San Francisco Youth Commission
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Special Meeting at Alternative Location
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Koret Auditorium, Main Library
100 Larkin Street at Grove
Thursday October 9, 2008
5:00-7:00pm
There will be public comment on each item.
1. Call to Order and Roll Call
Commissioner Jones called the meeting to order at 5:09pm.
Commissioners present: Marshall-Fricker, Gee, Jones, Recinos, Frierson, Oliva, Balcazar, Castaing, Davidson, Lunsford, Martinez, Quesada
2. Approval of Agenda (Action Item)
Commissioner Jones moved to discuss the resolution on the Rights of the Child discussed after public comment on items not on the agenda are made and to approve the amended agenda. Commissioner Frierson seconded the motion. There was unanimous approval of the amended agenda.
3. Approval of Minutes (Action Item)
The minutes were approved unanimously.
4. Public Comment on Items not on Agenda
Francisco DeCosta spoke about the impacts of gang injunctions, highlighting that the area where people are being most impacted is in the South East sector.
Nadia Babella of the SF Human Rights Commission spoke about the work that they are doing to address issues impacting the LGBT community. She cited statistics and spoke to commissioners about LGBT harassment in the school system.
5. Staff Report
6. Unfinished Business (this item was discussed before new business)
A. Discussion re: Resolution urging Board of Supervisors to adopt the UN "Convention on the Rights of a Child" by Commissioner Lau.
Commissioner Martinez, in Commissioner Lau's absence,introduced the Resolution urging the Board of Supervisors to adopt the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child." The resolution will be forwarded by commissioners to appointing officers.
7. New Business
A. Youth Commission staff presentation regarding the provisions of California Proposition 6, which will appear on the November 2008 ballot.
Miriam Morley of the City Attorney's office spoke to the commission to ensure that they understood that the presentation about prop 6 was to prepare commissioners in the case that prop 6 passes. This is relevant for youth commissioners, as they are responsible for advising the Mayor and Board of Supervisors. She admonished that commissioners not take a position on the initiative as a commission, though they were able to state their opinion as individuals.
Marna Anning, Youth Commission staff delivered a presentation about California Propostion 6, overviewing the main impacts, useful facts to consider, and outlining new penalties and crimes included in the policies of proposition 6.
Public Comment on this item:
MK Nguyen of the Coleman Action Fund and the League of Young Voters stated the provisions within prop 6 are racist and irresponsible, citing the fact that 75% of inmates are high school drop outs, and that the government should invest in schools, not incarceration.
Gustavo Lopez of HOMEY said that prop 6, if passed would lead to a misuse of funds by the government and that it is utilization of repression tactics, which are aimed at those who are underprivileged and people of color.
Chelsea Boilard of Coleman Advocates spoke of the need to address the juvenile injustice system, and said that prop 6 is not a way to support youth. Coleman Advocates says no to prop 6 and no to targeting young people of color.
Achachi Ameechi a youth filmmaker spoke about a film that she is working on that has to do with the high drop out rates in her community and in the city. She spoke about the many families with neglected children, lack of access to higher education, and the prevalence of gang membership. She is in support of prop 6, because she said she can feel a blackening of the streets, and is unhappy that she feels in danger in her own community.
Alejandra Mojica of HOMEY drew parallels between the implementation of policies outlined in prop 6 to the Holocaust, saying that the policies allow for people to be rounded up and locked up. She stated that our young people need to be nurtured, not punished, and that prop 6 is a racist attack on people of color.
Nancy Hernandez, June Jordan teacher spoke about how the policies in prop 6, if in place when she were younger would have landed her in jail. She noted the dangers that are involved with the policies about gang affiliation, which would make many more young people suspect in the eyes of enforcement agents. She said that young people need to be able to make mistakes, and that investing more money in what doesn't work will just land more people in jail for life.
Francisco DeCosta gave thanks to HOMEY, United Playaz, and Coleman Advocates for all of the work that they do to help the community. He said that the Youth Commission must do the work to protect young people in this city, and that incarceration should not conquer education.
