York County No Hate In Our State : simplebooklet.com

Table of ContentsGovernor Statement ..................................................... 1Chairman’s Statement ................................................. 2Executive Director’s Statement .................................. 3Commissioners .......................................................... 4-5No Hate in Our State.................................................6-12Moving Forward ......................................................... 13What Can You Do ........................................................ 13

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2www.phrc.pa.govtwitter.com/PA_HumRelCommI commend our Executive Director, Chad Dion Lassiter, and PHRC’s professional sta for taking us to a place where we can aect change in our communities, and we are beginning to see that change. By compiling and releasing this report along with the next step suggestions, PHRC is listening, reporting and taking action. We recognize the importance of local communities taking ownership and responsibility for moving the healing and rebuilding eorts forward, and PHRC will continue to encourage and support those eorts. PHRC will also continue to engage those who live and workin Pennsylvania to promote No Hate in Our State Town Halls. We will stand with those who are actively addressing bias and hate in their communities. As PHRC Chairperson, I’m proud of the work that the Commission has done in York, and I know that my fellow Commissioners and I look forward to continuing these conversations throughout the State.Chairman’s StatementM. Joel Bolstein, EsqPHRC Commission Chairman

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3www.phrc.pa.govtwitter.com/PA_HumRelCommExecutive Director’sStatementChad Dion Lassiter, MSWExecutive DirectorMy education, life and professional experience dictates that having a conversation to break down walls is the rst step in healing wounds that breed hate and feed division. Conversation alone or from one perspective moves us no closer to healing. Ideally, we need to communicate, educate and act. We each have an opinion based on our life experience, but without learning and understanding a dierent life experience we move backwards to a broken society. As Executive Director of PHRC I bring all myexpertise and life experiences to this place in time.I recognize that this work impacts society and I amcommitted to ensuring that the impact PHRC has will be positive. This report is the rst ofmany to come. When we began this journey, we did not know what was to come. The Yorkseries of “No Hate in our State” was interesting and at times controversial but with datacollected, new partnerships and a base for moving forward we are prepared to release theseresults with a suggestion of next steps. We hand this to the community to move it forward. We are not leaving York, but we know that healing must begin and be driven by the community that is traumatized.

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Commissioners“I am very grateful to Governor Wolf for appointing me Chairperson and allowing me to continue in a leadership role alongside my fellow Commissioners, our wonderful new Executive Director, Chad Dion Lassiter, and our very talented and extremely dedicated professional sta.”Chairman M. Joel Bolstein“ When rights of human beings are compromised, they loose the opportunity to a productive life.”“The road to justice should be free of impediments.”“Everyone deserves to live in a society free of discrimination.”Commissioner Radheshyam M. Agrawal, M.D.Commissioner George B. DawsonCommissioner Kathleen Dormer“My hope for PHRC is that it will continue to be the government agency that promotes civil rights, eradicates discrimination for all, and upholds Equal Educational Opportunity for all children so that we can create a better future for all.”Vice-Chair & Commissioner Raquel O. Yiengst“I am proud to be part of a group of individuals whose singular focus is to ensure that the people of our Commonwealth are being treated fairly and with respect. This area of focus is now more important than ever.” Secretary & Commissioner Mayur Patel, Esq.4www.phrc.pa.govtwitter.com/PA_HumRelComm

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5www.phrc.pa.govtwitter.com/PA_HumRelCommCommissioners “Even though our task is daunting we can meet it” “The role PHRC plays is essential to the freedom to live, work, play, and visit Pennsylvania without fear of discrimination.”“There is no justice when some—because of race, sex, religion, color, national origin, or disability, among others—are denied a safe place to live, learn, work, and socialize. I am proud to serve on a Commission that strives to build a Commonwealth full of communities free of hate and discrimination.”Commissioner Gerald S. Robinson, Esq.Commissioner Adrian ShankerCommissioner Aleena Y. Sorathia, Esq.“From the White House to our house, human relations is an important aspect of the quality of our life. Fairness, in housing, employment and racial and religious tolerance is an essential responsibility of our organization.”Commissioner Curtis Jones“Every day presents new opportunities!”Commissioner Michael Hardiman

