Human rights group formed
Committee to take action to reflect December resolution
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. >> A Saratoga Springs Human Rights Action Committee has been formed by Mayor Joanne Yepsen.
In early December, the City Council unanimously passed a resolution saying the council stands against any and all acts, by any person or persons, that are intended to demean, devalue, or intimate other because of their race, ethnicity, nation of origin, religion, gender, sexual identity, disability or political views. To the full extend of our authority, we will remain united, as a council and as a community, to safeguard the rights and privileges of everyone in our city.
“In my mind, this formation of a human rights group for Saratoga Springs as a city is going to be an opportunity to lead action to reflect this resolution,” Yepsen said Friday. “We don’t want to just be words on paper; we want
walk the walk, not just talk the talk.”
The mission statement of the committee reads, “To empower, educate and advocate for everyone in the city of Saratoga Springs and to create, build and sustain a welcoming, inclusive, safe and united community.”
The committee has four goals: to foster mutual respect, understanding and acceptance of diversity through education, training and collaboration; to empower citizens to realize their rights as well as the rights of others and to assist those responsible for upholding such rights; to uphold the city council’s resolution as well as New York State’s Human Rights law, which affords every citizen an equal opportunity to enjoy a full and productive life; and to facilitate communication and collaboration among local groups and organizations with compatible missions.
One member of the human rights committee, Hollyday Hammond, said she’s very excited the city stepped up to create a human rights commission.
“We have a lot of social justice issues, human rights issues that our country as a whole has failed to adequately address,” said Hammond. “So because I live in Saratoga, it matters to me that my community strives to be more inclusive and sensitive to the needs of all people and that’s what we’re working to do.”
Yepsen said the human rights group was an idea that came up a year ago.
“It was, how can we be a better city?” said Yepsen. “Being a better city means that we take care of our citizens. This city is not just buildings and landscapes, but we’re a community and the biggest asset is our citizens.”
It is expected there will be a seven-member human rights task force created by the second city council meeting in April. The mayor will appoint people to the task force,
The task force will plan a public forum and host different programming to remain proactive, Yepsen said.
“Educational events really engage the community by increasing awareness and encouraging and fostering dialogue about various human rights and social justice issues,” said Hammond.
Individuals can apply for a position on the task force through the city’s website. The deadline to apply will be Wednesday, April 12.
“This is a need. This is a message that I want to be clear about of what kind of city we are,” said Yepsen. “I think we have an opportunity here to get all these different groups and individuals who have an interest in this together to make our city an even better place.”