Top 10 of 2018: #9 – Mr. Alton Brooks Advocates for Human Rights Office

Many important stories have been covered by the New Britain Progressive in 2018. It may be difficult to name only a few articles as the top stories of the year, but there are a few the New Britain Progressive would like to share as our Top Ten.  Other Top Ten stories can be found at “Top Ten Stories of 2018.”

The widely honored and respected Mr. Alton Brooks is considered to be the conscience of the city, and his words rightly carry weigh. Referred to, with respect and affection, as Mr. Brooks, he has held numerous leadership roles and is one of the most highly regarded advocates for equality and justice for all in New Britain’s history.

Mr. Brooks is a staunch Democrat, but his voice carries weight for both parties. Democratic and Republican officials have taken heed of his words and changed policies, knowing that he speaks truth and that what he says gives voice to the opinions and aspirations of thousands of people.

So, when Mr. Brooks spoke before the City Council (Mr. Alton Brooks Raises Concerns About Diminished Human Rights and Opportunities Office) advocating for the importance of the city’s Human Rights and Opportunities office, elected officials took notice.

This is a story that appears that it will continue into the new year, but it is one of the New Britain Progressive’s Top Ten Stories of 2018.

Mr. Alton Brooks Raises Concerns About Diminished Human Rights and Opportunities Office

December 14, 2018

Mr. Alton Brooks spoke at the recent meeting of the City Council, expressing concerns about the diminished role and facilities of the city’s Human Rights and Opportunities office.

The widely honored and respected Mr. Brooks made comments at the Council meeting on December 12, 2018 on behalf of the Political and Social Action Coalition of the Black Community, which includes the Black Democratic Club, the New Britain NAACP Branch and Black Ministers Alliance.

“Our deep concern,” Mr. Brooks said, “is the location of the Human Rights and Opportunities Department.”

He said that the present location of the, “Human Rights Officer is at a desk in the reception area of the Human Resources Department.”

“This, we feel, is totally unacceptable for this department,” Mr. Brooks said. “When I was executive director there … we had a three room Department, reception area, my private office and a small conference room.”

“When we come up now,” Mr. Brooks said, “we don’t have any area that is ready for us to sit and talk with the Human Rights Officer about our community problems.”

“We do not feel that this is fair for this department, and we would like to, in the Black Community, to have some meetings with the leadership of the Council on this matter.”

Ald. Brian Keith Albert (D-2) said that the Human Rights and Opportunities office, “is very, very, very important.” He said that it is important that, “when a person does have a concern or complaint that they are able to go into a separated office to voice their concerns.”

Albert added, “I don’t know how you can have a Human Rights and Opportunities Office underneath the New Britain Human Resources division. That innately is a conflict of interest.”

In 2016, the City Council, then with a 12 to 3 Republican majority approved a city reorganization plan proposed by Republican Mayor Erin Stewart that placed the city’s Human Rights and Opportunities Officer and Commission under the newly-created Human Resources Department.

Ald. Aram Ayalon (D-3) and the Council Majority Leader, Ald. Carlo Carlozzi, Jr. (D-5) also spoke in support Mr. Brooks concerns.

Albert said that he was submitting City Council petitions to address the concerns that Mr. Brooks had raised.

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