Pasadena Human Relations Commission to Discuss Hate Crimes, Housing Discrimination at May Meeting

The Pasadena Human Relations Commission will meet on Tuesday, May 7 at 6:30 p.m. at the Jackie Robinson Community Center.

According to the meeting agenda, the Chair will provide a land acknowledgment at the start of the meeting.

The Commission plans to discuss the topic of hate crimes and incidents in the city, with Lieutenant Carlo Montiglio from the Pasadena Police Department scheduled to provide any updates.

The Commission will also hear a presentation from Making Housing and Community Happen, a local advocacy organization. The presentation will focus on recommended research that could contribute to restorative justice for groups affected by historical racial housing covenants.

These discriminatory covenants, which were once common across the U.S., prohibited people of certain races from buying or renting homes in certain areas. These covenants existed in Pasadena in the past.Dr. Gilbert Walton from Making Housing and Community Happen will deliver the presentation.

In addition, according to the agenda, the Chair will appoint a Nominating Committee to select officers for the 2024-2025 term during the meeting. The Commission will also finalize the date, time, and location of their June annual meeting.

Other agenda items include approval of the April meeting minutes and updates to the Commission’s work plan and presentation calendar for May 2024. The meeting will also include reports and comments from the Chair, comments from Commissioners, staff comments, and discussion of upcoming meeting agenda items.