Update: December 10, 2012: Read news reports of the December 8 “Listening Session”
One in a series of “Listening Sessions” on African American life in Orange County is scheduled for 9am, Saturday, December 8, 2012 at Irvine’s Christ Our Redeemer (COR) Church.
The Orange County Human Relations Commission shared the story of a Black family leaving Yorba Linda, CA because of a series of racially motivated crimes and incidents. Over the past two years a Black family experienced rocks shattering the windows of their house, 8 tires on their two cars being slashed, racial slurs yelled at a family member from passing cars, and acid pellets shot at their home. “These crimes were not reported in our annual hate crime report, and the Commission wants to go into the community with ‘Listening Sessions’ to hear additional stories of the African American experience in OC, including hate incidents or crimes that may not have been reported. Racist behavior and hate crimes are not tolerated in Orange County,” said Doug Wooley, OC Human Relations Commissioner.
Christ Our Redeemer AME Church, West Coast Christian Tabernacle, New Spirit Baptist Church, OC Human Relations Commission, OC NAACP, Dr. Thomas Parham, and the Thurgood Marshall Bar Association invite community members to share their stories, challenges, and celebrations of living in Orange County, CA 9:00am-11:00am, Saturday, December 8, 2012 at Christ Our Redeemer AME Church, 46 Maxwell, Irvine, CA 92618. “Orange County like other communities has a few misguided people, but we live in one of the most diverse and safe communities in America,” says Rev. Mark Whitlock. Senior Minister of Christ Our Redeemer AME Church, Irvine, CA.
“OC Human Relations Commission invites you to share your personal experiences living in OC and we look forward to an ongoing dialog with the African American community over the next few months.” Stated Carol Turpen, Chair, OC Human Relations Commission.
Read the full Listening Session Press Release.
Where and When:
9:00-11:00am, Saturday, December 8, at Christ Our Redeemer AME Church, 46 Maxwell, Irvine, CA 92618
For More Information:
COR Church
949-955-0014
Rev. Mark Whitlock
markw@corchurch.org
OC Human Relations Commission
714-567-7465
Rusty Kennedy, Executive Director
rusty@splash.ochumanrelations.org
