Committee Report CR-2

The Civic Unity Committee held a public meeting on January 5, 2011 beginning at 6 PM in the Ackermann Room, Cambridge City Hall. The purpose of the meeting was to hold a discussion between the Civic Unity Committee and the Civic Unity Advisory Committee.

Present at the meeting were Councillor E. Denise Simmons, Chair of the Civic Unity Committee, Councillor Henrietta Davis, and Councillor Leland Cheung, Estelle Disch, 528 Franklin Street, Jaynee Victoria Ward, 30 Parker Street, William Doncaster, Lesley University, Laura Booth, 303 Columbia Street, and Elaine DeRosa, Executive Director, CEOC.

Councillor Simmons convened the meeting and explained the purpose. She submitted a document entitled "The Civic Unity Committee," (Attachment A), and provided a brief history of the Civic Unity Committee. In May 1944, as a result of racial incidents in Cambridge which caused concern to many people, the city manager established a committee to promote better human relations. The committee was established as part of the city manager's own department, and included persons from all parts of the community. It consisted of approximately 45 citizens appointed by the city manager to serve a rotating term of three years. The staff consisted of the Executive Director and a secretary.

Councillor Simmons noted that the Civic Unity Committee's relationship to the community was an advisory relationship. Subcommittees operated in the fields of education, employment, housing, and investigation of incidents.  The committee received reports from the subcommittees and provided advice to the city manager on these topics from the perspective of many different parts of the Cambridge community.  Historically, the Civic Unity Committee often took a document or report and looked at it from all perspectives. The Civic Unity Committee as a department of the city government remained in effect until 1992, when it fell victim to the need for budget cuts to the city budget.  Betty Lopes was the first executive secretary, and E. Denise Simmons was the last.

Councillor Simmons explained that she would like the Civic Unity Advisory Committee to play a similar role with respect to the City Council Civic Unity Committee of the Council and the community as a whole. She expressed her interest in having the advisory committee take a look at an issue or report related to the civic unity of the community and report on it to the Civic Unity Committee.

Councillor Simmons requested the opinion of those present as to whether the advisory committee should review the report of the Cambridge Review Committee about the Sergeant Crowley/Professor Gates incident, "Missed Opportunities, Shared Responsibilities" from the perspective of a citizens' commission.

Vice Mayor Davis stated that she would not like to see the advisory committee just go over the same ground that has already been covered in other forums, such as the City Council Special Meeting on the report. She suggested that perhaps the advisory committee could monitor what progress has been made on implementing the recommendations in the report, in addition to looking at whether these recommendations covered the entire subject.

Ms. Disch asked whether the committee should be holding the recommended citizen/police forums. Vice Mayor Davis responded that she is concerned that this would involve going back over the same ground, which is still a raw and emotional topic for most people, and would not be likely to have a constructive outcome. She would prefer to look at the report, what it recommends and what has been done. She would also like to see the membership of the advisory committee expanded.

Ms. Ward stated that she is wondering whether the advisory committee could look at the state of Cambridge today. She assumes that the report speak specifically to the Gates-Crowley incident but not necessarily to the schools, the neighborhoods and the overall state of Cambridge.

Councillor Simmons said that Eva Blithe, director of the Cambridge YWCA, will be doing a program called "Stand Against Racism". The Cambridge School Department has done a great deal of work and study on school achievement issues.  She noted that the City cannot do everything and sometimes is not the best entity to lead a particular activity or study.

Ms. Ward asked whether the School Department or the Department of Human Services has demographic data. She added that her sense is that the population of Cambridge has changed, for example, that there are fewer African Americans and more black immigrants. Vice Mayor Davis stated that the Community Development Department has a great deal of demographic data and that new census data will be available from that department soon. The City Clerk added that the Department of Human Services also maintains demographic data relative to their human services programs. Vice Mayor Davis suggested that the committee invite Cliff Cook from CDD and the demographic specialist from DHSP to a committee meeting to present information on Cambridge demographics.

Mr. Doncaster said that with respect to Councillor Simmons's suggestion, he feels that he is not equipped to comment on the police policies and procedures. He likes Vice Mayor Davis's idea to look at the recommendations in the report from the point of view of whether there has been follow up, and if not, why not.

Noting that there appeared to be agreement on looking at the report, Councillor Simmons asked those present to read the report and come prepared to discuss it. If anyone needs a copy of the report, they can get it from the City Clerk's Office.  Vice Mayor Davis requested that the Police Commissioner be invited to attend the meeting to report on what has been done.

Councillor Simmons thanked all those present for their attendance and participation. On motion of Vice Mayor Davis the meeting was adjourned at 7:10 PM.