Human Relations Commission Under Attack (Again)

Human Relations Commission Under Attack (Again)
By Mike Rhodes
editor, Community Alliance magazine

The Fresno City Human Relations Commission (HRC) came under attack again this week. This attack was launched by City Council member Jerry Duncan, with assistance from council member Brain Calhoun, Mayor Alan Autry, and the City managers department.

Before going into the details on this new attack and how things turned out, allow me to speculate on WHY this agency is under constant attack. My theory is that the HRC is an effective force for promoting cultural diversity, honoring the role of leaders like Martin Luther King, and is using conflict resolution techniques to resolve problems in the community. Therefore, in the eyes of certain right wing political forces at City Hall, the HRC is being accused of abandoning their mission. They don’t believe that the HRC should support workers struggling for a living wage, help to organize activities honoring MLK and Cesar Chavez, or to make the connections between the war in Iraq and poverty in this city.

I have seen the HRC do a lot of good work in this community. They were there when the police over-reacted during an anti-sweatshop demonstration at the Fashion Fair mall, which I was involved with. At that demonstration the Fresno Police Department brought in over 100 officers, many in riot gear, the police helicopter, and several buses to haul protestors away in. 19 nonviolent anti-sweatshop protestors were arrested that day. The HRC brought the community and the police together to discuss the outrageous show of forced used against protestors. The discussion helped both sides understand what factors led to this police over reaction and will make it less likely that the police to behave this way in the future.

In addition to bringing community groups to City Hall to discuss and resolve problems with government agencies, the HRC plays a central roll in numerous community events. One of the most prominent events is the annual Martin Luther King day parade that brings out thousands to honor the goals and work of Dr. King. This year’s march was one of the biggest ever. Marching on the eve of the U.S. invasion of Iraq many marchers carried signs calling on an end to American aggression and No Blood for Oil. All of the elected City officials want to be at the front of the MLK march and speak at this event. I thought it was amusing to see our Republican Mayor marching at the head of the MLK march with all of those anti-war signs. But, maybe he was not amused. Could this be his revenge?

The HRC also sponsors many events honoring Cesar Chavez in the community. The desire by the Latino community to name a street after Cesar Chavez has been a thorn in Mayor Autry’s side ever since he was elected. Autry tried to set up a commission to divide the community by naming a desolate downtown street after Chavez. Most Latino’s want Ventura/Kings Canyon, which runs through South East Fresno to be named after Chavez. In short, the HRC is an advocate for justice, they honor those who have advocated for peace, and respect cultural diversity. That is why they are under attack by Duncan and other right wing forces at City Hall.

On Tuesday, June 10 there was a hearing at the City Council scheduled for 1:30 PM to determine the fate of the HRC. Most people in the community found out about this hearing 24 hours ahead of time. About 75 people showed up to support the HRC, as the future of the agency was on the line. It is likely that more people would have showed up, but the City Clerks office told callers that the HRC was not on the agenda that day. Those of us that showed up at 1:30 PM were told that there would be a slight delay. An hour and a half later they opened the doors to the council chambers. Then, the 50 people that were left, were made to endure a parade of bureaucrats as they discussed the trivia of their department’s budget. I can’t say if the purpose of the delay and the bureaucrats dog and pony show was intended to discourage people, but if an item is on the City Council agenda for a specific time, it should be heard at that time. Not everyone can take a half day off from work to hear an item that could easily be handled in less than one hour.

When the issue of the HRC did get discussed, council president Tom Boyajian insisted that the issue to be addressed was only whether the HRC should be transferred to the Parks and Recreation department and whether to “adjust” their staff’s responsibilities. He did not want to hear people praising the work of the HRC. In spite of Boyajian’s best efforts, speaker after speaker spoke about the virtues and importance of the HRC in this community. "The message is very clear," said Richard Stone, form the Fresno Center for Nonviolence. Transferring the HRC out of City Hall and putting it in parks and recreation, gives it "inferior status and downgrades the services it gives." Other speakers told the council of how the HRC has benefitted the community and demanded that full funding be maintained.

Fortunately, several council members strongly support the HRC and motions were put forward to save the agency. Council members Mike Dages and Cynthia Steerling proposed that the agency stay in City Hall and that funding and staff remain the same as in this fiscal year. There appears to be support to pass this proposal when it comes to a vote. HRC chairperson Gail Gaston told me this vote will occur on Tuesday, June 17. The Fresno Bee reported that the vote will take place on Tuesday, June 24. The HRC will need 4 votes to win the vote. If the proposal to maintain funding for the HRC passes, which is expected, it will go the mayor who could veto it. If the motion is vetoed it will take 5 votes to over ride the veto.

To see a story on Indymedia about previous attacks on the HRC go to: http://www.indybay.org/news/2003/03/1591418.php

There was also an interesting story about the HRC in Wednesday’s Fresno Bee. To read that article, go to: http://www.fresnobee.com/local/politics/story/6939885p-7874605c.html