The Sonoma County Commission on Human Rights will hold public meetings in each of the five districts throughout the year. The goal is to increase visibility and awareness of the commission, build bridges with existing organizations, and provide a platform for the public to access information and participate in discussion on issues that are of interest to communities. The Commission’s first road show meeting was in Petaluma in January and focused on Housing. The next meeting will be an Education Forum in Sonoma Valley on Wednesday March 28th at the Sonoma Springs Community Hall, 18627 Sonoma Highway, from 5:30-7:30pm.

Speakers will include Raquel Mack, founder of Save Your VI on civil rights protections for students; Mick Gardner, Executive Director of Restorative Resources on interventions in the school to prison pipeline; Socorro Shields, Director of Education for the California Collaborative for Educational Excellence; and Jacquelyn Torres, Sonoma Valley High School student and Junior Human Rights Commissioner on the Education Gap affecting Latino students. There will also be a Q & A and public comment session. Spanish translation via headset will be provided.

The Commission on Human Rights is an appointed advisory board to the County Board of Supervisors. The mission (role) of the Sonoma County Commission on Human Rights is to provide leadership, guidance, and assistance in insuring that all members of our community – especially those among us who are marginalized or disadvantaged – enjoy the full range of human rights to which every person is entitled.