Medford Human Rights Commission

December 10, 2014

Present: Chief Leo Sacco, Marie Cassidy, Dale Bryan, Diane McLeod, Muhammad Chowdhury,

Judy Kaplan, Charlotte Swartz, and Neil Osborne - NAACP

Not present: David Harris and Lois Bronnenkant

Introductions

Public Participation

None

November Minutes

Judy motioned to accept and Dale seconded, all in favor.

Old Business

Draft Ordinance

Diane was just able to meet with the Solicitor this afternoon to review all additional suggestions.

Dale wanted to make sure that all public places (i.e.: parks, sidewalks, etc.) were covered and

Judy wanted to add that if officers serve a term and an additional term, they could serve again

after a 1 year break. All agreed with both items and Diane asked the Solicitor to address both

these issues. Solicitor Rumley noted that all public places are covered and we can add the break

in service. With that Marie motioned to accept the ordinance as amended, Chief Sacco

seconded, all in favor. Diane will make the changes and get it to the Solicitor for finalization. We

will hope to get this to the Council for the 16th or the first meeting in January. Diane will let

everyone know.

MLK Day

Neil agreed that the NAACP wants to coordinate MLK Day with the HRC. Dale will touch base

with David, as he was stuck at an event and not present. Dale mentioned the possibility of not

having at the WMCC so as to involve different parts of the city. Diane mentioned limited options

in the city. Schools are a possibility, but custodial staff would have to be paid. Dale mentioned

the program at MHS with Dr. Bernard Lafayette, and how taken the youth were. He wants to

involve those youth in MLK day. He asked Muhammad to get youth involved as well. He noted

that he sent David the ‘Black Eyed Peas’ rap version of ‘Where is the Love’. This would involve

discussion about injustice, fighting, and inequities in the world and asking ‘where is the love?’

He would like the youth to recall a time they felt disrespected or how they felt a lack of dignity

in the City. He wants this to involve all youth in the city and not make it a black and white issue.

The second piece would be to recall a time they felt they were treated with dignity and

respected. Diane suggested they also try to address how they can change or do something

positive to help negate the disrespect and/or lack of dignity. There was discussion. Marie felt

she could get youth from the school Impact group. She will contact Michael Skorker and Amiee

Saultnier and possibly the Boys and Girls Club. Neil is concerned that youth may not want to

participate. We discussed ways to encourage youth involvement. We want the youth to be the

voice for the community.

Marie will follow up with the MHS staff and the Boys and Girls Club. Nil will be meeting with

youth tomorrow and follow up.

International Family Day

On hold for now

New Business

Ferguson/NY Discussion

This will be incorporated into our MLK Day event

Correspondence & Announcements

None

Motion to adjourn by Charlotte seconded by the Chief, all in favor. Meeting adjourned at

6:50PM.

Next meeting date - January 14, 2015