Salem Human Rights Coalition

No Place for Hate Committee Meeting Minutes August 2, 2016 5:30 PM 120 Washington Street, 3rd Floor Members Present: Joseph Amico, Jim Bostick, Jeff Cohen, David Eppley, Alison Miller, Alison Miller, Conrad Prosniewski, Fara Wolfson Guests Present: Fawaz (Fuzzy) Abusharrkh; Nicole Lashomb, Kathy Lique, Michael Millett, Gricel M. Ocasio, Scott Weisberg The meeting was called to order by the chair at 5:30. Introductions/Public Comment. There were no public comments at this time. Minutes from July were reviewed. Thank you, Alison, for taking minutes. Minutes will also be shared online for members to review. Send revisions to Laura or Fara. Clerk’s Report Next Book Group will discussThe Other Wes Moore and will meet on Tuesday August 23rd. Book is from Salem Academy Charter School’s summer reading list. September’s book will be in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month and selected from Salem Public School’s Summer Reading list. Looking ahead, October’s book will be Corey Booker’s United or a book receiving a lot of buzz, The Fire This Time. You do not have to be a member of the committe to join the discussions. Treasurer’s Report shared by Jeff Cohen. Current financials have not changed since last meeting. We will incur expenses when we re-print brochures. National Night Out is tonight. This is the 33rd year of National Night Out across the country and the first time Salem will be participating. It is a “ommunity-building campaign that promotes police-communitypartnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to make our neighborhoods safer, better places to live.” Event runs until 8:00. There will be live music and nonprofit organizations present. Mayor’s Liaison Laura Assade unable to make tonight’s meeting but he will be having a meeting regarding Hispanic Heritage Month tomorrow at 1:00. Might also schedule a follow-up meeting. Laura will send an email out. Salsa Sunday is every Sunday at 6 at Peabody Park. Sunday August 7th, Cultural Sunday Dance Academy in Lynn will be at Salsa Sundays. Students from Salem. Cultural sunday Dance Academy is a nonprofit and will be accepting donations. Committee Member Shawn Newton has accepted a position at Suffolk University. Though he will no longer be at Salem State University, he will continue with the committee as a resident and in his role spearheading the Diversity Training/Hate Crime Awareness Program. He has made significant contributions to the committee and the community in his. Jeff Cohen referred specifically to his op-ed piece around the theme that words matter, “Bullying Takes Many Forms” (Salem News, Nov 8, 2013) The discussion of subcommittees was continued. Consensus seems to be to have two subcommittees: Community Engagement and Communication. Community Engagement is about moving beyond vigils, including roundtables, Hispanic Heritage month, voting/election. Communication would include promotional materials and how we provide and share information. Creation of subcommittees would allow for greater participation. David Eppley shared that people looking for an outlet to provide positive change in the community. Gricel Ocasio shared that we also look into representing marginalized communities, diverse communities. Joe made a motion to create two subcommittees. It was seconded and approved. New committee members will be added. A silent ballot election will be held at the September meeting. Scott Weisberg (former chair of the committee), Fawaz (Fuzzy) Abusharrkh, Kathy Lique, Gricel M. Ocasio, Nicole Lashomb, and Michael Millett. Following introductions and brief backgrounds, each shared reasons for membership, what unique contributions and awareness will be brought to the table, and a desire to stay involved. Plan was to add three additional members, but membership is not limited. We just need to have an odd number. We are also adding a liaison from the schools. Discussion of voting members and roles and responsibilities followed. Committee members get to vote and post on Facebook. Reminder that when posting, please change dropdown to your name instead of NP4H. Visiting a mosque in Boston has been discussed previously. There may be an alternative site and we do want to keep this as an initiative. Jeff Cohen shared his response to the connection to recent news involving Mr. Khan’s speech at the Democratic National Convention and the follow-up which opened up further discussion. Announcements: * Summer Meals Program will continue to run through August 12th * Jeff previewed names of anticipated speakers for next meeting. * Susan Wright, founder of Autism Speaks died this week. Just as we acknowledged Elie Wiesel, we should take a mometn to acknowledge an advocate whose name is lesser known than the message she conveyed. * Other members should acess video on SATV to see/hear speakers from tonight. Please check SATV website or our Facebook page for the link.Jeff wil send an email. * Kathy Lique went to a social justice service led by Reverend Barber, Sister Simone Campbell (Nuns on the Bus) and other community leaders and witnesses regarding their work in the community. * David Eppley acknowledged the Salem Police Departments new inductees and the induction as poignant and beautiful. He also recognized Salem PD for doing an excellent job with outreach and shared the story of police dancing at Salsa Sunday. The Meeting was adjourned.