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www.phrc.pa.govtwitter.com/PA_HumRelComm6“If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other.” - Mother eresaIn recent years, there has been a troubling rise in hate crimes across the nation. According to FBI statistics, the number of hate crimes increasedby 17% crimes between 2016 and 2018, rising for the third consecutive year as heated racial rhetoric and actions have come to dominate the news. Of the 7,100 hate crimes reported last year, nearly three out of ve were motivated by race and ethnicity, while religion and sexual orientation were the other two primary motivators.Beyond these more blatant acts of racism, discrimination and bias continue to plagueour nation. A recent NBC poll found that a vast majority of Americans believe racism remains a major problem in American society. Of those surveyed, almost half of all African-Americanssaid they have experienced workplace discrimination based on their race and fourin 10 said they have been treated unfairly in a store or restaurant because of their race in the last month.With the launch of a new social justice initiative called No Hate in Our State, PHRC is workingwith communities throughout the Commonwealth to take a stand against bias, discrimination and hate in Pennsylvania. The initiative, which aimsto bridge divides and foster understanding, provides an open forum where residents,activists and others can come together to voice their concerns, learn about their rights, and begin a process of healing.The social justice initiative was conceived by PHRC Executive Director Chad Dion Lassiter and coordinated by PHRC’s Education and Community Outreach Division, which facilitates the Interagency Task Force on Civil Tension and the local advisory councils to the PHRC. BackgroundNo Hate in Our State was developed in response to a series of incidents involving racial harassment and violence that occurred in York County. These incidents included: • A golf course in Dover Township asking ve black women to leave for alleged “slow play.” When the women refused to leave, a former county commissioner called 911 twice to have them removed. • KKK iers placed on the cars of moviegoers in West Manchester Township attending a showing of BlacKkKlansman, a Spike Lee movie based on the true story of a black detective inltrating the KKK. That same month, a black couple discovered a KKK ier in their driveway calling for racial segregation. Several other residents in Dover, West Manchester and Red Lion received similar iers.No Hate in Our StateChad and PHRC Sta: Renee Martin, Tameka Hatcher and Jinada Rochelle

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• To encourage participants to connect and build working relationships with like minded individuals. • To provide participants an opportunity to talk about what they see occurring in their community; and • To encourage participants to connect and build working relationships with like minded individuals.www.phrc.pa.govtwitter.com/PA_HumRelComm7 • A local principal wearing blackface at a school event. • And most horrifying of all, the murder of Chad Merrill, a young white man, who was shot and killed outside of the Red Rose Restaurant and Lounge in Hellam Township after he defended a black friend against racial slurs. His death represented the rst homicide in Hellam Township in 17 years.Recognizing the need to address these incidents and provide residents an opportunity to express their pain, begin a process of healing and build coalitions to ght racism, PHRC planned a series of town hall meetings throughout the county. Lassiter’s vision for the town halls was toprovide a safe space where advisory councils, local human relations commissions, stakeholders, community groups and residents could come together to speak back to forms of oppression and marginalization they were experiencing. The events also served to shed light on the prevalence of racism and discrimination in the area for those who may have been unaware of it. Each of the three town halls had specic goals.Town hall 1: The Crispus Attucks CenterThe purpose of the rst town hall was to threefold: • To address the recent incidents of racial discrimination and hate; • To provide participants an opportunity to talk about what they see occurring in their community; and NO HATE IN OUR STATE York County, PA A Social Justice Town Hall ▪ The First in a Series of Three York City ▪ West Manchester ▪ Hellam Township Wednesday, September 26, 2018 The Crispus Attucks Center 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. AGENDA Welcome/Introduction of Advisory Council and Community Advocates Tameka M. Hatcher, Educational Outreach/Police Training Program Coordinator PHRC Mission & Vision Statement Chad Dion Lassiter, MSW – PHRC Executive Director Greetings from the City of York Mayor Michael Helfrich Community Advocates Mabusha Cooper President, York County Advisory Council to PHRC Sandra Thompson President, NAACP York Chapter Dr. Larry T. Walthour II Senior Pastor, Shiloh Baptist Church of York Rev. Yvette B. Davis Director of Outreach and Organizational Development, POWER Louis Rivera Latinos Unidos York PUBLIC COMMENT/DISCUSSION Closing Remarks Chad Dion Lassiter, MSW – PHRC Executive Director A Very Special THANK YOU to The Crispus Attucks Center and The York County Advisory Council to the PHRC

