West Hartford Human Rights Commission

08/25/2025

Standing in solidarity for human rights with our Newington neighbors.

07/09/2025

“The preamble to the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights begins with this simple but powerful statement: “…recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world”. Consistent with that fundamental principle, a new Connecticut law promotes the dignity and equal rights of our older residents in particular, by forbidding discrimination in long term care facilities. Here is a summary of the new law in an article by Hugh McQuaid in Capitol Dispatch:

A new policy will prohibit discrimination in Connecticut’s long-term care facilities based on factors like race, disability, sexual orientation or medical status under a statute signed into law this month by Gov. Ned Lamont. The law passed with bipartisan support in both chambers of the legislatur...

06/11/2025

Immigrant Rights are Human Rights: SURJ Online Training Tonight!

We’ve all seen the headlines. Our neighbors and community members are being targeted by ICE–a high school student in Meridan and 4 men in Southington have been taken in the past week alone.

The West Hartford Human Rights Commission affirms that immigrant rights are human rights, and urges residents to consider whether these actions reflect the values we hold as a community and whether these actions align with the principles outlined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, including:

• Article 3 – The right to life, liberty, and security of person
• Article 9 – Freedom from arbitrary arrest, detention, or exile
• Article 11 – The right to due process and a fair hearing
• Article 12 – Protection from interference with family and home
• Article 14 – The right to seek asylum
• Article 20 – Freedom of peaceful assembly and association
• Article 26 – The right to education

Want to learn more about how you can support immigrant families in our community?

📢 Upcoming Training Opportunity
On Wednesday, June 11 at 7:00 PM ET, Showing Up for Racial Justice (SURJ) is hosting a national online training and Action Hour to help community members—especially white allies—stand in solidarity with immigrants and resist anti-immigrant enforcement efforts.

Participants will hear directly from organizers in Los Angeles and across the U.S. about how ICE raids are being used to advance a broader agenda of authoritarianism and racism—and what we can do to push back.

🗓️ Training: How White People Can Show Up for Immigrant Justice
🔗 Register here: https://www.mobilize.us/surj/event/800544/?referring_vol=10859077&fbclid=IwY2xjawK1meVleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBicmlkETFuSndoamRvRGVyWHQ1WXNvAR6gm7bQGHtt8Cfgm_JY3d9HfO2gqLoXMMypv7v6gMxBdY3ra-_ABqsRciM0uw_aem_6jIfcYzLXHgwHOvs2vqBJQ

📣 Looking to learn more and take action locally?
You can also get involved with immigrant justice work here in Connecticut!

Check out:
👉 Colectivo de Defensa de Hartford / Hartford Deportation Defense
https://colectivodefensa.org/en_CA/
👉 Make the Road CT
https://www.maketheroadct.org/about-us

Let’s stand together for a West Hartford—and a world—where everyone is treated with dignity, safety, and belonging.

Disclaimer: The West Hartford Human Rights Commission shares information on a wide variety of human rights topics. The views expressed in linked events or external content do not necessarily reflect those of the Commission.

Make the Road Connecticut works to support immigrants to be active in their communities and to lift themselves out of poverty through legal and support services, civic engagement, transformative education and policy innovation.

06/11/2025

Tracey's Pride Ride is Thursday, June 12th at 6pm! This year's Grand Marshal is Anne Stanback. West Hartford Pride has teamed with Bike West Hartford, Inc. to bring you a great Pride ride through West Hartford. Decorate your bikes and wear your pride gear! Meet at BiCi Co. Community Bike Shop - Center for Latino Progress located at 616 New Park Ave in West Hartford. To participate, please register with the link in comments. Tracey's Pride Ride is sponsored by The Health Collective.

06/09/2025

Join us for a great conversation on June 11th at 6pm at Noah Webster Library on the topic of Connecticut and Juneteenth with John Mills from the Alex Breanne Corporation:

Program Description

The Militia Act of 1862 made it legal for African American men to enlist in state militias, ultimately leading to the creation of Connecticut’s 29th and 30th Colored Regiments during the Civil War. During this presentation, historian John Mills of the Alex Breanne Corporation will delve into the circumstances, events, and social conditions that shaped perspectives in Connecticut leading into Juneteenth.

The Alex Breanne Corporation is an organization focused on promoting social clarity and informed context regarding the African-American experience through research, interrogation and presentation of lesser-known stories representing the life experience of the American enslaved, presented from an African-American perspective.



