BOARD AND COMMISSION APPLICATION

If you would like to come before the commission or contact the commission, you can email or call the office at 508-979-1464.

Section 2-130 of the City Code: established 10/26/76.

Consists of nine members, each of whom shall reside or be employed in the City of New Bedford. Commission members shall serve without compensation and shall be appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by the City Council for THREE YEAR TERMS.

The mission of the Human Relations Commission is to;

• Advocate for the human and civil rights of all residents of the City of New Bedford
• Educate the public about their rights and create greater awareness of human rights issues
• Intake, mediate, or refer complaints of human rights violations
• Outreach – Work with public and private organizations to increase compliance with local state and federal laws and raise the level of awareness and sensitivity to human and civil rights issues

Human Rights Commission Pamphlet

To promote mutual understanding and respect among all citizens of the city and to assure equal opportunity for all, through education, research and investigation, and collaboration. To aid and assist in the enforcement of Mass General Laws Chapter 151B and 151 C sections 92A and 98 of Chapter 272 and section32 of Chapter 121B

National Human Rights Day Breakfast & Awards Program 

MLK Community Program

MLK Creative Expression Contest 

Facing Housing Discrimination Event

Combatting the Spread of Hate Event 

Governor’s Advisory Council on Black Empowerment Listening Session

Are you a victim of discrimination? We want to hear from you.

Contact: Marcelina Pina-Christian, Program Director & Executive Director of Human Rights Commission
Address: 181 Hillman Street (Bldg. #9) | Hours: Mon-Fri. 8:30-5:30
Phone: 508-979-1464 | Fax: 508-991-6262
E-mail: Marcelina.Pina-Christian@newbedford-ma.gov

Submit a complaint

HRC Complaint Form (English)
HRC Complaint Form (Spanish)
HRC Complaint Form (Portuguese)

“Dear welcomers,

Our thoughts today are with the people of Ukraine, and all those whose lives are uprooted because of the ever- present forces in our world that believe that domination — rather than democracy — is the path forward.

As the granddaughter of Holocaust survivors from Europe, and as the spouse of a survivor of the war that broke up the former Yugoslavia, and as the leader of an organization focused keenly on this issues, I know all too well that authoritarianism on the continent is not a new threat.

On every continent, refugees and other victims of scapegoating and racism are being used as pawns to enable graft, corruption, and power in the hands of the few, rather than the many. This is a story as old as time, and also one we have the power to change.

My greatest hope in this moment is that we not only show generosity and compassion toward the suffering of Ukrainians, but open our eyes to recognize this pattern in the displacement of people around the globe, stripping them of basic rights. This, in turn, creates yet another cycle of “us” and “them,” reinforcing historical foundations of genocide, racism, and exclusion that pit one group against another, or perpetuate notions of white supremacy.

What restores my faith that this is possible is the growing consciousness of and work to address this pattern at its narrative foundation, along with the rise of people-driven social movements that will once again play their part in bolstering democratic norms.

At their nexus is the leadership of welcoming communities, working actively to envision a different future and create the conditions now for belonging, well-being, and basic human rights for every person — no matter where we’ve come from. Now is the time to resist “chaos” narratives and reinforce the strength and capacity of our communities to extend our welcoming values abundantly, not only to Ukrainians, but other immigrant populations, and to anyone who may be feeling unsettled or unsafe.

Now is the time to remind our communities that safety is rooted in coming together across race and national origin to demonstrate that democracy, whether in our own backyard, or around the globe, is the way forward.

It is also a time to remember that every single person fleeing conflict has the right to seek safety in other countries and is entitled to protection without discrimination. 

Please as well as to reach out if there are other ways we can support you as a community — striving, together, to be beacons of hope for so many in this difficult moment.”

The New Bedford Human Rights Commission is not affiliated with “Welcoming America” but supports the sentiments in this message since we are also deeply concerned about the people and the situation in Ukraine.

Additional resources:

• Help website for Ukrainians from UNHCR 
• Advocate for protections in the US TPS for Ukrainians 
• Advocate for TPS for other populations in need of protection right now (sample sign-on letter)
• Examples from our international members:
• Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
• Welcoming Australia 
• COMPAS Oxford (UK)
• NPR roundup of how to help Ukrainians now