04/08/1981 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

e IV. COUNCIL DISCUSSION ON RACIAL HARASSMENT PROTECTIONS (memo distributed) e Mr. Gleason introduced Kent Gorham, Human Rights Specialist for the City. Mr. Gorham explained that this item appeared on the agenda in response to recent incidents of harassment. It came at the request of the Human Rights Council and ,the Eugene Chapter of the NAACP. In the last two months, residents of Eugene have received racist articles and letters. Others have had their homes defaced, property tampered with, and have received unsolicited emergency equipment calls as a result of their minority status. The Salem and Portland areas have been experiencing similar incidents of racial harassment toward minority group members within the last four months. The State Legislature is considering four bills which would provide civil and criminal penalties upon conviction of harassment against a person because of a person's class status. The Human Rights Commissions and the Legislative Subcommittee have indicated their support for appropriate State legislation to combat future incidents. The Human Rights Council, coordinating body for the five Human Rights Commissions, met last week to discuss the appropriate vehicle to the City to ensure continued protection for human rights. Mr. Gorham introduced Baruch Fischhoff, chairman of the Human Rights Council, and Willie Polite, president of the Eugene Chapter of the NAACP. Mr. Fischhoff explained that the Human Rights Council had discussed the acts of harassment and determined to bring it before the City Council. He read a statement that expressed the sentiment of that meeting. The statement called for leadership and the council's continued effort to lend weight to these human rights issues. He decried the hateful scattering of people that would harass a person because of race, religion, national origin, lifestyle, or sex. He suggested that council hold a public hearing. The hearing, he suggested, might give temporary encouragement to harassers, but he believed a hearing would show them that they are in the minority and make this a new ending for hatred and intolerance. Mr. Polite asked the City Council to pass an ordinance. He said everyone was against harassment. Since the Green incident, the mail at his house has included 200 letters and 75 phone calls with sympathy for the victims. Prejudice is an everyday occurrence in Eugene, but letters and phone calls are bad. He said there are people who are afraid. An ordinance would help to eliminate fear. Other families are experiencing harassment. Ms. Green wanted the citizens to know the Eugene Branch of the NAACP is asking the council to pass an ordinance to make acts of harassment a criminal offense. None of the current ordinances protect the families from what they are experiencing. Ms. Miller asked council if they would like to hear from others who would like to testify. Ms. Smith asked whether, if council directed staff to prepare a new ordinance, a public hearing would occur at the time of its passage. Mr. Long said that that is tradition of the council and that is the way staff behaves unless directed otherwise. Ms. Smith favored hearing from a few people. e MINUTES--Eugene City Council April 8, 1981 Page 9