Human Rights Commission

October 20, 2022, HRC Meeting Attendees: Keenan McClane, Danny Trejo, Zoey Vilasuso, Bonnie Brown Liaisons: State HRC: Tim Hairston City Council: Brian Butcher ● Call to order: 6:41 Public Session: n/a ● September 2022 minutes - vote to accept ● Bonnie Brown moves to accept September minutes Danny seconds motion - accepted unanimously Communications ● Tim state update ○ Efforts to add members to the state commision were discussed. Conclusion was that the Governor seems to not have nominated anyone. ○ Discussion of recommending people to the governor's office directly. Missing seats are preferred to be from the southern part of the state. ○ Brian mentioned a friend of his with some interest in the position, and recommended sending a letter of recommendation to be approved at the next meeting for such people. ○ Brian questioned why there are not HRCs at county level Commissioner Updates ● Danny ○ Has not been able to meet with Ixia Vega with Family Planning ○ Has met with Brian White about issues with undocumented people working with contractors ● Bonnie ○ Proclamation was made for Indigenous People's Day ○ Attempts to bring Tribal Leaders to speak publicly about their connections to what is now WV and acknowledgements of indigenous lands. Plans to hold the event by early April. ● Zoey ○ No official updates ○ Spoke about examples of schools forming HRC-like organizations in wake of pride flag controversies in schools ○ Bonnie brought up legal risks of flags being seen as political symbols ● Keenan ○ No official updates ● Brian  ○ Met with racial equity program ○ They looked at other city's audits to racial equity and tried to find action items that would apply to morgantown ○ Some cities have worked through universities to facilitate audits. Working with WVU looked like a promising alternative to hiring a firm ○ Was approached about possible HR abuse related to disability and housing. He recommended the person make a report, but has not received one. Likely report would apply to state HRC ○ Recommended leveraging political capitol to get indigenous people's day recognized next year ○ Several organizations assisting Health Right and Hazel's house of hope attempting to shelter unhoused people in cold weather. United Way offered a $30,000 grant to help facilitate, and some hotels in town agreed to special rates for people not suitable for communal housing. Priority Items Human Rights Day Award Nominations and Voting ● Ash left opinions about potential candidates. Commissioners Liked suggestion of Ixya Vega. Morgantown High School's Health and Safety Group suggestion was well received, but some discussion was made about whether a group nomination should be made, or if a nomination should go to an individual person. ● Brian suggested Holler Health Justice as being in line with platforming abortion access. ● Bonnie discussed possibilities of making human rights day into a larger event than it has been in the past, the possibility of a movie screening was discussed with The Met as a possible venue. ● Bonnie suggested a working group for Human Rights Day and specifically to: ○ check on Met ○ check on plaque ○ get in touch with highschools about groups ● Tues Nov. 8th at 7:30 for a special meeting, with a working group to follow. ● Danny moves to nominate Ixia Vega for the Human Rights Day Award. Bonnie Brown seconded. Unanimous vote in favor. ● Tabled vote for High school group pending contacting them ● Keenan moves to form a working group. Danny seconded. Unanimous vote in favor. Adjourn ● Bonnie moves to conclude the meeting. Danny seconds motion ● Adjourned at 8:14 PM