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Home My WebLink AboutMINUTES - 04011986 - X.13 TO: Ell OARD OF SUPERVISORS FROM: Contra Sunne Wright McPeak Costa DATE: April 1, 1986 County SUBJECT: Human n Relations Commission SPECIFIC REQUEST(S) OR RECOMMENDATION(S) & BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION RECOMMENDATION Accept letters regarding the re-establishment of the countywide human relations commission and refer them to the Internal Operations Committee for consideration in conjunction with deliberations on the issue. Further, request staff to notify the interested organizations when item is scheduled before the I .O. Committee. Letters are attached hereto and by reference incorporated herein. i L I CONTINUED ON ATTACHMENT: YES SIGNATURE: I RECOMMENDATION OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE I, APPROVE OTHER SIGNATURE(S) ACTION OF BOARD ON April 1, 1986 APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED X OTHER VOTE OF SUPERVISORS X UNANIMOUS (ABSENT ) I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS IS A TRUE AYES: INOES: AND CORRECT COPY OF AN ACTION TAKEN ABSENT: I' ABSTAIN: AND ENTERED ON THE MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS ON,THE DATE SHOWN. CC: Internal Operations Committee ATTESTED County Adm lnistrator � Phil Batchelor, Clerk of the Board of t Supervisors and County Administrator !. M982ly-e� BY DEPUTY RECEivEo MAR 2 4 llns'�............ • March 19, 1986 CENTER FOR= NEW AMERICANS Immigrants and Refugees 1371 Detroit Avenue Concord, CA 94520 (415) 798-3492 Sunne Wright McPeak Supervisor, District Four 2301 Stanwell Drive Concord, CA 94520 Dear Sunne, I am so pleased about your proposal to re-establish the County Human Relations[ Commission. Congratulations on your farsightedness. The unity and good relations within the growing, diverse community of Contra Costa is an important element of true "development". It is my opinion that the person who discriminates and feels prejudice towards another human being, is hurting himself the most - whether he knows it or not. The reality is that we all are created from the same dust. Feelin;s of superiority are illusions which distort our perceptions, invade our minds, and affect our relationships with others. I offer my support, and will help with the formation in any way I can. I have many ideas on this- topic, as it is an important theme in my life. I can personally represent new Americans, or can help recruit representatives from ethnic minorities. With warm gards, Gu t Kiani, Director : GK/ts DIABLO VALLEY FILIPINO AMERICAN LEAGUE, INC. (Non Profit Organization) RECEIVE P.O. Box 505, Concord, CA 94520 MAR 2 6 fJ?j An8w............ March 25, 1986 Mrs. Sunne Wrightc eak Contra Costa County Board rf Supervisors Supervisor, District Four 2301 Stanwell Drive Concord, , Ca. 94520 Dear Sunne: I am delighted to learn of your pursuit to re-establish the Human Relations Commission in Contra Costa County. The Diablo Valley Filipino American League of Concord is very much in favor of this. I admire your concern, and want you to know that youjcan count on us for as much support as we can give. I trust that some of the racial incidents that have occurred in our community are just isolated cases. As you know, it took many years for the minorities and women in America to attain their place in our society today. They have earned it and do not want to lose it again. I am happy to know that you are doing something to protect those rights. Thank you, and we salute you for your interest in this important cause for minorities. Cordially yours, C.C. Frial President CCF:sjf , i -nister- I In RECE VEC, M .9 MAR 2 5 ��/A�'�'�+�� IIIA w • O �� 1543 Sunnyvale Ave. together Walnut Creek, CA.94596 (415) 933-6030 Consuelo Bennett, Administrative Director March 24, 1986 Sunne Wright McPeak Supervisor, District Four 2301 Stanwell Dr. Concord, CA 94520 Re: County Human Rights Commission Dear Sunne: The Executive Committee of the Council of Churches of Contra Costa County met last Thursday evening and voted unanimously to endorse the re-establishment of the County Human Rights Commission, and we would hope that the Board of Supervisors will act to do this as soon as possible. Reported indicences of racial, cultural and religious tension are of1concern and we would encourage the re-forming of this commission to address these issues so that our community will truly be a place of fairness, opportunity and justice for all peoplelliving here. We look forward to hearing further about this commission and hope you will let us know when it is formed. Thank you for your support of the issue and for bringing it to our attention. Sincerely, Rev. Stan Smith Consuelo Bennett Council President Administrative Director CB/s SYNOD OF THE PACIFIC R 1S` GOLDEN GATE MISSION AREA �11Sd • 545 ASHBURY AVENUE EL CERRITO,CA 94530 (415)527-9415 P . (4 Pt�J i I � March 19, 1986 PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH (USA) Supervisor Sunne McPeak District §4 2301 Stanwell Drive Concord; CA 94520 Dear Supervisor McPeak: