REGULAR MEETING of the HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION Monday, June 24, 2024, 6:00 p.m. Austin City Hall, Room 1101 301 W. 2nd St Austin, Texas Some members of the Human Rights Commission may be participating by videoconference. Public comment will be allowed in-person or remotely via telephone. Speakers may only register to speak on an item once either in-person or remotely and will be allowed up to three minutes to provide their comments. Registration no later than noon the day before the meeting is required for remote participation by telephone. To register to speak remotely, contact Eric Anderson at eric.anderson@austintexas.gov or (512) 974-2562. CURRENT COMMISSIONERS: Kolby Duhon, Chair (He/They) Gabriella Zeidan, Vice Chair Alicia Weigel (She/They) Michael Stevenson Muneeb ‘Meebs’ Aslam (He/Him) Morgan Davis (He/Him) Mariana Krueger (She/Her) Jeffrey Clemmons Srini Raghavan Harriett Kirsh Pozen Danielle Bryant CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL AGENDA The first ten speakers signed up prior to the meeting being called to order will each be allowed a three-minute allotment to address their concerns regarding items not posted on the agenda. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Human Rights Commission Special Called Meeting on May 20, 2024. DISCUSSION ITEM 2. Discussion of the State of Texas' Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Ban (Senate Bill 17). DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS Approve a recommendation to Council to address the rise in drug overdoses in the City of Austin, promote the legalization of fentanyl testing strips, and promote harm reduction efforts. Approve a recommendation to Council on public safety at Austin Pride Parade and Pride Events. 3. 4. 5. COMMITTEE UPDATES FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Update from the Joint Inclusion Committee on the Commission on Veterans Affairs joining the Joint Inclusion Committee and the City of Austin Poet Laureate Program. ADJOURNMENT The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the American with Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal access to communications will be provided upon request. Meeting locations are planned with wheelchair access. If requiring Sign Language Interpreters or alternative formats, please give notice at least 2 days (48 hours) before the meeting date. (512) 974-2562 or Please contact Eric Anderson, Office of eric.anderson@austintexas.gov for additional information; TTY users route through Relay Texas at 711. For more information on the Human Rights Commission, please contact Eric Anderson at (512) 974-2562 or eric.anderson@austintexas.gov. the City Clerk at
HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION SPECIAL CALLED MEETING MINUTES MONDAY MAY 20, 2024 The Human Rights Commission convened in a special called meeting on May 20, 2024, at 6310 Wilhelmina Delco Dr. in Austin, Texas. Chair Duhon called the Human Rights Commission meeting to order at 6:07 p.m. Commissioners in Attendance: Kolby Duhon, Chair Gabriella Zeidan, Vice Chair Harriet Kirsh Pozen Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: Meebs Aslam Danielle Bryant Jeffrey Clemmons Morgan Davis Mariana Krueger Commissioners Absent: Srini Raghavan Michael Stevenson Alicia Weigel PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL None. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Human Rights Commission meeting on April 22, 2024. The minutes from the meeting of April 22, 2024, were approved on Commissioner Clemmons’ Motion, Commissioner Krueger’s second on an 8-0 vote. Commissioners Raghavan, Stevenson, and Weigel were absent. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 1 3. 2. Approve a recommendation to condemn the enactment of the State of Texas' Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion ban (Senate Bill 17) and its effect on the University of Texas. The recommendation was approved with the following friendly amendments on Vice Chair Zeidan’s motion, Commissioner Kirsh Pozen’s second on an 8-0 vote. Commissioners Raghavan, Stevenson, and Weigel were absent. The friendly amendment from Chair Duhon was to add a section six to the Be It Resolved Section to read as follows. This was accepted by the maker of the motion, Vice Chair Zeidan. “6. The Commission calls on Council to support budget recommendation 20240325-06 titled Addressing the Ban on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Initiatives passed by this body at the March 25th, 2024 meeting.” The friendly amendment from Commissioner Clemmons was to revise section five of the Be It Resolved section to read as follows. This was accepted by the maker of the motion, Vice Chair Zeidan. “5. The Commission recommends the City Clerk to forward a copy of this resolution to the Governor of Texas, the Lieutenant Governor, Chair of the Texas Legislature Higher Education Committee, members of the Texas Legislature, the President of the University of Texas at Austin, and other relevant stakeholders.” Approve a recommendation to call on City Council to engage with the University of Texas to cease the use of police force to suppress student protests, work with student activists to find peaceful and constructive solutions, protect free speech and peaceful protest, protect student rights, and call on City Council to investigate the use of force and arrests of …
COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Human Rights Commission Recommenda2on Number: (20240624): Resolu2on on Addressing the Rise in Drug Overdoses in the City of Aus2n and Promo2ng the Legaliza2on of Fentanyl Tes2ng Strips and Harm Reduc2on Efforts WHEREAS the War on Drugs describes the con<nued prohibi<on and criminaliza<on of a broad set of substances under the Controlled Substances Act; and WHEREAS harm reduc<on, in the context of substance use, is a community-oriented public health and safety approach aimed at reducing the nega<ve consequences associated with the use of substances; and WHEREAS harm reduc<on is one of the four core strategies being implemented by the Department of Health and Human Services to address the ongoing opioid crisis; and WHEREAS Travis County has experienced a significant increase in drug overdoses, exacerbated by the prevalence of fentanyl and other synthe<c opioids; and WHEREAS the opioid crisis con<nues to devastate families and communi<es, with fentanyl being a leading cause of overdose deaths, killing five Texans daily in the previous year; and WHEREAS the Texas Legislature passed several bills into law in 2023 to combat the fentanyl crisis, including measures to distribute naloxone on college campuses and to increase public awareness of the dangers of fentanyl; and WHEREAS fentanyl test strips, proven to be highly effec<ve in detec<ng the presence of fentanyl in drugs, are a cri<cal harm reduc<on tool that can save lives by allowing individuals to test substances before use; and WHEREAS research shows that fentanyl test strips are between 96 percent and 100 percent accurate, providing a cost-efficient method to prevent overdoses; and WHEREAS despite bipar<san support in the Texas House of Representa<ves, the bill to decriminalize fentanyl test strips did not pass in the Senate, leaving Texas as one of the few states where these lifesaving tools remain illegal; and WHEREAS public health experts, families affected by fentanyl-related tragedies, and medical professionals advocate for the decriminaliza<on and widespread availability of fentanyl test strips to reduce overdose deaths; and WHEREAS other states have successfully implemented the distribu<on of test strips through community health centers, convenience stores, and vending machines, some<mes for free, demonstra<ng their feasibility and efficacy in harm reduc<on efforts; and WHEREAS legal barriers to accessing fentanyl test strips hinder harm reduc<on organiza<ons from receiving funding and distribu<ng these essen<al tools to those in need; and WHEREAS the availability of fentanyl test strips allows individuals to make more informed decisions, poten<ally preven<ng drug use or …
COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION Recommendation on Public Safety at Austin Pride Parade and Pride Events WHEREAS the City of Austin has formally recognized Pride month with an official proclamation “reaffirming the City’s commitment to inclusivity, equity, and allyship”; and WHEREAS Pride month and surrounding celebrations have been prominent to Austin’s culture since its first Pride week in 1982; and WHEREAS members of the LGBTQIA+ community continue to be targets of hate incidents, violent threats, and extremist legislation; and WHEREAS Pride events in Austin have been canceled this year due to bomb and death threats; and WHEREAS Pride events in Austin have been canceled this year due to bomb and death threats, such as the cancellation of the "Legendary Drag Brunch and Market" due to a bomb threat; and WHEREAS Texas has seen a significant increase in reported anti-LGBTQ+ hate crimes, with Austin experiencing a rise from 12 incidents in 2019 to 51 in 2023; and WHEREAS these threats limit Austin’s ability to be the most livable city in the country; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City of Austin’s Human Rights Commission that the Austin City Council calls upon relevant public safety departments to implement additional safety measures for the August 2024 Pride Parade and subsequent events. These measures should include, but not be limited to: ● Adequate street closures for the Austin Pride Parade to eliminate vehicle traffic in the immediate area; ● Deployment of both uniformed and plainclothes officers in surrounding areas; ● Briefing local FBI authorities on recent bomb threats and other hate crimes related to the LGBTQIA+ community to monitor and address any active threats. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Austin City Council utilizes the resources of the We All Belong campaign to increase public awareness of the purpose and significance of Pride and all related events, including the August Pride Parade. Date of Approval: _____________________________ Record of the vote: Attest: _____________________________________________ (Staff or board member can sign)
COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Human Rights Commission Recommendation Number 20240624-003: Addressing the Rise in Drug Overdoses in the City of Austin and Promoting the Legalization of Fentanyl Testing Strips and Harm Reduction Efforts WHEREAS the War on Drugs describes the continued prohibition and criminalization of a broad set of substances under the Controlled Substances Act; and WHEREAS harm reduction, in the context of substance use, is a community-oriented public health and safety approach aimed at reducing the negative consequences associated with the use of substances; and WHEREAS harm reduction is one of the four core strategies being implemented by the Department of Health and Human Services to address the ongoing opioid crisis; and WHEREAS Travis County has experienced a significant increase in drug overdoses, exacerbated by the prevalence of fentanyl and other synthetic opioids; and WHEREAS the opioid crisis continues to devastate families and communities, with fentanyl being a leading cause of overdose deaths, killing five Texans daily in the previous year; and WHEREAS the Texas Legislature passed several bills into law in 2023 to combat the fentanyl crisis, including measures to distribute naloxone on college campuses and to increase public awareness of the dangers of fentanyl; and WHEREAS fentanyl test strips, proven to be highly effective in detecting the presence of fentanyl in drugs, are a critical harm reduction tool that can save lives by allowing individuals to test substances before use; and WHEREAS research shows that fentanyl test strips are between 96 percent and 100 percent accurate, providing a cost-efficient method to prevent overdoses; and WHEREAS despite bipartisan support in the Texas House