Human Relations Committee

Laconia Human Relations Committee March 11, 2024 Meeting Minutes I. CALL TO ORDER Chair Patrick Wood welcomed everyone to the meeting of the Laconia Human Relations Committee. Committee member roll call was taken, a quorum was established, and the meeting was called to order at 3:30 pm. II. ATTENDANCE Present – Chair Patrick Wood, Carol Pierce, Mayor Andrew Hosmer, Rev. Judith Wright, Matt Soza, Janet Simmon, Heather Stanley, Trish Weatherbee, David Stamps, Kay Anderson, Patricia Okinedo and Richard Littlefield. Zoom – David Osman and Jasmine Sanborn Excused – Carrie Chandler and Seifu Ragassa Pat Wood introduced and warmly welcomed Patricia Okinedo as a new committee member. III. OLD BUSINESS Minutes Approval – Motion was made by David Stamps, seconded by Matt Soza, to accept the minutes of the February 12th, 2024 Laconia Human Relations Committee meeting (LHRC); with no further discussion, the motion passed unanimously. Sub-Committee Work: Martin Luther King Jr Celebration – The first subcommittee meeting definitely decided to have event at Colonial again. Endowment for Health – There is a meeting in Manchester on March 20 with another city recipient who is interested in discussing the process. Banners –The city council is expected to discuss this policy at tonight’s meeting. Concern was expressed about time line for banners to be approved for pride month. The Laconia Congregational Church is being asked to sponsor the Pride banners. Discussion included maybe making a rainbow cross walk like in Ogunquit, Maine. It was suggested do flags and banners first. Motion was made by David Stamps, seconded by Rev Judith to table this discussion, the motion passed unanimously. Vigil/Signage – Matt stated the sub-committee’s plan is to have 2 demonstrations per month for 3 months. These demonstrations with be city wide: in front of city hall, the loop on Main St, Busy Corner, Lakeport Square, Wyatt Park, and the Weirs. Plan to have all in place by April or May. Discussion concerning vigil/demonstration participants adhering to LHRC guidelines. No approval from city council is needed, but a city permit is needed if demonstration is on city owned property. 1 Suggestion was made to put an article in the newspaper to advise the community what LHRC is doing, to find people interested in joining LHRC in these demonstrations, to define how quickly LHRC is able to respond to such calls for leadership. Although there can be an exception for an emergent meeting, LHRC needs to get advisory opinion if we want to respond quickly. (where to get advisory opinion?) Discussion continued with suggestion that if a more rapid response is needed in the community perhaps that response be organized by community members. The signs at vigil/demonstration is a matter of free speech, free speech authorized by the government is government speech. Any LHRC misstep could allow people to apply a narrative to the misstep that is pure fiction. Does that mean if LHRC is organizing vigil/demonstration then we are representing the city government? If city is limiting the content on signage, does that interfere with free speech. Will the signs be consistent with the mission and vision of LHRC? Are we limited to just signs, can there be messages on flyers or other forms of messaging? Any subcommittee can have a demonstration, the subcommittee chairperson can be asked to just give the go ahead. The MLK subcommittee took action for a march without LHRC approval. The approval exception is the financial piece, for finances, LHRC approval is necessary. A question was asked about the expected presentation on the right to know law, 91A. The chairperson stated this is still being set up with Kirk Beattie. Question asked if any LHRC members can attend subcommittee meetings without being a member of the subcommittee? Yes, public is invited. Yom HaShoah – On May 4th, at Temple B’Nai Israel, there will be a showing of the Sharp’s War movie by Dr. Benaquist from Keene State. The event will be sponsored by the Greater Laconia Ministerial Association. Multicultural Festival – The Multicultural Festival Board met on the 18th at 10am, not well attended. Although Becky is on the committee, she will not be director, will not organize program, entertainment, vendor management. There will be a meet up at Belknap Mill to stuff and mail donations letters. Letter to editor will be sent to advertise. This event has a separate board, it is not LHRC. LHRC provides funding only. Question asked if Becky has been keeping records of management of program. No response. Anonymous Letters – Discussion put off til next meeting. Incident – Trish reports she has been unable to meet up with the person who was referred to LHRC with a personal concern, due to COVID issues. She will continue to follow up. One LHRC member shared his experience of witnessing dehumanizing behaviors of those with mental illness or substance use disorder while he was present in emergency room. Another LHRC member advised when LHRC first formed, there were discussions with the NH Human Rights Commission, who provided a format to talk to individuals and then report the information to the commission. 2  Another LHRC member reminded the committee when someone in another community had a negative experience being targeted by a group, she was invited to come to the meeting and the committee was supportive. IV. NEW BUSINESS Vision and Mission Statement review no discussion V. PUBLIC COMMENTS There was opportunity but no public comments were made. VI. ADJOURNMENT The Meeting was adjourned by the chair at 5:00pm. Next meeting is scheduled for Monday April 15, 2024, room 200A, at 3:30 pm also via Zoom. Respectfully Submitted, Trish Weatherbee, Recording Secretary 3