HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-05-12 Human Relations Advisory Committee Minutesn of Reading
eting Minutes
Board - Committee - Commission - Council:
Human Relations Advisory Committee
Date: 2022-05-12* Time: 7:00
Building: Location:
Address: Session:
Purpose: Monthly Meeting Version:
Attendees: Members - Present:
KECEI.VED
TOWN CLERK
READIN!3 MA.
2022 AUG -8 PM 5: 02
Sherilla Lestrade, Sgt. Patrick Silva, Ally Dowds, Ashley Gross,
Carolyn Whiting, Carolyn Johnson
Members - Not Present:
Kyung Yu, Danielle DeVirgilio
Others Present:
Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Carolyn Johnson
Topics of Discussion:
Meeting of the Human Relations Advisory Committee, May 12, 2022, 7:00 PM Via Zoom
Called to order at 7:18 PM by Chair Sherilla Lestrade. Meeting called to order late due to
Zoom link issues.
Library Report - Ally DOwds
Ally reviewed upcoming events sponsored by the RPL, including: Chalk the Walk on 6/4,
Pride Car Parade on 6/12, Pride Rainbow Run on 6/16 at 3:30, Wee the People event
(Anatomy of a Protest) for grades 6-12, and Summer Reading kick-off with outdoor picnic
and live music on 6/24.
Police Report - Sgt. Silva
Sgt. Silva and Chief Clark recently met with the town's Catholic churches and a local Rabbi
to discuss updating security systems. They also spoke with law enforcement from Texas
about how they handled security situations in their town. They determined that proper
planning and preparation is essential. Sgt. Silva also recently participated in an FBI training
program.
Sgt. Silva reviewed results from the Youth Risk Behavior Survey given to students by the
Coalition. He stressed that a lot of great information can be gleaned from the survey results
including information about race, gender identity, and feelings of safety (or lack of safety).
Rephrasing some questions will be discussed for future surveys in order to clarify them for
middle school students.
Sgt. Silva also brought up the recent graffiti incident in a Joshua Eaton student bathroom.
Although most words weren't legible it did include the word "black". At the time of this
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report the JE principal is considering an age appropriate school assembly with Sgt. Silva
participating. He stated that it will be very difficult to determine the students responsible
for this graffiti. Sherilla feels it should be addressed "head on for what it is". She stressed
the importance of educating people, including children, what is racist and naming those
incidents when they occur. She stated, "If you can write it then you should be taught the
impact of it". She doesn't feel this has been done, and as an example she pointed out a
much more blatant incident that happened at Parker and wasn't handled appropriately or
effectively. Sgt. Silva agreed that more education is needed and that he is happy the
schools are acknowledging his and Sudeshna's roles in addressing these issues.
Review of HRAC Letter to Burbank
There has been no response from the manager at Burbank to the letter HRAC sent last
month.
Other Business
Town Manager, Fidel Maltez, put in a request to have the HRAC email corrected. There will
be a general HRAC email and each HRAC member will get a copy of emails sent to the
general inbox.
HRAC will be sunsetting on May 31, 2022. Sudeshna is forming a board within the Office of
Equity and Social Justice. She is looking for members and volunteers.
Upcoming events: Sherilla reported about the Juneteenth Celebration that will take place
on Saturday, lune 18. It is being sponsored by the Students of Color and Allies (SOCA).
Event will take place at Washington Park, exact times to be determined, movie (Hidden
Figures) will start at approximately 7:30pm or sunset. Sherilla emphasized that they want
it to be a family friendly event and they are looking for volunteers and donations.
Minutes from 4/7/22 were unanimously approved
Meeting adjourned at 8:16pm.
*Minutes from 5/12 meeting submitted without vote due to 5/12/22 being HRAC's sunset
(final) meeting.
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