City of Los Angeles Human Relations Commission
(see below for an explanation of Human Relations)

Current Agenda

Hate Crimes - Hate Incidents

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HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION

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MISSION STATEMENT

The Commission is committed to reducing community conflict and tension and to building strong inter-group relations across the lines of race, religion, sexual orientation, ethnicity, language, and disability. As an expression of its commitment to building models of human relations and race relations the Commission creates programs that build tolerance, respect, and bring leadership skills and conflict resolution training to community residents all across Los Angeles.

HISTORY

The Los Angeles City Human Relations Commission was established during the aftermath of the Watts Riots in 1965. Created as a result of recommendations by the McCone Commission which had studied the causes of the 1965 riots, the Human Relations Commission was formed to build stronger human relations among residents of a city that was on its way to becoming the most diverse area of the nation.

The Commission assures that every person has the opportunity for full and equal participation in the affairs of City government and promotes the general welfare and safety of all residents in the community.

The functions include advising the Mayor and City Council about the state of community and intergroup relations, investigating problems and conditions which adversely affect the ability of people to live and work together, creating programs that build respect, tolerance, and skills in non-violence campaigns, and serving as a resource center for City departments, the media and community based organizations in need of assistance to address human relations problems.

The first Thursday of the month has been set aside as the regular meeting day for monthly Human Relations Commission meetings. Board members will make an attempt to schedule some of their Board meetings out in the community, perhaps at night, so as to give a better opportunity for Angelenos to attend (please see the LACP Calendar).

A City as diverse as Los Angeles needs a vibrant Human Relations Commission operating all the time. The current Human Relations Department, which serves the Commission, is led by Executive Director Rabbi Allen Freehling.

The fifteen employees of the Department include a Senior Project Coordinator, Arturo Piña, who supervises the work of six Project Coordinators (see list below). Project Coordinators are responsible for representing the Commission in geographic areas roughly equivalent to two City Council Districts.

As part of a new effort to reinvigorate its mission and mandate, the Commission is currently redefining itself and expanding its impact by establishing sub-commitees to address specific issues.

Human Relations Commission

The City is currently in the process of updating its Human Relations Commission website.