Lynn human rights board to mark one-year anniversary

LYNN – The Human Rights Commission has hit its first-year mark and will celebrate with an open house tonight in the City Hall foyer.”It was just about a year ago that we were formed,” said Chairman Robert Tucker. “We just want to let people know what we’re all about.”The open house will be held from 6 to 7:30 p.m. and will largely be informational, Tucker said.The Human Rights Commission was formed in 2012 to protect and preserve all civil and human rights of all residents. Councilor at large Hong Net was the driving force, arguing that a city of roughly 90,000 people should have such a council where residents, particularly those who feel vulnerable to authority, have a place to go.The commission tackled its first case in June when the Highlands Coalition filed a complaint against the Election Department, which moved a polling location from the Ford School to North Shore Community College nearly a decade ago.Most recently the commission has been hearing testimony in regards to a complaint that State Police are targeting the city’s immigrants. Both hearings are mid-process.According to those bylaws, anyone feeling discriminated against, harassed or bullied could bring their issues to the commission. Residents facing foreclosure or feel their rights as an employee, disabled person, or voting or immigration rights are or have been threatened, or that they have been unfairly denied housing or turned down for a loan, could turn to the commission to air their frustrations and gain a little guidance.And all of the work, including hearings and guidance, come at no cost to the taxpayer or complainant.Tucker said the open house would not include any fanfare or ceremony.”It’s nothing really formal,” Tucker added. “It’s a table and some brochures, and we’ll talk about how we’re set up and what we do.”