Commissioner urges non‑discrimination clause for town event permits after alleged exclusion at Hispanic Festival

A resident, Mr. Pagan, told the Siler City Board of Commissioners that his Hispanic organization was barred from participating in last year’s Hispanic Festival and asked the town to add a non‑discrimination clause to permit applications for events on public land. “They prevented us from participating because our values were not aligned,” he said, urging the board to require non‑discrimination provisions and penalties for violations.

Commissioner, District 4, who said the downtown festival area is in the district she represents, moved that the board adopt a non‑discrimination clause for all applicants to festivals held on public land. She framed the proposal as protecting free speech and inclusive participation at town events.

Other commissioners and staff cautioned that the issue is legally complex. Town staff and the board noted an important distinction raised in the meeting: some festivals (for example the Chicken Festival) are town‑sponsored while others (including the Hispanic Liaison Festival referenced in public comment) involve private organizers and, in some cases, state roads rather than town property. William, a town staff member who described the 2013 petition history and procedural options, said legal research and review by the town attorney were needed before the board could adopt a policy. The board agreed to have staff and counsel research feasible language and return with options.

The motion was not adopted on the spot; commissioners instead directed staff to draft and vet potential non‑discrimination language and report back. The board emphasized it would seek input from both parties involved in the original incident before considering penalties or permit denials.

Next steps: town staff and the attorney will research legal boundaries and prepare a proposed ordinance or permit language for future deliberation.