Committee continues search for solution to hate
Committee help citizens to resolve differences, discrimination conflicts

by Cindy Gierhart
Assistant news editor

A committee that was formed in response to Benjamin Smith's minority shooting spree last summer continues to fight against hate and search for solutions.

Three members from each of the Champaign and Urbana Human Relations commissions were elected to the committee that met Tuesday for the first time since November.

The committee put together a resolution recognizing the community's diversity and the individual rights of all to live free of discrimination. All who signed pledged "to work together as a community to leave behind today's intolerance and injustice."

About 40 or 50 resolutions have come in signed by both Champaign and Urbana city councils, the school districts, the county board and several other community organizations, said Cope Cumpston, who serves on the Urbana Human Relations Commission.

"Since these things cross city boundaries, we have to have a joint community response," Cumpston said.

Among other things, the Human Relations Commission handles complaints by community members who felt that they have been discriminated against. A human relations officer investigates to see if there is probable cause and then conducts a full investigation.

The officer will try to help the two parties resolve the issue on their own. This is usually successful, Cumpston said. If this does not pacify the situation, then a public hearing will be held and a fine of as much as $500 can be assigned.

The city is represented by a lawyer, and the commission acts as the jury.

The committee is meant to be an ongoing resource to collect and communicate the community's anti-hate sentiments.

Any time diverse groups of people can be brought together to talk about discrimination, they are gaining some real ground, said Sgt. Scott Friedlein of the Champaign police department.

Friedlein said that Champaign experiences some hate crime, as do most cities, though he does not consider it excessive.

Urbana Police Lt. Michael Cooper of the said Urbana does not experience much hate crime.

The committee established a 10-step process that they believe will help combat hate crimes. Some steps involve publicizing the role of the Human Relations Commissions, supporting victims of hate crimes, looking at long range goals and teaching tolerance.

At the meeting the committee discussed asking community groups that deal with discrimination to join them in the Independence Day parade. July 4 will be the one year anniversary of Benjamin Smith's hate crime killing spree.