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• Dr. Larry T. Walthour II, Senior Pastor, Shiloh Baptist Church of York • Rev. Yvette B. Davis, Director of Outreach and Organizational Development, POWER • Louis Rivera, Latinos Unidos YorkWhile the town hall was intended to provide a forum for sharing a diversity of perspectives, several in attendance were unnerved when a self-proclaimed member of the KKK rose to speak. When he began reading his white supremacist manifesto, some initially stood to oppose his rhetoric, but Lassiter gave him the oor and the crowd listened respectfully for the ve minuteshe spoke.“We showed him there’s a place for him in the beloved community,” said Lassiter. “There is such a thing as restorative justice. Something there has gone astray, but we need to see his humanity--fragile as it is--and bring him back to himself and back to the community.”www.phrc.pa.govtwitter.com/PA_HumRelComm8The event, which featured remarks from York Mayor Michael Helfrich, included a panel of community advocates representing a variety of social justice organizations. • Mabusha Cooper, President, York County Advisory Council to PHRC • Sandra Thompson, President, NAACP York ChapterYork Mayor Michael HelfrichLouis RiveraChad Dion Lassiter

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9For John Eyster, a resident of York County, it was an eye-opening experience. “When he got up to speak, people were dumbfounded. It was embarrassing for me as a white male,” he said. “But I came to see the value in it. People need to know that guy is not alone. The fact is, there are many others out there who feel exactly like him. Individuals of color know this because they are subjected to racism all the time. But until we are confronted by it face to face, people like me with white privilege can be oblivious to how pervasive these attitudes are.”The thought-provoking nature of the event motivated Eyster to join the local PHRC and inspired both he and his wife to join the NAACP. “We are working to change people one at a time,” he says. “My son and daughter in law recently adopted two African American boys. Now, the eects of racism are close to home for me. I wish it didn’t take that to thrust me into reality, but now that I’m here, I’m not turning back. I’mgoing to keep working to make it better.”www.phrc.pa.govtwitter.com/PA_HumRelCommMan claiming to represent the KuKluxKlanJohn Eyster NO HATE IN OUR STATE York County, PA A Social Justice Town Hall ▪ The Second in a Series of Three York City ▪ West Manchester ▪ Hellam Township Thursday, December 20, 2018 West Manchester Township Building 380 E. Berlin Road York, PA 17401 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. AGENDA Welcome/PHRC Mission & Vision Statement Chad Dion Lassiter, MSW – PHRC Executive Director Introduction of Advisory Council and Community Advocates Tameka M. Hatcher, Educational Outreach/Police Training Program Coordinator Chief John Snyder West Manchester Police Department Hank Butler Pennsylvania Jewish Coalition Carl Summerson PHRC Hearing Examiner John Eyster York County Advisory Council to PHRC Norman Bristol Colon Latinos Unidos York Fred Walker Activist, Shiloh Baptist Church of York PUBLIC COMMENT/DISCUSSION Closing Remarks Chad Dion Lassiter, MSW – PHRC Executive Director A Very Special THANK YOU to Mr. Kelly Kelch, Township Manager, Chief Snyder and the West Manchester Twp. Administration for Opening Their Doors.

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www.phrc.pa.govtwitter.com/PA_HumRelComm10Town Hall 2: West Manchester TownshipA standing-room only crowd of over 150 people attended the second town hall, which aimed to educate participants about their rights and how to report racial discrimination and bias. During a panel discussion, members of the law enforcement community discussed how they are ghting racism in the county. • Chief John Snyder, West Manchester Police Department • Hank Butler, Pennsylvania Jewish Coalition • Carl Summerson, PHRC Hearing Examiner • John Eyster, York County Advisory Council to PHRC • Norman Bristol Colon, Latinos Unidos York • Fred Walker, Activist, Shiloh Baptist Church of YorkThe reach of racism in the community was underscored by Police Chief John Snyder, who related that he received phone calls and threats after he condemned the KKK iers that were placed on moviegoers’ cars and in the driveways of residents. As Tameka Hatcher, PHRC educational outreach and police training coordinator noted, “If you’re not afraid to threaten the chief of police, what might you do to someone you see as less than you?”Standing room only crowd at Town Hall MeetingCarl Summerson, PHRC Hearing Examiner

