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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuman Relations Commission - Minutes - 03/11/1971FORT COLLINS COMMISSION ON HUMAN RELATIONS SPECIAL MEETING March 11, 1971 A special meeting of the Fort Collins Commission on Human Relations was held at 225 Second Street, Fort Collins, Colorado, Thursday, March 11, 1971 at 7:30 p.m. Present: Mrs. Walter Atherly Mr. John Moore Dr. Parker Preble Mr. David James Mr. Ralph Braden Mrs. Jessie Godinez Rev. James Baird Mr. Luke Long Mrs. Anthony Jiron Mr. Penfield Tate Mr. Gerald Templer Absent: Mr. Earl Kiely Mr. John Bustos Mr. Dean Olson Also Present: Rev. Keith Spahr Mr. Keith Shader - PHS Teacher Miss Isidora Rivera Mrs. Tom Fierce - Coloradoan Mrs. Jane Tester - Denver Post Members of the League of Women Voters Several Others The meeting was called to order by the president and the minutes of the last meeting were read and approved. Mr. John Moore, representing the Greivance and Investigation Committee gave a report concerning the complaint of James Michael Stroud against Murray's Furniture Company, attached is a copy of that report!" Mr. Pen Tate suggested that the Commission note that this is discriminatory but not illegal. Mr. Ralph Braden commented that employers have the right to dictate employee appearance. Mrs. Jessie Godinez suggested the Com- mission send a letter to Mr. Stroud. Mr. Ralph Braden made a motion that the report be accepted and a letter be written to Mr. Stroud outlining the Commission's findings and position. Mrs. Jessie Godinez seconded, motion carried. Mr. John Moore gave the second report of the Grievance and Investi- gation Committee regarding the complaint submitted by John Miranda, Frances Castaneda and Sadie LeJeune agains the Fort Collins Police Department, attached is a copy of that report�b Mr. Pen Tate also gave a report con- cerning this case. After considerable discussion of the arrest and cir- cumstances, it was decided that the Police had probable cause for investi- gation and arrest. It was also brought out that since two separate courts Human Relations Commission Speical Meeting March 11, 1971 Page 2 held there was probable cause for the arrests, there was no need for the Commission to argue that point. It was mentioned that only two of the six arrested were charged; one with possession and one with use of marajuana. One of the major complaints in this case was that the parties arrested were not allowed to make a phone call for several hours. Mr. Pen Tate moved that the Commission write a letter to the Police Department asking that all persons arrested be given the opportunity to make a phone call as soon as it is determined that they will be detained. Also, to remind the Police Department that all persons will be treated with courtesy and respect by all members of the Police Department. Motioned seconded by Mr. David James, motion carried. Mr. John Moore gave the third report concerning Miss Frances Castaneda and Mr. Reid ope, principal of Poudre High School. A copy of that report is attached.i( After a lengthy discussion, Mr. Pen Tate made a motion that the Commission act very strongly against Mr. Pope by way of a letter voic- ing our strong objection to the firing without due cause and facts. Mr. Luke Long seconded. Mr. David James suggested we try to get Mr. Pope and Miss Castaneda together again for possible reconciliation and re- instatment of her job. Dr. Baird make a motion that we tone down the letter in view of the facts presented, and try for this reconciliation, Mr. Pen Tate seconded, motion carried. Mr. Isidore Rivera of 409 Tenth Street, Fort Collins, unofficially told the Commission of his false arrest and discriminatory action taken by Sergeant Terry Rains on the night of his arrest, Saturday, March 6. Mr. Rivera said he would make a formal complaint at the April meeting. Mr. Pen Tate moved that we send answering letters to all complainants, the Police Department, Mr. Reid Pope and Mr. Perotin. Copies of these letters are attached. Mrs. Atherly advised the members that Chief Smith is in favor of a Human Relations class being offered to the Police Department to be taught by Mr. Pen Tate. A time and date to be decided later. Mr. Pen Tate suggested a work session for the entire Commission to establish purposes of the Human Relations Commission, a time and date to be set later. Mrs. Atherly advised the Commission of the resignation of Mr. Dean Olson, who is leaving town. Next meeting to be April 1, 1971, at 7:30 p.m. at 225 Second Street. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned. Respectfully submitted Gerald Templer Secretary •0 •• U) Report of the Investigation Committee of the Human Relations Com- mission regarding the case of James Stroud and Murray's Furniture Company. Murray Perotin, owner of Murray's Furniture Company was interviewed by John Moore on March 4, 1971, and reported the following: 1. That Mr. Stroud was hired as a part-time employee. 2. At the time of his employment, Mr. Stroud had "long" hair which Mr. Perotin said he did not like but he needed part-time help. 3. After working a short time, Mr. Stroud started to grow a beard. Mr. Perotin said he asked Mr. Stroud when he was going to shave off the beard and was told by Mr. Stroud that he was not going to shave it off and if he didn't like it, he guessed he would have to fire him; which Mr. Perotin did. 4. Mr. Perotin further stated that it was the combination of the appearance of the beard and the attitude of Mr. Stroud that resulted in his being fired. 5. Mr. Perotin also stated that he felt as an employer he had the r right to dictate standards of appearance of his employees. gi Report of the Investigation Commitee of the Human Relations Commi- ssion regarding the complaint submitted to the Commission on March 2, 1971, by John E. Miranda, Frances S. Castaneda, and Sadie LeJeune against the Fort Collins Police Department. In an interview on March 5, 1971 with Assistant Chief Eychner and subsequent conversation with Chief Smith, the following points were brought out. 1. Marijuana was found on at least one occupant of the car and evidence was found on the ground outside of the car. 2. That under the above circumstances, all occupants could have been held on conspiracy charges until bond was posted, but after a meeting with the Judge, and District Attorney, it was decided to dismiss the charges with prejudice agains those not in actual possession of marijuana. 3. In cases of arrest and investigation involving narcotics, cer- tain procedures are used for police protection, including the use of handcuffs. 4. That most city prisoners are held in the county jail. 5. That the prisoners were advised of their rights and that the time between the arrest and resease was not unreasonably long and could have been less had bonds been posted. At the time of the interview it was stated that the complete file on the case was in the hands of the City Attorney, but that a copy would be forwarded to the Commission upon completion. A copy of the police report was made available to the Commission on March 12, 1971, and is attached. 90 III Report of the Investigation Commitee of the Human Relations Com- mission regarding the case of Miss Frances Castaneda and Mr. Reid Pope, principal of Poudre High School. Mr. Pope was interviewed on March 4, 1971, by John Moore. During the invterview, the following facts were brought out. 1. That Miss Castaneda has been employed approximately two months as a teachers aid in a program set up by the School Board as a community aid for better relationship with the Mexican - American community. 2. That the job included working directly with Mexican -American youth and their problems relating to school drop outs, social adjustment and other related problems. 3. That a few days after the incident with the City Police, Miss Castaneda's mother phoned Mr. Pope and informed him that Miss Castaneda was going to resign her teachers aid job. However, Miss Castaneda in a later interview told Mr. Pope that she was not resigning. 4. Mr. Pope stated that after seeing the Police Report and talk- ing with Miss Castaneda, he felt that her effectivness in her present employment had been impaired and would not be for the best interest of the school or community. She was terminated.