Hate crimes legislation called priority

A call for a unified effort among ethnic communities to pass an enforceable hate crimes statute was raised Monday at a town hall meeting hosted by the Utah Office of Ethnic Affairs.

"If we don't get together on hate crimes, shame on all of us," said Ron Stallworth, chairman of the Black Advisory Council, as he held up a Ku Klux Klan letter, describing black culture as "savagery and animalism," found in a Granger High School teacher's mailbox.

Hate crimes legislation, which has repeatedly died in the state Legislature, was a key area of concern raised at the meeting at the Salt Lake City Public Library, as were issues such as education, economic development and racial profiling.

Some also expressed concerns about the state's growing Muslim and refugee communities.

Yvette Diaz, executive director of the new Department of Community and Culture, said she wants to elevate the ethnic offices beyond their traditional "token roles."

Diaz said the ethnic directors would work together to educate state agencies, legislators and the governor about the needs of their communities, and at the same time let the communities know about issues that impact them.

Some expressed skepticism about how much impact the offices could have, since they can't actually lobby for causes that impact ethnic minorities.

"My responsibility is to make sure the voice of the ethnic communities are heard," Diaz said. "I can't do it alone . . . the reality is, if you want political action, that's where you come in."

Diaz said feedback from a series of town hall meetings will be used to create a 100 day plan, which will be in place by June 30. She encouraged those at the meetings to hold the ethnic offices accountable for their success or failure at achieving the plan's goals.

Diaz said the governor wants more minorities in policymaking positions and asked for help in finding leaders to fill such posts.

Stallworth encouraged those at the meeting to give the ethnic directors a chance at achieving what he called a "radical change" in their mission.

"There was a lot of skepticism," he said following the meeting. "We need to give this an opportunity to work before we pass judgment."

Other town hall meetings are scheduled Wednesday in Ogden, March 29 next Tuesday in Orem, and a Spanish program will be held April 3 in Wendover. For more information visit dced.utah.gov/ethnic_affairs.

A March 31 meeting in Logan has been canceled cancelled, after a Spanish language program was held there last week.

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E-mail: dbulkeley@desnews.com