Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Human Rights Appointments topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Community leaders criticize Human Rights Commission appointments, cite conflict concerns
Summary
Speakers at the council meeting criticized recent appointments to the city Human Rights Commission and accused the administration of sidelining long‑serving advocacy members. Margo Barnett and others urged the council to reappoint the commission chair and to avoid perceived conflicts of interest.
Several residents used the council’s public comment period to criticize recent appointments to Worcester’s Human Rights Commission and to question whether appointees with close ties to the police undercut independent oversight.
Margo Barnett, speaking from the public, said she was “dismayed” that the council did not reappoint Ellen Shemitz as Human Rights Commission chair and warned that appointing persons with close ties to the police could undermine the commission’s independence. "Refusing to reappoint her and instead appointing someone who is closely connected to the police department speaks loud and clear," Barnett said.
Other callers echoed those concerns and praised Councilor Hajia for responding to constituents at the scene of last week’s incident on Eureka Street. Anne Buro, who also called in, urged the council to safeguard immigrant families and said the country is watching how Worcester responds.
Why it matters: the Human Rights Commission is one of the city’s bodies that can investigate and recommend actions on civil‑rights complaints. Several callers told the council that the commission’s oversight role is especially important in light of recent public concerns about police conduct.
What the council did: the City Council received and filed communications recommending appointments to the Human Rights Commission and to other boards and commissions; roll calls show councilors voted to transmit the appointments. Speakers asked for resumes to be provided to the council more consistently and for more transparency in the appointments process.
Background: public speakers linked the appointments to broader concerns about policing and accountability raised at the meeting. Margo Barnett and others asked the council and the city manager to ensure the Human Rights Commission can operate independently and that appointments reflect community oversight rather than departmental alignment.
Ending: The council filed the recommendations and transmitted the appointments to the appropriate steps for confirmation. Community members said they will continue to press the council for reappointments and for transparent selection materials in future appointment cycles.
