City Civil Rights Forum

At the Speak Out community forum to be held on October 24, 2011, the Coalition for a Safe Berkeley will introduce new legislation proposed to protect civil and human rights for Berkeley citizens and address issues of racial profiling that are still present. In light of a recent rise in attention on undocumented immigrants across the country which has resulted in increasingly strict laws in various states, the coalition is working to preserve the freedom and equality of all people in the city of Berkeley regardless of legal citizenship. The forum, which will take place at the Berkeley Fellowship of Unitarian Universalists building, will feature stories from a number of people on their personal experiences with civil rights abuse. The lead attorney of the Asian Law Caucus, the Director of the national Bill of Rights Defense Committee, and an organizer from the Just Cause Immigrant Rights group will also be key speakers providing information on current U.S. human and civil rights issues. In addition to these organizations, the Coalition for a Safe Berkeley is comprised of multiple Bay Area organizations such as the American Civil Liberties Union North East Bay chapter, the Black Alliance for Just Immigration, the National Network on Immigrant and Refugee Rights, and others. The forum is open to high school students in particular and they are encouraged to come and share their stories. The coalition welcomes conducting interviews with any students who would prefer to remain anonymous. Students who are interested should contact Coalition member Diana Bohn at CRtownhall@gmail.com.