Arlington HRC Resolution Rescinding Endorsement of ADL

WHEREAS the Town of Arlington has witnessed frequent and disturbing hate incidents; and

WHEREAS numerous residents of Arlington have worked together over the past years to form an umbrella organization dedicated to combating hatred, celebrating diversity, and making our town a welcoming community; and

WHEREAS the Arlington Human Rights Commission is charged with implementing its goals under Title II, Article 9, Section 3, Paragraph A.1. of the Bylaws of the Town of Arlington, “Improving the life of the Town by enlisting community-based groups in educational programs and campaigns to increase mutual respect, harmonious intergroup relations and the peaceful enjoyment of life in our community”; and

WHEREAS the Human Rights Commission held an inaugural meeting of the Campaign for Understanding on June 28, 2006, drawing the participation of religious organizations, schools, and groups dedicated to promoting diversity; and

WHEREAS more recent efforts to form an umbrella group to network between concerned organizations and with other communities, and to gain public recognition of our town's diversity initiatives, have been pursued under the auspices of the Anti-Defamation League's No Place for Hate® program; and

WHEREAS the Arlington Human Rights Commission did endorse the local No Place for Hate® effort and provided representatives to its steering committee; and

WHEREAS Arlington is home to many residents of Armenian descent and serves as the headquarters location of the Armenian Cultural Foundation; and

WHEREAS the national Anti-Defamation League has failed to recognize unambiguously the Armenian Genocide and has opposed efforts in Congress to do so; and

WHEREAS the Town of Arlington, on August 20, 2007, suspended its process of certification under the Anti-Defamation League's No Place for Hate® program in protest of said denial of the Armenian Genocide; and

WHEREAS several other area communities -- including Watertown, Belmont, and Newton -- have severed their ties with the No Place for Hate® program; and

WHEREAS the Arlington Human Rights Commission maintains an active means of networking with other communities through its membership in the Massachusetts Association of Human Rights and Relations Commissions; and

WHEREAS alternate public recognition campaigns, such as the Not In Our Town Campaign promoted by the Public Broadcasting System, are available to interested communities,

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the Arlington Human Rights Commission that the Commission does commend all local residents who have worked together to make Arlington a more welcoming community; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the full recognition and honest discussion of past atrocities -¬such as the Armenian Genocide and the Holocaust -- are requisite to understanding and responding to contemporary genocidal crimes against humanity – such as the atrocities in Darfur -- and that legislative measures such as H. Res. 106 constitute an important part of this process; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Arlington Human Rights Commission does join in protest of any form of genocide denial and commits to facilitating educational activities related to genocide; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Arlington Human Rights Commission does support the decision to suspend Arlington's involvement in the No Place for Hate® program; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Arlington Human Rights Commission does encourage the local No Place for Hate® steering committee and advisory council to reconstitute themselves; to avail themselves of statewide networking opportunities through the Massachusetts Association of Human Rights and Relations Commissions; and to explore alternate recognition programs; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Arlington Human Rights Commission does hereby rescind its endorsement of the Town's formal relationship with the Anti-Defamation League; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Arlington Human Rights Commission does reserve the right to review this decision should the Anti-Defamation League reconsider its position on the Armenian Genocide and H. Res. 106; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Arlington Human Rights Commission stands ready to support actively the establishment of alternative programs and activities that are in concert with the goals of the No Place for Hate® program; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this resolution shall be transmitted to the Arlington No Place for Hate® steering committee, the Arlington Board of Selectmen, the ADL New England Regional Board, and the ADL National Commission.

Adopted this 19th day of September, 2007.

JOSEPH A. CURRO, JR.,
Chair Arlington Human Rights Commission