Human Rights Commission plans special collaboration meeting on sanctuary, invites local groups

The Humboldt County Human Rights Commission on Dec. 4 agreed to convene a special collaborative meeting in February to explore coordinated community responses on sanctuary-related issues and other human-rights concerns.

Chair said the commission will invite local organizations and institutions — including College of the Redwoods, Cal Poly Humboldt and the Humboldt Equity Consortium — to present on collaboration possibilities. "We have an open invitation to doctor Flemmer from College of the Redwoods, to make a presentation to us on collaboration possibilities," the Chair said during the meeting.

Commissioners discussed the logistics of a larger session, including interpreter services and the possibility of serving food to encourage in-person turnout. Several members urged the commission to use the meeting to bridge ongoing "turf" issues among nonprofits and increase coordinated responses to emerging incidents, including potential rapid responses to immigration-enforcement activities in the region.

The commission's rapid response committee said it will continue brief, targeted letters and outreach when hot issues arise, and commissioners discussed inviting a sheriff's representative and one or more county supervisors to participate in the event. The Chair said the session might be a special meeting or a retooled regular meeting and that the commission will send invitations and set an agenda tailored to collaboration.

If confirmed, the meeting is expected in February; commissioners said they will set the date and circulate invitations in the coming weeks.