HARRISBURG, PA – The Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission (PHRC), the state's leading civil justice enforcement agency, stands with the leaders of Bethlehem, Lehigh Valley and the NAACP in denouncing discrimination and white supremacy. Further, the PHRC supports the "No Home for Hate" campaign and petition launched by the local leaders at a press conference Monday.
"We are outraged by the news that white supremacists are emboldened to the point of distributing flyers in the mailboxes of private citizens, spewing racist and discriminatory messages," Chad Dion Lassiter, MSW, executive director of the PHRC, said. "This insensitive and brazen activity is tangible evidence of the deeper-rooted problem of hate and bigotry that needs to be addressed. We are proud of and stand with the leaders of Bethlehem and Lehigh Valley who have come forward to face this problem head on, and we are here to support their efforts."
In addition, Executive Director Lassiter urges anyone who has experienced acts of discrimination to file a complaint with the PHRC by calling 717-787-4410. Information and resources are also available at www.PHRC.pa.gov. Unconscious Bias and other anti-discrimination trainings are also available at no charge to any group or organization within the Commonwealth. To request information or schedule a training, visit: www.phrc.pa.gov/EducationandOutreach/Pages/Training-and-Events.aspx.
PHRC plans to work together with the NAACP and civic leaders to facilitate public discussion on this matter through a Lehigh Valley Public Town Hall before the end of the year.
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About PA Human Relations Commission (PHRC):
The PA Human Relations Commission (PHRC) promotes equal opportunity for all and enforces
Pennsylvania's civil rights laws that protect people from unlawful discrimination. As Pennsylvania's leading civil justice enforcement agency, it is our vision that all people in Pennsylvania will live, work, and learn free from unlawful discrimination. For more information or to file a claim, visit: https://www.phrc.pa.gov/.