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Barnstable County Human Rights Advisory Commission Announces Office of Massachusetts Attorney General Presentation: “Know your Civil Rights” and “What is a Hate Crime”       

For Immediate Release

April 27, 2021 (Barnstable, MA) – The Attorney General’s Civic Engagement Office, in collaboration with the Barnstable County Human Rights Advisory Commission (BCRAC), will present a webinar on civil rights and hate crimes during its monthly board meeting on May 10, 2021.  Amanda Hainsworth, Assistant Attorney General in the AG’s Civil Rights Division, will discuss the civil rights of people under state and federal laws.

The webinar will focus on the basics of Massachusetts anti-discrimination law in employment, housing, public accommodations, and other contexts. The presentation will also include an overview of hate crimes. There will be an opportunity to ask general questions about civil rights and civil liberties. The speaker will not address specific legal questions or give legal advice on incidents or personal scenarios.

The virtual event (on Zoom) is open to the public but does require registration. Register in advance for this meeting: https://umass-amherst.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJIrf-qurDMjEtLVfJWTk99TvER9HwXXWVUs

The public is encouraged to stay for the entire board meeting, including an overview of the BCHRAC Complaint/Referral/Incident reporting process, a student presentation from the Human Rights Academy, and the Coordinator’s Report of current activities.

The May agenda and related meeting documents will be posted by May 4, 2021, on the website: https://www.barnstablecountyhrac.org/.

ABOUT THE ATTORNEY GENERAL’S OFFICE: The Attorney General’s Civil Rights Division enforces and protects the rights of all people in Massachusetts. The Civil Rights Division fights discrimination works to ensure all people are given an equal opportunity to participate in civic society and protects individual rights of free speech and privacy.

ABOUT THE BARNSTABLE COUNTY HUMAN RIGHTS ADVISORY COMMISSION: The mission of the Human Rights Advisory Commission is to promote equal opportunity for all persons of Barnstable County regardless of race, color, religious creed, national origin, gender, age, ancestry, sexual or affectional preference marital, family or military status, source of income, neighborhood or disability, where unlawful discrimination exists in housing, employment, education, public accommodations, town or county services, insurance, banking, credit, and health care. Learn more at https://www.barnstablecountyhrac.org/

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