Rene from HOMEY echoed what allies had already said during public comment, and reiterated that opening doors for kids shouldn't mean opening prison doors asking "at what point do people of color stand up?" He spoke of his need to protect his own children, and said that the community needs to "sing no on prop 6."
Audrey Enges of Coleman Advocates talked about prop 21, which is eerily similar to prop 6. Prop 21 fell 8 years ago, and it feels like people keep having to fight the same fight. She referred to her daughter asking for the state to have faith in her, and provide a better education system, so that young people aren't funneled into the prison system., where the population has increased at alarming rates. She stated that the government needs to stop ensuring law enforcement jobs and put funds towards education.
Malachi Garza of Community Justice Network for Youth said that there is a need for a solution to the problem of violence and incarceration, and that putting more young people in jail is not that solution. She said that CBO participation in Juvenile Justice Coordinating Councils is part of the solution. She invited members of the public to meet and discuss strategies to combat prop 6 with her.
Christina Gomez of Community Justice Network for Youth said that the folks at CJNY see prop 6 as predatory and harmful to youth, highlighting that according to gang injunctions, 3 people make up a gang. She also said that alternatives are needed to protect these youth, who can not find affordable housing, which is leading to a growth in the homeless population. Gomez echoed sentiments about the dangers posed by prop 6 expressed by other members of the public.
8. Announcements (This includes Community Events)
9. Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 6:28pm.
Supplemental documents for agenda items are available for review at City Hall Room 345. Minutes are also available on the Youth Commission Website at www.sfgov.org/youth_commission
ACCESSIBLE MEETING POLICY
The Youth Commission meeting will be held in City Hall Room 416 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place, San Francisco, CA. The closest accessible BART station is the Civic Center Station at the United Nations Plaza and Market Street. Accessible MUNI lines serving this location are: MUNI Metro Lines J-Church, K-Ingleside, L-Taraval, M-Oceanview, N-Judah, and T-Third Street at Van Ness and Civic Center Stations; 9-San Bruno, 19-Polk, 47-VanNess, and 71-Haight Noriega. For information about MUNI accessible services call 923-6142.
The Commission meeting room is wheelchair accessible. Accessible curbside parking spaces have been designated on the corners of McAllister and Polk, and Grove and Polk. There is accessible parking available within the Civic Center Underground Parking Garage at the corner of McAllister and Polk Streets, and within the Performing Arts Parking Garage at Grove and Franklin Streets.
If you require the use of an American sign language interpreter, a sound enhancement system, or a reader during the meeting, Calendars and minutes of the meeting in alternative formats; such arrangements can be made by calling Gillian Bogart at (415) 554-6446, at least 72 hours prior to the meeting. Late requests will be honored if possible.
Individuals with severe allergies, environmental illness, multiple chemical sensitivity or related disabilities should call our accessibility hotline at (415) 554-8925 to discuss meeting accessibility. In order to assist the City's efforts to accommodate such people, attendees at public meetings are reminded that other attendees may be sensitive to various chemical based products. Please help the City to accommodate these individuals.
KNOW YOUR RIGHTS UNDER THE SUNSHINE ORDINANCE
(Chapter 67 of the San Francisco Administrative Code)
Government's duty is to serve the public, reaching its decision in full public. Commissions, boards, councils and other agencies of the City and County exist to conduct the people's business. The Ordinance assures that deliberations are conducted before the people and that City Operations are open to the people's review.
For more information on your rights under the Sunshine Ordinance, or to report a violation of the ordinance, contact Frank Darby by mail to: Administrator, Sunshine Ordinance Task Force, City Hall Room 224, 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place, San Francisco, CA 94102; by phone at (415) 554-7724; by fax at (415) 554-5163; or by e-mail at frank.darby@sf.gov.org
Citizens interested in obtaining a free copy of the Sunshine Ordinance can request a copy from Mr. Darby or by printing Chapter 67 of the San Francisco Administrative Code on the internet, at http://www.sfgov.org/bdsupvrs/sunshine.htm