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11www.phrc.pa.govtwitter.com/PA_HumRelCommFor Snyder the profound impact of racism in his community hit home when a when a black mother told him she was more worried about her son being pulled over by the police in communities such as West Manchester than she was about his safety in York City, where the crime rate is several times higher. “I recognized this is a huge problem, he said. “As a Police department, we need to grow. It’s important for us to recognize our shortcomings.” To address these shortcomings, Snyder and other York County police chiefs have been working with the Black Ministers’ Association to nd solutions to unrest in the community. That work is still in the early stages and includes counsel from local pastors who teach police how to build trust through truthfulness and how to become comfortable by being uncomfortable.Another panelist, Hank Butler, Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Jewish Coalition stressed that along with racial discrimination, overt acts of anti-Semitism are also on the rise. He points to the horric shooting at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh along with the dissemination of anti-Semitic iers, the desecration of Menorahs and the appearance of swastikas in public places.Butler, who is working with other faith groups to strengthen hate crime legislation, says the town halls were a step in the right direction. “The town halls sparked discussion that needed to happen and brought to light the need for sensitivity. All of us need to be more cognizant of how what we saymight impact others.Town hall 3: Hellam TownshipThe third town hall, which occurred in Hellam Township where Chad Merrill was murdered, was devoted to healing in the context of tragedy. Chief John Snyder NO HATE IN OUR STATE York County, PA A Social Justice Town Hall ▪ The Third in a Series of Three York City ▪ West Manchester ▪ Hellam Township Thursday, January 31, 2019 Hellam Fire Company 163 E. Market Street Hellam, PA 17406 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. AGENDA Welcome/PHRC Mission & Vision Statement Chad Dion Lassiter, MSW – PHRC Executive Director Introduction of Advisory Council and Community Advocates Tameka M. Hatcher, Educational Outreach/Police Training Program Coordinator Chief James Pollock Hellam Police Department Rev. Dr. Melvin R. Baber Friendship Baptist Church Rev. Teri Darden, RNC Gateway Church of York Lynn Sharp, Counselor Gateway Church of York Sandra Thompson, President York Chapter of the NAACP Carl Summerson PHRC Hearing Examiner PUBLIC COMMENT/DISCUSSION Closing Remarks Chad Dion Lassiter, MSW – PHRC Executive Director A Very Special THANK YOU to the Hellam Fire Company for Opening Their Doors.

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www.phrc.pa.govtwitter.com/PA_HumRelComm12“We held this event near the bar where the murder happened,” explains Lassiter. At this poignant event, participants shared stories of overcoming trauma and dealing with cycles of grief, pain, faith and healing wounds. Members of the law enforcement community spoke about how the tragic event aected them. • Chief James Pollock , Hellam Police Department • Rev. Dr. Melvin R. Baber, Friendship Baptist Church • Rev. Teri Darden, RNC, Gateway Church of York • Lynn Sharp, Counselor, Gateway Church of York • Sandra Thompson, President, York Chapter of the NAACP • Carl Summerson, PHRC Hearing ExaminerBut the most heart-wrenching moment of the event occurred when Pearl Wise, the Mother of Chad Merrill got up to speak. Sharing cherished memories of her son she told the crowd, that her son was someone who would do anything fora friend.In recognition of her son’s heroics, Lassiter presented Wise with a plaque of appreciation. He stressed that stressed that the community shouldn’t be quick to get back to a sense of normalcy. “We can’t let complacency overtake us. We must remain vigilant,” he says.Larry Walthour II, the Senor Pastor at Shiloh Baptist Church, agrees. Walthour who was a panelist at the rst town hall also attended the nal session. “The challenge now is the follow through,” he says. There are a lot of conversations in the community around racial equity. But we can’t have conversation without commitment. We must be committed to ghting racism in the boardroom, on the job, and in the community.”Pearl Wise and Chad Dion LassiterPastor Larry T. Walthour II

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13www.phrc.pa.govtwitter.com/PA_HumRelCommPHRC has already seen several positive outcomes as a result of the town halls. “We’ve received several emails, letters, and phone calls from people who are interested in learning about racism and how to combat it. We’ve also seen an increase in the number of people joining advisory councils,” says Lassiter. “The community is more aware that PHRC is a living breathing organism and that we will work to protect and empower them,” Lassiter also noted that PHRC has itself benetted from the events. We’ve learned about other organizations that are doing this work and have developed new partnerships that will increase our eectiveness,” he says.Since the initial meetings, PHRC has received several requests to replicate the program in other counties and has begun scheduling town halls throughout the state. But Lassiter stresses that the town halls are only one aspect of the PHRC’s a multi-pronged approach to addressing discrimination, bias and hate in our state. “We will continue to collaborate with partners such as the State Police, the Attorney General’s oce, the NAACP, the Anti-Defamation League, Houses of faith, nonprots and others to support a unied agenda to eradicate the shadow of hate,” he says.Additionally, PHRC is working with the Anti-Defamation League to enhance the methodology for identifying hate groups in the state and is taking steps to ensure that incidents of discrimination, bias and hate are reported. To that end, it is working to recruit more people to serve on the 11 local advisory councils throughout the commonwealth, which serve as eyes and ears on the ground. PHRC will also continue to sponsor workshops, symposiums and lecture series aimed at increasing awareness around discrimination, bias and hate, and educating individuals about their rights and the recourse they have if they experience discrimination.Moving ForewardWhat Can You Do?Join a group working towards equityRemember: You are the change you want to see in the world.Build white allies...File a complaint with PHRC... • To join a PHRC advisory council contact - Reed Reynolds 717-783-7834 or rereynolds@pa.gov...Eliminating discrimination, bias and hate requires all people, including white people,to actively stand up to racism. ...when faced with any type of discrimination or hate crime. To le a complaint go to:https://www.phrc.pa.gov • To join the Interagency Task Force contact - Tameka Hatcher 717-783-8486 or thatcher@pa.gov • Other groups include: ― Local human relations commissions ― The NAACP ― PA Jewish Coalition ― Community Responders Network ― Anti Defamation League  ―YWCA ―Latinos Unidos ― The Center for Independent Living of Central PA

