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<font face="Verdana" size="2">1471 Highland Avenue</font></b><p style="margin-top: 1; margin-bottom: 1"><b>
<font face="Verdana" size="2"> Needham, MA 02492<br>
Phone - 781-455-7500 ext. 314<br>
Fax - 781-449-4569</font></b><p style="margin-top: 1; margin-bottom: 1">
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<p align="center"><b><font face="Verdana" size="5" color="#0000FF">Letters</font></b></p>
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<p align="center"><a href="Index.htm">Needham Human Rights Home Page</a><!--mstheme--></font></td>
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<font face="Verdana" size="2">Letter Concerning Hate Groups:</font></p>
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<font face="Verdana" size="2">The Needham Human Rights committee has
worked hard in the past few months to bring forward the message that
�Needham is No Place For Hate�. The phrase, �No Place For Hate�,
is more then just a slogan. Behind those words are the real
experiences of many people who have witnessed and been the targets
of hate and evil. Picture all the faces that led to the formation
of those words. Picture all the families who have been torn apart
as a result of the blinding influence from those who would like to
eradicate all members of the population whom are different from
themselves. Picture the anguish and fear in the eyes of a child who
has witnessed hate in action, or has had to live with its
consequences. This phrase was born out of the real pain and torment
that has been directed on members of our society. We as a Human
Rights Committee, as families, and as a community must stand up and
say loud and clear, �We will not tolerate hate, bigotry or
prejudice in our town�. </font></p>
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<font face="Verdana" size="2">Recently Needham was targeted for the
distribution of hate literature. These flyers were found on front
lawns on two occasions within the last 6 weeks in our town. Coming
on the heels of March as �Needham is No Place For Hate�, we are
stunned by the audacity of this act. Too many good people worked
hard to create and participate in the month of March activities for
us to simply turn our heads and ignore this expression of hate.
</font></p>
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<font face="Verdana" size="2"> </font></p>
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<font face="Verdana" size="2">The Needham Human Rights Committee and
the Needham Clergy Association have joined together in a united
stand against hate. We are submitting a draft resolution to the
town meeting. </font></p>
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<font face="Verdana" size="2"> </font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="justify" style="margin-top: 1px; margin-bottom: 1px">
<font face="Verdana" size="2">It states:</font></p>
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<font face="Verdana" size="2"> </font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="justify" style="margin-top: 1px; margin-bottom: 1px">
<font face="Verdana" size="2">�<i>Whereas it has been reported in
the Needham Times and elsewhere that hate literature from the Ku
Klux Klan has been distributed on the lawns of many Needham
residents, </i></font></p>
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<font face="Verdana" size="2"><i> </i></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="justify" style="margin-top: 1px; margin-bottom: 1px">
<font face="Verdana" size="2"><i>Whereas Needham is dedicated to
being a place where people of diverse backgrounds are welcome and
enjoy equal opportunities regardless of their race, religion,
ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability, age, political views or
national origin., </i></font></p>
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<font face="Verdana" size="2"><i> </i></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="justify" style="margin-top: 1px; margin-bottom: 1px">
<font face="Verdana" size="2"><i>Whereas Needham is a place where
freedom of speech and freedom of thought are respected and protected
even when, and especially when, that speech is unpopular; but
Needham is also a place where racism, anti-Semitism, and all forms
of bigotry are contrary to the values of the community and where we
reject outright any discrimination and intimidation that is fueled
by bigotry.,</i></font></p>
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<font face="Verdana" size="2"><i> </i></font></p>
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<font face="Verdana" size="2"><i>Whereas, we recognize that we must
join together and speak out when hate rears its ugly head, and that
it is the obligation of leaders and all members of a healthy
community to refuse to stand idly by,</i></font></p>
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<font face="Verdana" size="2"><i> </i></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="justify" style="margin-top: 1px; margin-bottom: 1px">
<font face="Verdana" size="2"><i>Whereas, we recognize that the
sting of hate can hurt our friends, our neighbors, our children,
newcomers to our community, guests and visitors, and those who do
business here, and we will not let the voice of hate speak on behalf
of Needham,</i></font></p>
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<font face="Verdana" size="2"><i> </i></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="justify" style="margin-top: 1px; margin-bottom: 1px">
<font face="Verdana" size="2"><i>Now, therefore, be it resolved that
Needham hereby recognizes that the strength of our community depends
on standing up to hate in all forms, and embracing our diversity by
making a commitment to work with all members of the community for
mutual respect and understanding at all times.�</i></font></p>
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<font face="Verdana" size="2"> </font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="justify" style="margin-top: 1px; margin-bottom: 1px">
<font face="Verdana" size="2">The Anti defamation league has been
involved with us, and has been invaluable with their support and
guidance. During our month of March activities, we circulated a
�Resolution of Respect� that was given to us by the Anti Defamation
League. </font></p>
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<font face="Verdana" size="2"> </font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 1px; margin-bottom: 1px">
<font face="Verdana" size="2">We offer this pledge to the town of
Needham.</font></p>
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<font face="Verdana" size="2"> </font></p>
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<font face="Verdana" size="2">� I pledge from this day forward to do
my best to combat prejudice and to stop those who, because of hate
or ignorance, would hurt anyone or violate their civil rights. I
will try at all times to be aware of my own biases and seek to gain
understanding of those who I perceive as being different from
myself. I will speak out against all forms of prejudice and
discrimination. I will reach out to support those who are targets
of hate. I will think about specific ways my community members can
promote respect for people and create a prejudice-free zone. I
firmly believe that one person can make a difference and that no
person can be an �innocent� bystander when it comes to opposing
hate. I recognize that respecting individual dignity, achieving
equality and promoting inter-group harmony are the responsibilities
of all people. By singing this pledge, I commit myself to creating
a community that is <b>No Place For Hate</b>.�</font><!--mstheme--></font></td>
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<font face="Verdana" size="2">Letter to The Editor:</font></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><font face="Verdana" size="2">The Needham Human
Rights Committee supports the recent ruling of the Supreme Judicial
Court recognizing civil marriage of same sex-couples. As a Human
Rights committee, we oppose limitations on the civil rights of a
targeted group of people. We believe that the town of Needham is an
all inclusive community that will stand behind the individual rights
of all our residents. Our personal opinions do not preclude our
mission to reaffirm the worth and dignity of every human being and
to embrace and celebrate all members of our community through good
will and respect for all. </font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font face="Verdana" size="2">Our role is to
celebrate the diversity of our community in every way we can, and to
make Needham a welcoming community for all residents, including
same-sex couples and their families.</font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font face="Verdana" size="2">As Needham has
chosen to accept the "No Place for Hate" designation of the
Anti-Defamation League, we stand ready uphold the rights of all our
citizens. </font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font face="Verdana" size="2">Thank you, </font>
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<font size="2"><span style="font-family: Verdana">The </span></font>
<span style="font-family: Verdana"><font size="2">Needham Human
Rights Committee </font></span><!--mstheme--></font></td>
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