Register Here:
https://westhartford.librarymarket.com/event/preserving-black-american-history-nwl-85831

06/09/2025

🚶‍♀️🚲 Safety Is a Human Right!

Shoutout to West Hartford Public Library for helping our community stay safe! Stop by any circulation desk to pick up a free Vision Zero magnet and reflective armband – perfect for walking, biking, or rolling out after dark.

Learn more about the Town’s Vision Zero Plan to eliminate traffic-related deaths and serious injuries: bit.ly/WHPL_VisionZero

This effort reflects the spirit of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, including:

• Article 3 – The right to life, liberty, and security of person
• Article 25 – The right to a standard of living adequate for health and well-being

Access to safe public spaces is a matter of equity and dignity. Whether on foot or on wheels – everyone deserves to move safely through our community.

Pick up a free reflective armband at any West Hartford Public Library circulation desk—while supplies last! Stay safe and be seen, whether you're walking, biking, or out at night. Learn more about the Town of West Hartford’s Vision Zero Plan here: bit.ly/WHPL_VisionZero

06/09/2025

Come celebrate Juneteenth at the West Hartford CommUnity Juneteenth Celebration with us next weekend!

05/29/2025

News Alert: Connecticut General Assembly Amends Trust Act, Impacting Immigrant Rights

Connecticut lawmakers have voted to amend the state's Trust Act, which addresses the participation of state and local officials in the efforts of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (“ICE”) to detain unauthorized non-citizens.

The updated law builds on earlier safeguards by setting clearer boundaries on immigration enforcement cooperation and creating a new accountability measure that allows individuals to take legal action if a state or local official cooperates with ICE in violation of the Trust Act’s constraints. It also expands the circumstances in which cooperation with ICE is permissible.

This legislation reflects a concern for Human Rights, including several key principles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR):
* Article 2 – Freedom from discrimination
* Article 3 – Right to life, liberty, and security of person
* Article 6 – Right to recognition as a person before the law
* Article 7 – Equal protection before the law
* Article 9 – Freedom from arbitrary arrest, detention, or exile
* Article 13 – Freedom of movement and residence

What to learn more and/or get involved?
Read the full article on this latest legislation here from the CT Mirror here: https://ctmirror.org/2025/05/27/ct-expand-trust-act-immigration/

Learn more about the Trust Act NOW! Campaign here:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61575796496690&mibextid=wwXIfr&rdid=Pvjdu2jZhbac6mx8&share_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fshare%2F1BjDB5AWXD%2F%3Fmibextid%3DwwXIfr #
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trustactnow?igsh=MTAzbXM3b2x2NzM5NA%3D%3D

473 Followers, 213 Following, 79 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from Trust Act, NOW! Campaign ()

05/12/2025

Join us for a Community Conversation about the Town of West Hartford’s Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Self-Evaluation and Transition Plan process.

Valerie Fletcher, with the Institute for Human Centered Design (IHCD), will give a summary and host a listening session to gather feedback on the experiences and needs of people with disabilities regarding Town facilities and programs.

Monday, May 19, 2025, 7:00-8:00 p.m.
West Hartford Town Hall,
50 South Main Street, Room 314

Tuesday, May 20, 2025, 12:30-1:30 p.m.
Elmwood Community Center Auditorium
1106 New Britain Ave. (enter via Burgoyne St.)

Sign up for a brief virtual or private in-person conversation with Valerie on May 20, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Copy this URL to sign up: https://bit.ly/3GOfc1g

Everyone is welcome, and we encourage participation from individuals with disabilities, their families, advocates, and anyone interested in creating a more inclusive community for West Hartford.

05/05/2025

Event Highlight: Community Conversation on Hate Crimes - May 9, 6-7:30pm: West Hartford Town Hall.
(Details in comments.)

05/05/2025

Please Note:
The HRC May Meeting has been cancelled.
We will reconvene on June 4th!

04/24/2025

April is Sexual Assault Awareness month. As SState Representative Jillian Gilchrestexplains is this video, the Connecticut General Assembly is working on legislation to support victims of sexual assault. These victims, like everyone, deserve protection for their right to “security of person” – one of the fundamental human rights enumerated in Article 3 of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Whatever the outcome of this proposed legislation, it is encouraging to note that issues which find their roots in Human Rights principles are receiving attention in the General Assembly.

108 likes, 2 comments. “This use your voice to push for change at the state legislature!”