2/24/2025 Draft Minutes — original pdf

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HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING MINUTES Monday, February 24, 2025 The Human Rights Commission convened in a regular meeting on Monday, February 24, 2025, at 301 W. 2nd St., Boards & Commissions Room, in Austin, Texas. Chair Duhon called the Human Rights Commission meeting to order at 6:01 p.m. Commissioners in Attendance: Kolby Duhon (Chair) Gabriella Zeidan (Vice Chair) Danielle Bryant Jeffrey Clemmons Morgan Davis Harriett Kirsh Pozen Tannya Oliva Martinez Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: Muneeb “Meebs” Aslam Mariana Krueger Srini Raghavan Alicia Weigel PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL None APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Human Rights Commission regular meeting on January 27, 2025. The minutes were without objection on Chair Duhon’s motion on a 7-0 vote. Commissioners Bryant, Krueger, Oliva Martinez, and Weigel were off the dais. DISCUSSION ITEMS 2. Presentation regarding American Gateways’ work supporting the immigrant community in Austin. Presentation by Rebecca Lightsey, Co-Executive Director, American Gateways. 1 The presentation was made by Rebecca Lightsey, Co-Executive Director, American Gateways. 3. 4. 5. Presentation regarding understanding and recognizing modern antisemitism. Presentation by Abi Mallick, Jewish Voice for Peace. The presentation was made by Abi Mallick, Jewish Voice for Peace. Discussion on scheduling a potential presentation by Austin Police Department Chief Lisa Davis or other Austin Police Department staff. Discussion was held. Discussion on the 2025 Texas Legislative Session, with an overview of bills related to immigration and bail. Discussion was held. Update provided by Commissioner Clemmons. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 6. 7. Approve the formation of a working group to provide budget recommendations for the FY26 budget cycle. The motion to form a working group to provide budget recommendations for the FY26 budget cycle was approved on Commissioner Krueger’s motion, Commissioner Kirsh Pozen’s second on a 11-0 vote. Members will include Chair Duhon, and Commissioners Bryant, Clemmons, Oliva Martinez, and Zeidan. Approve a recommendation to protect immigrant communities and ensure access to accurate, accessible information and education in Austin schools and prioritize antidiscrimination efforts related to immigration status city wide. The recommendation was amended to insert “on the City of Austin website” after “city libraries” in paragraph 1 of the NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED section on Vice Chair Zeidan’s motion, Commissioner Clemmons’ second on an 11-0 vote. The recommendation was amended to strike paragraph 3 of the NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED section on Commissioner Bryant’s motion, Commissioner Clemmons’ second, on an 11-0 vote. The recommendation was amended to strike “workersdefense.org” and paragraphs 5, 6, and 9 from the NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED section on Commissioner Bryant’s motion, Commissioner Clemmon’s second on an 11-0 vote. The recommendation was amended to insert “and places of worship” after “community- based organizations” in paragraph 7 of the NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED 2 section on Commissioner Oliva Martinez’ motion, Commissioner Kirsh Pozen’s second on an 8-0 vote. Commissioners Aslam, Raghavan, and Weigel were off the dais. The recommendation was amended to strike the second comma after “assistance” in the second WHEREAS on Commissioner Clemmons’ motion, Commissioner Davis’ second on a 9-0 vote. Commissioners Raghavan and Weigel off the dais. The recommendation was amended to add “such as Red Cards,” after “Know Your Rights materials,” in the first paragraph of the NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED section on Chair Duhon’s motion, Vice Chair Zeidan’s second, on a 10-0 vote. Commissioner Raghavan was off the dais. The recommendation was approved as amended on Commissioner Clemmons’ motion, Commissioner Bryant’s second on an 11-0 vote. WORKING GROUP/COMMITTEE UPDATES 8. 9. Update from the Intragroup Relations Working Group regarding immigration and discrimination issues discussed at the February 12th working group meeting. Update by Commissioner Clemmons. Update from the Educational Initiatives Working Group regarding how they can support undocumented community members in schools. Update by Commissioner Bryant. Chair Duhon adjourned the meeting at 8:12 p.m. without objection. The minutes were approved at the DATE meeting on BOARD MEMBER’s motion, BOARD MEMBER second on a (vote count) vote. 3