City Policy on Human Dignity to Be Unveiled Monday

At a ceremony Monday, the City Council will unveil “A Declaration of Policy About Human Dignity,” a document several months in the making.

“It’s important that the leadership of the city speak out against hate crimes committed against any of the members of the community,” said Councilwoman Shirley S. Dettloff, who was among those who drafted the policy.

“The community is richer because of its diversity.”

The declaration supports the rights of all people and warns that anyone who physically harms or verbally abuses others will be dealt with quickly to the full extent of the law.

The city in recent years has had a history of racial incidents.

Councilman Ralph H. Bauer, who also helped craft the policy, said community leaders must stand up against intolerance.

“Religious, political and business leaders serve as role models,” Bauer said. “And if they take a strong position on hate crimes and human dignity, then the rest of the community will follow.”

Local clergy, school district officials, service organization members and community and business leaders will be at Monday’s ceremony, which residents may attend at 7 p.m. in the council chambers at City Hall, 2000 Main St.

An enlarged, framed version of the policy, signed by all seven council members, will be mounted in City Hall as a reminder of the importance the city places “on human dignity and the call against hate and hate-related crimes,” said Richard Barnard, deputy city administrator.

Bauer said the policy also emphasizes that events in the past, such as the Holocaust, “remind us of how terrible human beings can treat each other.”

Bauer said his hope is that the declaration “picks at people’s consciences” and that business owners will post copies of it.

Such action, he said, may encourage victims to speak out. “Those folks who have been abused need to know they have allies,” he said.

Information: (714) 536-5514.