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www.phrc.pa.govtwitter.com/PA_HumRelComm14NO HATE NO HATE IN OUR STATE HELLAM TOWNSHIP, YORK COUNTY, PA “We must heal our communities and stand together against violence that grows from deep rooted hate, society will not survive otherwise.” -Chad Dion Lassiter, PHRC Executive Director CONFRONTING RACISM IN A RACIALLY DIVERSE REGION In this the third of three Town Hall discussions to take place across York Co. the PHRC along with Local Organizations and the Faith Based Community will facilitate a community discussion about healing after the senseless murder of Chad Merrill who stood up against the racist verbal attack of his African American friend. Free Event Social Justice Town Hall Series When: Thursday January 31, 2019 6:30-8:30pm Where: Hellam Twp. Fire Dept. 163 E. Market Street Hellam, PA 17406 Who We Are: The Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission is the agency that enforces the law that prohibit discrimination in the areas of employment, education, housing & commercial property and public accommodations. CONTACT: RENEE MARTIN COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR 717.787.4410 renmartin@pa.gov www.phrc.pa.gov Free Events!IN OUR STATE“We must heal our communities and stand together against violence that grows from deep rooted hate, society will not survive otherwise” - Chad Dion Lassiter, PHRC Executive DirectorWho We Are: The Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission is the agency that enforces the law that prohibit discrimination in the areas of employment, education, housing & commercial property and public accommodations.CONTACT:Renee MartinCommunications Director717.787.4410

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www.phrc.pa.govtwitter.com/PA_HumRelComm15Thank you to all who participatedWe hope that you will keep talking and bring new and diverse voicesto the table to move the conversation forward. PHRC and ourAdvisory Council are proud to have assisted in bringingso many together and we will continue to do so. Listed here are those who participated or provided resources. We share this information as a resource for work moving forward.Thank you to all who participated We hope that you will keep talking and bring new and diverse voices to the table to move the conversation forward. PHRC and our Advisory Council are proud to have assisted in bringing different so many together and we will continue to do so. Listed here are those who participated or provided resources. We share this information as resource for work moving forward. Michael Helfrich, Mayor York City……………….………….….717-849-2221York Human Relations Commission………………………….…717-846-2926Larry Walthour, Pastor Shiloh Baptist Church……………..954-790-0403 Rev. Dr. Melvin Baber, Friendship Baptist Church……….melvin.baber2@verizon.net Lynn Sharp, Gateway Church of York…………………………..717-887-7525 Jane Conover, Confronting Racism Group……………………jconover@yccf.org Jean Treuthart, YWCA………………………………………………….717-845-2631 James Pollock, Chief Hellam PD……………………………………717-252-3714 Sandra Thompson, NAACP…………………………………………..717-577-4436 Crispus Attutucks Center Robert Simpson…………………………………………………717-848-3610 West Manchester City Building Kelly Kelch…………………………………………………………717-792-3505 York Advisory Council to PHRC Mabusha Cooper ……………………………………….…….push718@gmail.comJohn Eyester……………………………………………….….…717-515-7646Hellam Fire Hall Derek Dietz……………………………………………………….717-757-3333 Joyce Dusman….……………………………………………….717-755-3976Hank Butler, PA Jewish Coalition……………………….….….…hank@pajewishcoalition.orgJohn Snyder, Chief West Manchester PD…………………….717-792-9514Rev. Yvette B. Davis, Power Interfaith…………………………215-232-7697Sgt. William Slaton, PSP Equality and Inclusion Office…717-562-5808 Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission Central Office…….………………….………………………….717-787-4410Thank you Ms Pearl Wise for sharing your son, Chad Merrill’s story with us.

York County No Hate In Our State

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