of dollars.