Recent news that the County Board of Supervisor may have interest in asking for a Hunan Relations Commission study and in- vestigation into violence directed toward racial ethnic/minority people in Contra Costa may be the correct step to raise the con- sciousness of county residents. I I hope this interest expressed will not lay dormant. The Contra Costa Times, Tuesday, March 18, 1986, Editorial: CC: no room for racial violence, sounds majestic. My hope is ffEit more people will believe is statement by the DA. We are supportive of a study/investigation on violence directed against racial ethnic/minorities, and urge you to pursue this possibility. Thanks. Sincerely, Sam Yoshioka, Chairperson Racial Ethnic Ministries Committee, SF Presbytery Sy/cc cc: F'i-1e Rev.June Stansbery Rev.Bert Tom Coordinator for Coordinator for Rev.William King Education and Racial Ethnic Ministries Associate Synod Executive Leadership Development I Page IOA--Contra Costa Times Tuesday, Match 18, 1986 CC: no room-, for racial violence Contra Costa County District Attorney Gary Yancey put it well. Commenting on the conviction of a Concord man for a racist attack, he called the verdict an important one "be- cause I think it demonstrates unequivocally that racial violence is unacceptable and that it will not be tolerated in Contra Costa County." ,Harold Gallant and George Harless were charged with assault with a deadly weapon in connection with a Nov. 2 knife attack on two black men, Tony Hall of Antioch and Jeff Miller of Pittsburg. The attack, which occurred outside The Terrace bar on Monument Boule- vard in Concord, left Hall with serious chest wounds that required two operations and three weeks in the hospital. The white assailants wore white, Ku Klux Man-style robes fashioned from sheets. Wit- nesses reported that they called Hall and Miller racist names such as "niggers" and "mon- keys." Harless pleaded guilty to assault charges in January and is awaiting sentencing. Gallant pleaded innocent and his case went to trial. After three hours of deliberation, a Contra Costa County Superior Court jury last week found Gallant guilty of assaulting Hall and Miller with a deadly weapon.The jury also found him guilty of intent to inflict great bodily harm. As a result, Gallant now faces a term of up ito seven years in prison. Hall's father, Gaston, who attended the trial daily with his wife, said the verdict confirmed his! faith in the justice system. "Justice has been served," he said. "It shows that the pea pie here who are fighting for justice in the courthouse are actually worried about justice." The week of the stabbings, Concord Police Chief George Straka called a press conference to warn that, "We are not ping to tolerate this kind of racially motivated activity in this com- munity."If anyone needed to be convinced,the outcome of the Gallant case should make that perfectly dear. ��[AN Phi ®� MEXICAN - AMERICAN POLITICAL ASSOCIATION ISTAT MT. DIABLO CHAPTER g P.O. BOX 4808 ' WALNUT CK, CA 945 CE!VED Z of CALI� � MAR i 8 �an�Q wV V Awd.. March 17, 1986 Sunne Wright McPeak Supervisor, Dist. #4 2301 Stanwell Drive Concord, CA 94520 Dear Supervisor McPeak: We are in receipt of your letter dated March 11 , 1986. We are hereby supporting the proposal for re-establishing the Human Relations Commission. Our Ifirst suggestion is that we would like to be part of the selection process for the delegate who will be repre- senting the Hispanic community of this County on this Commission. Secondly, the Board of Supervisors could also recommend to the Grand Jury of this County to esta- blish a Human Relations Committee that would investigate the racial incidents that occur within this County. We would appreciate being kept informed regarding the Board' s decision respective to this matter. Ver truly yours , I/eaAragon, Chai A D E L A N T E C 0 N M A P A �N p/pif W MEXICAN - AMERICAN POLITICAL ASSOCIATION CONTRA COSTA CHAPTER � z cow ." RECEIVED ESTATE#CAW � March 14, 1985 BAR T f,P An? Sunne Wright McPeak ... .... Supervisor, I District Four 2301 Stonewell Drive Concord, Cal. , 94520 Dear Supervisor McPeak: On February 19, 1986, I was informed by the City of Concord's Camuni.ty Service Caimission regarding regent allegations of discrimination and in- tolerance in the Ccmcord area. In an effort to determine the validity of such camplai,nts, the Ccmdssion requested input and comments from our or- ganization. We are encouraged by the C,cnmissiens ocnmitment to address these issues and appreciate their interest in our input and our views concerning these matters. Like you, we too, were encouraged with Mayor Ron Mullin's proposal for a county-wide body to deal with these type of concerns. We certainly agree with you and support your effort to re-establish the County Human Relations Camnissien. Only with direct input frau residents of Contra.Costa County can we begin to work toward suggested changes to make our County the best possible canmmity for all its citizens. At our regularly held membership meeting we voted to endorse the re=n- mendation to re-establish