Human Rights Commission debates future role amid post-election concerns

Palm Springs officials and residents are grappling with concerns about potential threats to human rights following Donald Trump’s re-election, as the city’s Human Rights Commission (HRC) debates its future role and focus.

At a meeting Tuesday evening, members of the HRC and public speakers pushed back against a proposal to shift the commission’s emphasis from human rights to human services, arguing such a move could weaken protections for vulnerable populations at a critical time.

“This is where we have such an opportunity to meet the moment in this city. This is not the opportunity to say, let’s just stop now,” said Scott Nevins, a city resident who is awaiting final approval before joining the HRC. “We know what is coming down the pike. We know that there are people in our community who are terrified of what is going to happen to their human rights.”

Established in 1992 to “promote and protect the diversity of our community and to improve human relations through education and community awareness,” the original mission aimed to address discriminatory practices and foster a more inclusive environment within the city during turbulent times for the LGBTQ+ community. 

The discussion Tuesday evening centered on a draft staff report suggesting the commission could shift its focus to assist residents in accessing existing services and participate in community events, rather than focusing on human rights advocacy.

Vice Chair David Vignolo expressed “extreme concerns” with the direction being proposed for the commission. A City Council subcommittee of Mayor Jeffrey Bernstein and Councilmember Grace Garner assisted in drafting the proposal, but were not present for the discussion on Tuesday.

“Although a reimagined commission could certainly look at human services in the course of its work, without also looking at the promotion and expansion of human rights at a time when there is so much division, anger and concern among Palm Springs residents would be a disservice to the community,” Vignolo said.

Several commissioners emphasized the importance of maintaining the commission’s core focus on human rights while potentially expanding into social services.

“I think that Palm Springs is a model type of city and I think that it requires that we have an active and a vibrant human rights commission that also does social service type work,” said Commissioner Beverly Greer.

“We know what is coming down the pike. We know that there are people in our community who are terrified of what is going to happen to their human rights.”

— Scott Nevins

Public speakers warned that dismantling or weakening the HRC could damage Palm Springs’ reputation as an inclusive city, especially in light of Trump’s re-election.

“This story, if we were to get rid of the Human Rights Commission one week after Trump’s election, would be catnip for the media across the country and around the globe,” Nevins said.

Rich Weissman, a Palm Springs resident involved in economic development efforts, cautioned that eliminating the commission could hurt initiatives to attract technology companies to the city.

“So much of what we do is based on being a city that is tolerant and that upholds human rights, particularly, by the way, LGBTQ people,” Weissman said.

The commission, which lacked a quorum Tuesday, cannot currently take official action due to restrictions placed by the City Council in June.

Deputy City Manager Jeremy Hammond, who serves as staff liaison to the commission, said he would next revise the staff report to incorporate feedback from the meeting. The revised report will be presented to the City Council on Nov. 21 for discussion and potential direction to staff.

Commissioners urged attendance at the Nov. 21 council meeting to provide input on the commission’s future. They also called for the council to allow the commission to resume some normal business while the review process continues.

“I hope the council will allow us to get back to some semblance of normal business while this process of reimagining or rebranding or updating the statute in the municipal code takes place,” Vignolo said.

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