of Representatives, the bill to decriminalize fentanyl test strips did not pass in the Senate, leaving Texas as one of the few states where these lifesaving tools remain illegal; and WHEREAS public health experts, families affected by fentanyl-related tragedies, and medical professionals advocate for the decriminalization and widespread availability of fentanyl test strips to reduce overdose deaths; and WHEREAS other states have successfully implemented the distribution of test strips through community health centers, convenience stores, and vending machines, sometimes for free, demonstrating their feasibility and efficacy in harm reduction efforts; and WHEREAS legal barriers to accessing fentanyl test strips hinder harm reduction organizations from receiving funding and distributing these essential tools to those in need; and WHEREAS the availability of fentanyl test strips allows individuals to make more informed decisions, potentially preventing drug use or modifying usage …
COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION Recommendation Number 20240624-004: Public Safety at Austin Pride Parade and Pride Events WHEREAS the City of Austin has formally recognized Pride month with an official proclamation “reaffirming the City’s commitment to inclusivity, equity, and allyship”; and WHEREAS Pride month and surrounding celebrations have been prominent to Austin’s culture since its first Pride week in 1982; and WHEREAS members of the LGBTQIA+ community continue to be targets of hate incidents, violent threats, and extremist legislation; and WHEREAS Pride events in Austin have been canceled this year due to bomb and death threats, such as the cancellation of the "Legendary Drag Brunch and Market" due to a bomb threat; and WHEREAS Texas has seen a significant increase in reported anti-LGBTQ+ hate crimes, with Austin experiencing a rise from 12 incidents in 2019 to 51 in 2023; and WHEREAS these threats limit Austin’s ability to be the most livable city in the country. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City of Austin’s Human Rights Commission that the Austin City Council calls upon relevant public safety departments to implement additional safety measures for the August 2024 Pride Parade and subsequent events. These measures should include, but not be limited to: ● Adequate street closures for the Austin Pride Parade to eliminate vehicle traffic in the immediate area; ● Deployment of both uniformed and plainclothes officers in surrounding areas; ● Briefing local FBI authorities on recent bomb threats and other hate crimes related to the LGBTQIA+ community to monitor and address any active threats. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Austin City Council utilizes the resources of the We All Belong campaign to increase public awareness of the purpose and significance of Pride and all related events, including the August Pride Parade. Date of Approval: June 24, 2024 Record of the vote: The recommendation was approved on Commissioner Davis’ motion, Commissioner Aslam’s second on a 10-0 vote. Commissioner Krueger was absent. Attest: _____________________________________________ Eric Anderson, Staff Liaison, Office of the City Clerk
HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING MINUTES MONDAY JUNE 24, 2024 The Human Rights Commission convened in a regular meeting on June 24, 2024, at 301 W. 2nd Street in Austin, Texas. Chair Duhon called the Human Rights Commission meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Commissioners in Attendance: Kolby Duhon, Chair Gabriella Zeidan, Vice Chair Jeffrey Clemmons Morgan Davis Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: Meebs Aslam Danielle Bryant Harriet Kirsh Pozen Srini Raghavan Michael Stevenson Alicia Weigel Commissioners Absent: Mariana Krueger PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL None. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Approve the minutes of the Human Rights Commission Special Called Meeting on May 20, 2024. The minutes from the meeting of May 20, 2024, were approved on Commissioner Clemmons’ motion, Commissioner Kirsh Pozen’s second on an 8-0 vote. Commissioners Davis and Weigel were off the dais. Commissioner Krueger was absent. 1. 1 DISCUSSION ITEM Discussion of the State of Texas' Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Ban (Senate Bill 17). Discussed. 2. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS Approve a recommendation to Council to address the rise in drug overdoses in the City of Austin, promote the legalization of fentanyl testing strips, and promote harm reduction efforts. The motion to approve the recommendation to address the rise in drug overdoses in the City of Austin, promote the legalization of fentanyl testing strips, and promote harm reduction efforts was approved on Commissioner Clemmons’ motion, Vice Chair Zeidan’s second on a 10-0 vote. Commissioner Krueger was absent. Approve a recommendation to Council on public safety at Austin Pride Parade and Pride Events. The motion to approve the recommendation on public safety at Austin Pride Parade and Pride Events with the following friendly amendment was approved on Commissioner Davis’ motion, Commissioner Aslam’s second on a 10-0 vote. Commissioner Krueger was absent. The friendly amendment from Chair Duhon was to remove the fourth Whereas clause. This was accepted by the maker of the motion, Commissioner Davis. COMMITTEE UPDATES FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS 5. Update from the Joint Inclusion Committee on the Commission on Veterans Affairs joining the Joint Inclusion Committee and the City of Austin Poet Laureate Program. Commissioner Davis provided an update. Commissioners Aslam and Clemmons requested a staff briefing on the status of the homeless services audit. Chair Duhon and Commission Davis requested an item to approve and discuss the Human Rights Commission Annual Internal Review and Report. ADJOURNMENT Chair Duhon adjourned the meeting at 6:31 p.m. without objection. 3. 4. …
