The City of Eugene Human Rights Commission will honor Eugene Mayor Kitty Piercy as Human Rights Champion at its annual International Human Rights Day Celebration this Wednesday, Dec. 7, at the Atrium building at 943 Olive St. in Eugene. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., program begins at 6 p.m. The event is free and the public is invited to attend.
The United Nations approved the Universal Declaration of Human Rights on December 10, 1948. Eugene’s Human Rights Commission honors the occasion each year by hosting an event highlighting organizations or individuals who have done outstanding work for human rights.
To mark the mayor’s outstanding years of service, the commission decided this year to honor Mayor Piercy. “As we celebrate International Human Rights Day and the 68th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, it is only fitting that we recognize Mayor Kitty Piercy as a Human Rights Champion,” says Human Rights Commission chair Ken Neubeck. “She has been consistently supportive of Eugene becoming a Human Rights City, a city in which the principles and values of the Universal Declaration guide institutional operations and people's everyday relations with one another."
Community leaders and youth will be present to speak to the mayor’s successes and also discuss current human rights issues and concerns.
Speakers will include:
Assistant to Susan Sygall, Director of Mobility International USA (MIUSA), who will read a message from Sygall;
Jennifer Frenzer, Vice-Chair of the Human Rights Commission, on a proposal for a Eugene Sanctuary City resolution;
Charles Martinez, UO Center for Equity Promotion;
Kevin Summerfield, Churchill High School;
Youth representatives from Eugene’s City Wide MEChA, Churchill High School Latino Student Union, Churchill High School Black Student Union;
Eugene City Councilor Chris Pryor; and
Mayor Kitty Piercy on Human Rights in Eugene.
Music will be performed by Cross Current