The Human Rights Council

of Washington County

Mission

The Human Rights Council of Washington County’s mission is to promote respect and dignity of all by supporting a community where every person is valued, and equity and diversity are embraced.

Goals

• To promote equal rights as a central part of the public and private sectors.

• To provide valuable feedback to local leaders on issues of equity and diversity.

• To respect and reflect the cultural diversity of our community.

• To foster mutual understanding amongst all of our community’s residents.

• To promote inclusiveness, justice and equity.

Meetings are held the 3rd Wednesday
of every month 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. Call for location.

2009-2010 Human Rights Council
of Washington County Members

Alfonso Lopez-Vasquez (Chair), Pacific University
Emily Gottfried (Vice-Chair), Oregon Area Jewish Committee
Salma Ahmad, Islamic Society of Greater Portland
Lt. John Black, Wa. Co. Sheriff’s Office (on leave)
Joelle Davis, City of Tualatin Councilor
Toni Rock Garreton, Portland Community College
Sheila Griffie (Past Chair), (Ret. Uniting to Understand Racism)
Anil Naik, Pacific University Graduate Student
Chief Ron Louie, Retired
Carlos Perez, Ret. Hillsboro School District
Beverly Sali, Community Member
Sabino Sardineta, Centro Cultural
Lauri Stewart, Community Member
Cmdr. Allen Zaugg, Hillsboro Police Department

Public Testimony

The HRC hears public testimony and comments on human rights issues happening in Washington County. Public testimony is taken every other month. Presenters must submit a public comment/testimony record form for documentation purposes and must speak with the Chair of the Council. Please call or email to receive a mailed or electronic copy.

The Human Rights Council hears testimony on liberty and assembly; religious persecution and discrimination; due process, wrongful imprisonment and torture; racial, gender or sexual bias, threats and violence; and equal rights.

History of the HRC

Over the past decade, Washington County has seen unprecedented growth and change – both in population and diversity. The Human Rights Council is the result of two years’ work by the Vision Action Network and its community partners to respond to the needs of our growing community. In response to community requests, VAN convened a planning team on September 2004, to explore the creation of a new county-wide diversity/human rights group. The Planning Team was asked to make recommendations about the purpose, scope, community participation and representation, and administrative details of a potential new diversity/human rights group.

The Planning Team issued its recommendations in January 2005. In March, the VAN Board of Directors reviewed the Planning Team’s recommendations and asked consultant Bill Monahan to carry the project forward. Mr. Monahan conducted a community input process about the need for a county-wide human rights group and presented his recommendations to the VAN Board of Directors meeting October 2005.

The VAN Board appointed an initial Human Rights Council that would be tasked with:

• Clearly defining the group’s role

• Finding a suitable home for the future effort

The first meeting was held on October 2006 and was hosted by Providence St. Vincent. The Council, now housed temporarily at the Vision Action Network, has become a new resource for local leaders and community members to encourage diversity and equality in Washington County.

To contact council members or donate to the Human Rights Council of Washington County, call Vision Action Network offices at 503-846-5792, or email This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

http://www.humanrightswashco.org/

Local Links

In 1993, the City of Beaverton launched the Beaverton Human Rights Advisory Commission (BHRAC) to achieve the goal of embracing and celebrating diversity, eliminating bigotry, and enhancing a sense of community. In November 2004 the commission submitted, and the City Council passed an additional Civil Rights Ordinance.

West County Council for Human Dignity (WCCHD) currently does not have their own website but is an all-volunteer grassroots network in the Forest Grove – Cornelius area. It is a member group of the Rural Organizing Project.

The WCCHD originally formed in response to an anti-gay ballot measure that the Oregon Citizen’s Alliance forwarded in Cornelius. It works on issues of civil rights, social justice and peace.