Guilford Adopts Human Rights Board To Take Stand Against “Hate”

GUILFORD, CT - At it’s most recent meeting, the Board of Selectmen voted unanimously to form a Human Rights Commission at the urging of a group of residents who said they had been the targets of hate incidents in town.

The commission’s stated purpose is community education and to recommend programs, projects or activities to the selectmen concerning any incidents that come to its attention.

The commission will direct complaints involving discrimination to appropriate agencies, including the police department and Board of Selectmen.

The selectmen’s action came after a public hearing at which residents who approached town officials as a group to ask for help, explained their reasoning.

Clarice Yasuhara of said she is one of the co-chairs that approached the board with this proposal. She thanked the selectmen because she feels this is very important.

She is an immigrant and is married to an immigrant and they settled in Guilford. When the racist graffiti happened she was shocked and that started her involvement in this. It was targeted against Asians and her husband is of Asian descent as well as her child. It is something that sticks with them. She is glad to see this move to promote community as well as a better understanding and appreciation of other cultures.

Kathryn Westgard of said this proposal shows what the Guilford community is about. Over the past year she was overwhelmed by the unity expressed in the community. This Human Rights Commission is a huge step forward on working together to make sure everyone feels embraced and included.

Dr. Alexander Hoffman of said that part of American values is to accept others and the consistency to live up to those values takes work. He is glad the town is making these efforts to live up to the values of its residents.

Frank Walsh of said he is one of many people that had a welcome neighbor sign on his lawn that was vandalized.

Walsh added that he thinks statistics are skewed because instead of these types of things being labeled as a hate crime they are referred to as simple vandalism. He added that this is not a reflection of the values of Guilford, but there is an element out there that thinks they can get away with it. He is in support of the commission and it shows what Guilford stands for.

Ginnie King of said she supports what has been said. In addition to it being a statement for the town it will also make everyone feel safe. If people feel insulted or hurt they will have a place they can talk in a safe environment. She encouraged the board to support this and create the commission.

Following the public hearing, Selectman Charles Havrda said he is normally he is not enthusiastic about adding to the level of government, but this is the type of situation that they have to formalize what Guilford stands for. There is a difference between vandalism and hate and it is unfortunate, but they are at the point where they have to spell it out for people.

Selectwoman Susan Renner, addec it would be great if the responsibility for this was done at the level of the family dinner table, but that is not what is happening so it is important to show what Guilford stands for.