Human Relations Committee

Martin Luther King, Jr Planning Committee Meeting November 26, 2024 at 4 pm. Held at The Unitarian Universalist Society of Laconia Present: Matt Soza, Trish Weatherbee, Richard Littlefield, Faith Pakasuk and Rev. Judith Wright Discussion: 1. Matt Soza has confirmed with the Laconia Library that we have available both January 18 th and January 25 th for our showing and discussion of the movie “Lost Boundaries.” 2. Discussion about the flyers . Richard Littlefield agreed to take them, once the changes are made that we all agreed upon, to Winnesquam Printing, and then to post them on Laconia is Talking and Laconia is Really Talking. We need to create an electronic version of our two flyers. 3. Invitations : These are the groups that we discussed contacting about this event: Greater Laconia Ministerial Association, Laconia Links, Plymouth State University Black Student Union, Laconia Schools (perhaps with extra credit for students attending for their courses), Laconia Region Community College. 4. We will ask Patrick Wood to invite political dignitaries – local and state officials. 5. Discussion about Police presence . Agreement we want to have two officers at the event at all times. Rev. Judith will contact Nancy Brown about having two police officers. 6. Total agreement not to have the Solidary March, as January weather makes marching precarious. Solidary March canceled . Suggestion by Richard Littlefield to have some kind of solidary march in the spring, when the weather is less treacherous. 7. We are targeting 200 people for this event. Theme of this year ’s gathering is “How has the legacy of Dr. King influenced your life? ” 8. Henry Weatherbee has visited the library and is comfortable with the projector and set up. He is exploring next how to download the film “Lost Boundaries” for our showing on the two library days. 9. Possibility of a raffle. We discussed the possibility of having this year a raffle for one or two of Dr. King’s books. We also discussed having a quilt created for next year’s event (2026) that would be themed about Dr. King, and the quilt then raffled off. The quilting guild needs a year to make this. Is this something that the LHRC would approve? 10. Discussion about the panel on January 19 th. Rev. Judith has contacted Paula Chambers from the Temple, and she is confirmed as a panelist. She is going to talk about her memories of the bombing of the beautiful large Jewish temple on Peachtree Street in Atlanta. Trish will confirm Asheena , representing the homeless. Trish will contact Grant, representing the recovery community and then possibly ask Shabez , a person of color. Trish also shared a story from a mother about her five-year-old child that the mother may be willing to have someone read her story. The story is about undoing racial prejudice here in Laconia. Marge Wilkinson has agreed to help welcome people and give them index cards and encourage them to write down their thoughts about the presentations for the discussion. 11. Trish Weatherbee is ordering 350 cookies for these three events. We will have water and coffee available at the Library events. 12. Our meeting ended at 5 pm. Respectfully submitted by Rev. Judith Wright, Chair of this MLK, Jr Committee, under the guidance of The Laconia Human Relations Committee