Human Rights Commission applicants push equity, youth outreach and disability justice

Seven applicants spoke briefly to the Eugene City Council on April 14 seeking seats on the Human Rights Commission and described a range of lived experience and policy interests.

Britney Banna, who said she was born in Amman, Jordan and is Palestinian, described work supporting neurodivergent young adults and domestic-violence advocacy and said she would focus on youth and disability justice and culturally responsive public engagement. Jamie Bowman described years of LGBTQ advocacy in Central Oregon and said she has worked to make services safer for queer youth; Bowman said that community-building and finding common ground are central to her approach. Juniper Kristofferson, a first-year neuroscience and psychology student at the University of Oregon, cited volunteer work with warming shelters and youth advisory councils and said she would prioritize resident communication. Vanitha (Vinita) Murthy described dual applications to the Human Rights and Sustainability commissions and explained experience in city and regional planning, public administration and transportation planning, saying she would center outreach, policy and interagency partnerships. Elena Uman, a first-year political science student at the University of Oregon, said she supports the Eugene human rights code and wants to help amplify underrepresented voices.

No appointments or votes occurred at the session; the council will consider formal appointments on June 9. Candidates described a mix of professional, volunteer and lived experience they said would help the commission center dignity and access in city policy work.