Human Rights Commission Returns to Newburgh

NEWBURGH – Dozens gathered Sunday for an afternoon of free expression and discussion to celebrate the first annual Human Rights Day and the re-launch of the Human Rights Commission in the City of Newburgh.

Held at the Newburgh Free Library by commission chairs Ramona Burton, Malinda Ware and City Councilwoman Karen Mejia, the event brought out much conversation from attendees on the state of human rights in the current political climate.

Organizers of the event refused to allow recording or photography of the meeting.

“I am upset with what’s going on the country,” said one woman. “What we have seen now is that you can lose rights and we need to fight to keep ours alive.”

Another point of discussion was how younger generations choose to speak out online, rather than attend an event of this stature to speak their mind on human rights issues.

“Why aren’t more people here?” asked another woman. “I find that the younger generation prefers to voice their opinions online rather than speak out here. It’s what they grew up with.”

One young woman has chosen to speak out in person through her poetry. Candace Nicholas, who goes by Kanda.Say, is a poet who volunteers in the Newburgh area and has published a book of poetry called “Life Goes On.” She read a poem from her book as well as a poem from an upcoming book.

Of the re-launch of the Human Rights Commission in Newburgh, Nicholas is both nervous and excited to see how the chair-people behind the commission will affect change in the area.

“I know that they will do all they can to make sure justice is correctly served,” she said. “But it will take time for things to go into effect. Ideas have to be discussed. I’m anxious to see what they’re up to, but I want to be a part of it either way.”

Nicholas added that the need for enforcing human rights never seems to go away.  “If you look at the news, you see that there is a clear need for human rights to be enforced by the military and the police,” she said. “We have the United Nations, but for some reason, that is not enough.”

The re-launch of the Human Rights Commission in Newburgh coincided with the 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly. It was the first public declaration recognizing human rights in this country.

In Newburgh, a chapter of the Human Rights Commission was initially established in 1991.