Fairmont Human Rights Commission

HRC Education Committee February 2021 report Love has no labels • (2552) Love Has No Labels | Diversity & Inclusion | Ad Council – YouTube Significance of this video for our work at HRC • Jamboard #1: Envisioning world where we redirect resources away from policing poverty and toward greater community care - Google Jamboard • Perspective on Education - “How do we know what we know?” Activity this month • Criminal justice reform summit (January 28, 2021 – online and free) • Equity Summit – Designing an Antiracist Future • Communities of Shalom – retreat to plan this year’s activities (2/18/2021) Systemic Bias in Policing • Basic Point: Discrimination in policing is not the result of “bad apple” cops deviating from standard police policy. Instead, it is conformity to these policies that is the problem. • 8% African American in population in Fairmont • Arrest rate for African Americans in Fairmont in 2019 was 2.8 times higher than for whites. • During the past 10 years African Americans 75% of drug arrests by Three Rivers Drug Task Force • Work to reduce discrimination and bias in policing through education and policy change • Join with other groups such as Human Rights Commission and Pastoral Alliance to institute educational opportunities and policy change to reduce bias in policing in measurable ways. • Develop workshop opportunities for police on topics such as: • Community dynamics and policing • Situational policing • Work to establish community partnerships for police reform Local Hate Crime & Anti Discrimination Ordinance • Background: • West Virginia has no statewide law that protect LGBTQ people from discrimination. • West Virginia Supreme Court ruled attacks against LGBTQ people are not hate crimes. Objective: To support and work toward passage of local antidiscrimination laws to protect LGBTQ citizens. Community Building Background: Many of the multicultural problems in Fairmont rest at the intersections of religious Freedom, human rights, and community well being. • Sponsor events that foster greater understanding between differing groups, cultures and individuals, such as the on-going Building Bridges of Respect program of Communities of Shalom. • Host activities for city leaders and community members on community dynamics, community safety and well being. • Develop activities that address the intersections of religious freedom, human rights, and public safety. For example, work with the Fairmont HRC and Council of Churches to host podcasts on topics of religious freedom and LGBTQ rights or systemic bias Education • Provide book study groups around issues of antiracism and antidiscrimination generally. • Provide trainings in Awareness, Analysis, Action, Accountability, and Allyship aimed at systemic discrimination (Barbara Love) • Continue outreach to public schools on topics of diversity and multiculturalism. Policy • Support local and statewide anti discrimination policies, statutes and ordinances. CONNECTING TO EACH OTHER