The Arlington Human Rights Commission (AHRC) was created by Town Meeting in 1993 to advance issues related to the fair and equal treatment of individuals and to create a mechanism for addressing complaints arising out of these issues. ~The mission of the AHRC is to work individually and collaboratively with other groups in our community to celebrate the ever-changing tapestry of our Town, and to emphasize, through educational outreach, the danger of intolerance at every level. The Town Manager, School Committee, and the Town Moderator have appointing authority for the thirteen members of the commission.
The AHRC began the year by electing Marlissa S. Briggett as chairperson and Kevin McGann to serve as vice chair. Mary Ann Sullivan serves as staff assistant. It continued the Arlington Dialogue series by hosting two events. In January, 2002 Wheelock College Professor of Education Diane Levin addressed over 100 people at the Robbins Library on the topic of bias in children’s media. In October she returned to lead a presentation for parents on “When the World is a Dangerous Place: Raising Children in Violent Times.”
In an effort to increase visibility and awareness, the Commission once again staffed a booth at Town Day in September, distributing informational brochures and answering questions. This year the commission raffled gift certificates to many restaurants in Town. Proceeds of the raffle will help sponsor faculty attendance at the Facing History and Ourselves workshop sponsored by the Anti-Defamation League. The commission also contributed to the Town’s Martin Luther King Birthday Celebration.
In August, the Arlington Advocate ran a story about a lesbian couple in East Arlington who reported incidents of harassment based on sexual orientation. The commission worked collaboratively with the couple, the Police Department, the Arlington Housing Authority, and the East Arlington Good Neighbors’ Association to address the situation in their neighborhood. In October, the Commission organized a community meeting in which interested parties were invited. Nearly 150 residents gathered in the Thompson School gymnasium to listen and to address their concerns. To date, we understand that the harassment has ceased.
The Commission continues to maintain records of hate crimes and incidents, and work in cooperation with the Police Department in order to track the frequency and severity of such events in Arlington. During the year, two complaints were formally filed with the Commission, and teams of investigators worked to resolve these matters. Commissioners also fielded quite a few calls from members of the public who were concerned about violations of their human rights but who ultimately did not file a formal complaint.
As the Arlington Human Rights Commission enters its tenth year, and the diversity of our community expands, our goal remains constant. The commission will continue to focus its efforts on keeping Arlington a safe, welcoming community where all individuals are treated with warmth, mutual respect, and acceptance.
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