Human Relations Executive Director Report
- April, 2003 -

Human Relations Commission Lorraine Bradley .....President Shoukat Ali Hussain .....Vice President Philip Bartenetti Leni Boorstin Rabbi Elazar Muskin Mary Ann Pagsibigan Warren Steinberg David Wexler

City of Los Angeles James K. Hahn Mayor M E M O R A N D U M

Human Relations Department 200 N. Spring Street, City Hall Room 1625 Los Angeles, CA 90012 213 / 978-1660 213 / 978-1668 fax Rabbi Allen I. Freehling .....Executive Director .....rabbiallenf@mailbox.lacity.org

The multi-dimensional aspects of our work here were in clear view during these last several weeks. And, I believe that it's important that they be highlighted and discussed, since they provide credence for our continually evolving into a department whose influence affects both the work of our city government and the lives of those constituents which it serves with commitment and distinction.

BRIEFING IN-COMING MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL

Continuing the practice that we initiated when Bernard Parks was elected to serve on the City Council and then promptly sworn into office, early this month we conferred with both Antonio Villaraigosa and Tony Cardenas.

The purpose of these two conversations was to brief them on the efforts of our Commission, to discuss the ways in which members of our staff and theirs should interact for the benefit of those men, women and children who reside in their respective Council Districts, and to concentrate on significant issues that are extant in those areas in which they will begin to serve as of July 1.

These discussions were fruitful, and it's obvious that they will be the foundation upon which the newly elected Council Members and their staffs will depend upon, since they know from the outset of their tenures that ours is a supportive and trustworthy relationship -thanks to the devotion, energy and unrelenting interest of our department's personnel.

Clearly, the word "partnership" describes the nature of this newly formed accord, which we have offered them and that has been enthusiastically accepted.

In like manner, it is our intent to meet with those who are elected in next month's run-off to serve as Council Members from Districts 10 and 12.

BEING OF ASSISTANCE TO FAITH BASED AND COMMUNITY BASED ORGANIZATIONS

Conversations this month have enabled us and our colleagues from the Mayor's Office, the Community Development Department and Merrill-Lynch to complete a collaborative planning process, which will result in local faith based and community based organizations being able to easily access information regarding how they may apply for grants that are being made available via a White House initiative.

Here is an example of how our participating as a prime collaborator can provide dividends within both the public and private sector.

And, I believe that all of us ought to single out for praise and thanks this department's Henrietta Williams, who has been functioning as the facilitator of this worthwhile effort.

ANOTHER WAY IN WHICH WE AND LAPD ARE LINKED TOGETHER

As a result of a meeting that we initiated with Gerald Chalef, members of the Commission's staff are now being asked to help turn out people, who have thus far not attended community meetings mandated by the Consent Decree.

Acknowledging the fact that its ramifications must be understood by a vast cross-section of Angelenos, and hearing from Gerry that up until now audiences attending these regularly scheduled sessions have not been wholly representative of those respective areas, our Field Team will activate their individual data bases in an effort to bring additional people into this informational/dialogue process.

EXTENDING OUR REACH INTO THE LATINO COMMUNITY

Wanting both clergy and non-clergy leaders to know that we are most anxious to intensify our relationship with them and those whom they lead, we involved ourselves in two symbolic acts while initiating an activity that should eventually do much to lower Latino-African American tensions.

In the first instances, I participated in a community event at LaPlacita Church where we honored the memory of Father Luis Oliveras, whom we lost ten years ago.

For many years, I had worked with "Father Louie" in an effort to reduce the presence of AIDS in our community and in support of his leading the local sanctuary movement; it was of great benefit to Central Americans, who made their way here -much against the wishes of the Reagan Administration.

Along these same lines, I chose to be in attendance as this department's representative when a postage stamp was unveiled in tribute to Cesar Chavez on the tenth anniversary of his passing.

During the years when he led the United Fruit Workers, I was one of a small handful of rabbis who chose to be his allies in the union's struggle against horrible working/living conditions manifest by heartless California growers.

As noted last week in a message addressed to both Eric Brown and Council Member Janice Hahn, along with Emily Williams of our staff, I met with Arturo Ybarra, who provided us with a considerable amount of information regarding African American-Latino stresses in the Watts area, and especially in public housing facilities.

In hopes that we might rectify situations that have been festering and increasing in intensity for too long a time, I have proposed that a task force be convened, so we might begin to plan for a summit conference where all of the facts are laid on the table and recommended solutions are proffered. It is certainly within the scope of our department's mandate that we should initiate such an event, and it is my hope that we might facilitate its coming into being without delay, but only after the concept is approved by both Janice and Eric.

CONTINUING THE PROCESS OF TYING US TOGETHER WITH COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES

In addition to uncovering possibilities for us to bring to our department students from several campuses -young people who wish to serve as interns here -we are also carrying on conversations with decision-makers regarding our finding sites for public gatherings, etc.

The most recent conversation within this context occurred earlier this month when we met over lunch with Frank Gilliam, UCLA's associate vice chancellor for community partnerships. Now that a seed has been planted, we plan to nurture it by providing him with several specific programmatic ideas, so as to maintain our dialogue and make things happen that will link our department and the institution which he represents.

A SERIES OF PUBLIC FORUMS IS NOW ABOUT TO HAPPEN

Partnering with the Mayor's Office -especially Deputy Mayor Eric Brown and Shannon Jefferson -a considerable amount of time this month was spent making arrangements to offer the community-at-large seven opportunities to explore the existence of hate crimes and language, and for those in attendance to consider ways to mitigate the damage that is inflicted when bias and prejudice run rampant.

These forums will occur next month in venues conveniently located in each of the Planning Department's specifically defined areas.

We have been assured that we have the support of the Mayor's Press Office, the Department of Neighborhood Empowerment, all members of the City Council, and a cross-section of faith community and social justice non-profit organizations to bring these gatherings to the attention of many, many people.

Our report in May will include a summary of what happens, as well as any recommendations, which may be generated from this particular activity.

CONTINUING TO NETWORK WITH OTHER CITY DEPARTMENTS

This month, we met with Larry Keller, who is the General Manager of the Harbor Department, to determine if there is a supportive role our staff may play for the benefit of personnel who are determined to enhance the effectiveness of the city's ports.

Following a most productive conversation, specific proposals have been proffered and are now being discussed. In subsequent reports, we shall reflect on what occurs.

EXAMINING THE NEGATIVE EFFECTS OF THE BUSH ADMINISTRATION'S PATRIOT ACTS l and II

I was invited to sit in on a meeting of a coalition of community activists who are greatly concerned about the denial of certain fundamental rights, which are sanctioned in the Patriot Acts.

Without question, the human relations aspects are abundant; however, one of the group's plans is to seek City Council support by means of a resolution that is currently being drafted for the members' consideration.

Under these circumstances, I have chosen to refrain from actively participating in the group's subsequent discussions for obvious reasons, but we will monitor their activities and determine if there is an appropriate role for us to play while maintaining our extraordinary relationship with Council members, et al.

FIRMING UP LINKS WITH DOWNTOWN MERCHANTS AND OTHERS

Believing that there are some human dynamics issues that naturally affect those who live and work in downtown Los Angeles, we scheduled a meeting with Carol Schatz, who is the CEO of Central City Associates.

Concentrating on a number of matters, such as the presence of a large contingent of homeless people, the existence of public safety issues, etc., it was agreed that I would be invited to sit on one or more of CCA's standing committees as a means of firming up some links between them and us, because this networking is absolutely essential if certain problems are to be resolved in the best interest of everyone concerned.