City of Alexandria, Virginia
Office of the City Manager
Alexandria City Hall
301 King Street, Suite 3500
Alexandria, Virginia 22314-3211
www.alexandriava.gov
Telephone: 703.838.4300
Fax : 703.838.6343

MEDIA ADVISORY

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: FEBRUARY 8, 2001
CONTACT: Jean Niebauer, Office of Human Rights, 703 838-6390
John Liss, Tenants’ and Workers’ Support Committee, 703 684-5697

HISPANIC COMMUNITY ISSUES FOCUS OF FEBRUARY HEARING

The Alexandria Human Rights Commission and the Tenants’ and Workers’ Support Committee announced today that they will be sponsoring a public hearing on possible discrimination suffered by Alexandria’s Hispanic Community. The hearing will be held at the Cora Kelly School, 3600 Commonwealth Avenue in Alexandria on Tuesday, February 20th, beginning at 7 p.m.

A multitude of challenges face Alexandria’s Hispanic community, including potentially discriminatory practices: poor treatment of day laborers, who are not paid for work done and who do not know they have legal recourse; fraudulent consumer practices such as advance-fee loans, pyramid schemes or home-solicitation sales; check-cashing issues such as fees, inability to open bank accounts and vulnerability to robbery; and access to housing and healthcare services.

This public hearing is the first in a series that the Human Rights Commission’s Outreach Committee will hold throughout Alexandria. The first hearing is focused on the Hispanic Community in the east-end of the City. Subsequent hearings or outreach efforts will be conducted in other areas of the City for other groups.

"Any individual who wishes to speak is encouraged to do so," said Commissioner Jim McClellan, who will serve as the session’s moderator. "Our goal is to offer a forum during which those who live and work in our City and experience discrimination can tell us about specific instances. Afterwards, we intend to work with the Hispanic community, City government and the business community on solutions." Resource information will be provided in English and Spanish.

Anyone interested is encouraged to attend. Interpreters will be available. Those wishing to speak are asked to contact Jon Liss, Tenants’ and Workers’ Support Committee, at 703 684-5697. Names need not be announced at the time remarks are given if anonymity is requested.

The Tenants' and Workers' Support Committee is a nonprofit group that provides assistance to anyone who needs help in seeking employment and a place to live in Alexandria.

The Human Rights Commission and the Alexandria Office of Human Rights were formed in 1975 to administer and enforce the provisions of the Human Rights Code and to recommend to City Council policies to advance human rights. The City is charged to assure that all persons have equal opportunity in and access to the areas of housing, employment, city contracts, health and social services, public accommodations, credit and education, without regard to race, color, sex, religion, ancestry, national origin, marital status, family status, age, disability or sexual orientation. The Commission can conduct studies, hold hearings and make recommendations and reports to City Council and the City Manager on discrimination and social conditions which may cause discrimination. The Outreach Committee is tasked with providing information to the community about Alexandria’s Human Rights Code and its protections and remedies; offering technical assistance to the business community to avoid discriminatory practices; and listening to issues and concerns in the community.
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