County Human Rights Commission To Discuss Election Concerns

SAN DIEGO COUNTY, CA — The San Diego County Human Rights Commission will meet Thursday to discuss possible actions leading up to and after the Nov. 3 election in light of heightened concerns about division in the region.

Rev. Shane Harris, one of the commissioners, made a motion at Tuesday's regular meeting of the commission to hold the special session. One member of the 31-member commission abstained, but otherwise it was a unanimous vote.

"I am very concerned about the tensions that are flaring up during this critical election season and I am glad that the rest of my colleagues on the commission understand how critical this discussion is," Harris said.

When the commission meets Thursday, there will be just 12 days until the election. It will advise the San Diego County Board of Supervisors as to what actions it should take to avoid increasing tension following an election in an election year unlike any other.

"I am even more concerned about what will happen on Nov. 3rd and going forward from there," Harris said. "This commission is supposed to advise the Board of Supervisors on these kinds of concerns and issues and we plan to meet Thursday to discuss what potential plan of action we should take to hopefully bridge the division that could steepen as election day gets closer."

On May 19, the San Diego County Board of Supervisors established the Leon L. Williams San Diego County Human Relations Commission to "promote positive human relations, respect, and the integrity of every individual regardless of gender, religion, culture, ethnicity, sexual orientation, age, or citizenship status." It was reestablished after a wave of racist events in the city of Santee.

The commission is made up of elected leaders such as San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan and Sheriff Bill Gore as well as civic leaders such as Estela De Los Rios, and Imam Taha Hassane.

— City News Service