the County Human Relations Commission. If thereis any way we can be of assistance, please feel free to contact ne at 439-1893. Si-n--ceerell�y, A- "% Richard Lujan, Chairman Contra Costa Chapter A D E L A N T E C 0 N M A P A I r.Z/.:3t1T10N G:� aiy F,;�ini;:retor .Ai C pis, Services �. . _ . Fp �unity Deveto;.mt 6 ent 25Sierra Drive QMr" Walnut Creek. Ca. 94596 c_r.ty j CCorrsEl March 9 r 1986 1Sa�, RECEI' D.. Tom Powers, Chairman MAR 12 1966 County Board of Supervisors rW e.a;c►•rlo2 Contra Costa County qA.O A os SUPERVISORS 651 Pine Street e Deputy Martinez, California 94553 Deari Mr. Powers: �� It is my understanding the board is considering the re-establishment of a countywide Human Relations Commission. I fully endorse this recommendation. As you are aware, -for many years I have .been a member of several Hispanic organizations throughout the county and have been directly involved with problems and concerns of the Hispanic community. I also participated in addressing the problems of ..KKK 'activity in Tara Hills several years ago. At the February 22, 1986 meeting of the NAACP in Concord I was asked to speak on racial problems and the His- panic community. Although the local law enforcement agencies try to assure us there is no organized KKK organization in our area I am not convinced there isn't based on recent incidents in the City of Concord. I would .not want to wait until there is overt, blatant KKK acti- vity in our midst before we organized to monitor any racial problems. The main problem facing the Hispanic community in central county, in my opinion, is related to the Concord Police Department. It is a fact that some Hispanic youth are being arrested by the police and are being charged with felonies for what we consider to be minor offenses= our youth are being systematically arrested and being tried in the courts and "sent away" to CYA. We have asked that the officer involved with the juvenile department and mainly responsible for this type activity be removed from his position but to no avail. I would endorse the recommendation that both the county and the city of Concord establish .a review group relative to human, intergroup, multicultural relations. Sincerely yours, Rudy Q. Rodriguez cc: , City of Concord I 1 J l International I f' RECEIVED Of the East Bay MAR AnoV............ ! 297 Lee Street • Oakland, California 94610 • Telephone 451-2846 7 BOARD OF DIRECTORS March 19, 1986 President Rudolph Beserre Vice Presidents Sunne Wright Mc Peak Sanford Wechsler '2301 Stanwell Drive Dr.Herbert K.Chung Concord, CA 94520 Mrs.Robert G.Gaines Secretary Mrs.Stefan Riesenfeld Dear Sunne: Treasurer f Robert Nelson f Thank you for your letter concerning the Human Relations Timothy Abel Commission. We at the International Institute have been trying Mrs.Ignacio Aquino for years to help the many aspects the county to recognize that Mrs.Herbert H.Blasdale Giulio P.Soeri the population is changing. Dr.Helen Buckholtz Jackie Davis Paul G.de Alva Many members of ethnic minority groups are moving into Mrs.Arthur L.Guerra the county to join in the benefits it provides. All too often Mrs.Cranston W.Hulse f are met ion Mrs.Hewitt Kendall t in eyears. Manytl owerci ncometpeopl edhavesal soejoi joined hadn't them owns tired J.B.L.Libresco Edith Loving Philip J.Martin come areas of the country where the "blight" is a little 1 ess Christine Moore intense than other urban centers. They too face discrimination Kenneth Morrison William Penn Mott,Jr. but often they have handled it before and cope at a different Elizabeth E.Pfeiffer level than middle class minorities. Mrs.Bertha M.Riley Mrs.Ralph Rose W.L.Rothschild,Jr. I urge you to establish a Human Rights Commission and to Mrs.Kazuko Tsuchiya Leon von Schachtmayer place on that Commission community and civic leaders who have John C.Weaver,Jr.,M.D. themselves the power to act for better human relations in their Dr.Aline Wierzbianska jobs and community as well as in the Commission. I am not certain Life Members I Anthony Astorgano that such a commission can resolve racial probl ems. I would hope Sam Lazar their task would be to aggressively support the diversity and Dr.Elizabeth Lowe richness of our communities and their ethnic heritage. Too Mrs.C.G.Morrison Mrs.Derry Dean Sparlin often we become experts on the problems when we should learn how Reiko Homma True,Ph.D. to develop healthy communities. Executive Director Miss Zoe Borkowski,M.S.W. Contra Costa BranchThe Commission could also p t`rov i de a place where problems � Dr.Roger O'Connor,Advisor are discussed and where resolutions could be sought. I prefer Heyward Branch to accent the true value of our diversity. Timothy Abel,Advisor Member-American Council for As always, thanks for taking the lead on difficult Nationalities Service issues. We need the likes of you! w Sincerely, oe Borkowski , M.S.W. Executive Director ZB:nc Centra Costa County 2717 N.Main Street,Walnut Creek CA 9459 . (415) 945- 322 A United Way Agency b Southern Alameda County office -24301 Southland Drive,Suite 320, Hayward,CA 94545 •(415) 783-1853