Onondaga County/Syracuse Commission on Human Rights
John H. Mulroy Civic Center
15th Floor East
421 Montgomery Street
Syracuse, NY 13202
(315) 435-3565
Our office is staffed from
8 am to 4 pm. Mon - Fri.
Human Rights Commission
Events & Activities
On Sunday Dec. 10, 2017, the Human Rights Commission held an event in recogition of International Human Rights Day and the adoption of the International Declaration of Human Rights. The local event, entitled "Human Rights. Everyone. Always" was inspired by a quote from former First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt. Mrs. Roosevelt was the Chairperson of the UN Committee that wrote the Declaration in 1949.
"Where, after all, do universal human rights begin?
In small places, close to home -- so close and so small
that they cannot be seen on any maps of the world. [...] Unless these rights have meaning there, they have little
meaning anywhere. Without concerted citizen action
to uphold them close to home, we shall look in vain
for progress in the larger world." - Eleanor Roosevelt
Mrs. Eleanor Roosevelt, chair of the drafting committee, holding a Universal Declaration poster. (1949)
Bruce Sexton watching Abdul
Saboor speak at the podium
during the event
The event was co-sponsored by, and held at, All Saint's Church. There were 3 speakers: Professor Paula Johnson of the SU College of Law & Mr. Bruce Sexton, a law student and Disability Rights Advocate & Mr. Abdul Saboor, a respresentative and advocate for refugees who is on staff of the Interfaith Works Center for New Americans. The event was moderated by Human Rights Commission Executive Director Barrie Gewanter.
To read short bios of the three speakers click here.
For a report about this event on WAER-FM website click here.
To listen to a recording of Ms. Gewanter's remarks press
the play button below.
Click the image above for acopy
of the text of the Declaration
To listen to a recording of Professor Johnson's remarks press
the play button below.
To listen to a recording of Mr. Sexton's remarks press
the play button below.
To listen to a recording of Mr. Saboor's remarks press
the play button below.
Human Rights Commissioners and Staff Participated in Outreach Events in Syracuse in 2017
Barrie Gewanter, Commissioner Mary Alice Smothers and Bridget Owens and a SCSD Public Services Leadership Academy (PLSA) Student at the annual Law Day event
Commissioners Joyce Suslovic, Mary Alice Smothers and Bruce Carter at the January 2017 Dr. Martin Luther King Day Community Event at Nottingham High School
Barrie Gewanter, Bridget Owens, and Monica Bacote Participated in the
2016 Celebration of the Anniversary of the American's with Disabilities Act (ADA)
Barrie & Syracuse City ADA Coordinator Ocesa Keaton Hold Joint Proclamation
July 26, 2016
Monica & Bridget Carry Human Rights Banner at the Start of the ADA Parade
July 26, 2016
3 Marchers Hold ADA Banner
at the Start of the ADA Parade
July 26, 2016
Director Barrie Gewanter & Human Rights Specialist Bridget Owens Participated in Outreach Eveents and Information Fairs in 2016
Bridget Owens at our tablewith a Syracuse high school student at the Law Day Event at Fowler High School
April 8, 2016
Barrie Gewanter at our outreach table at Senator Valesky's Community Info. Fair at Southwest Community Center
June 23, 2016
Barrie Gewanter with Health Deparment Staffer Paula Bradshaw at our outreach table during Pride Day at the 2016 NY State Fair
Director Barrie Gewanter attended 2016 Karen Community Celebration in Syracuse
On Jan 9, 2016 Human Rights Director Barrie Gewanter participated in a celebration of the New Year with 100's of members of the Karen Community from Syracuse, Albany, Rochester, Buffalo and Ithaca. They gathered together at Heninger High School in Syracuse for a joyful day that included speeches, songs and presentations from Karen Community cultural and organizational leaders and Karen youth, as well as delicious Karen food and Karen youth dance troupes from each city.
The Karen people are an ethnic minority group from the country of Myanmar (Burma) where they have suffered many years of horrific violence and political and cultural oppression. The United States has made a commitment to accept Karen refugees. Over the last 10 years 37,000 Karen refugees have settled in NY State. Only Texas and California have more Karen residents. In 2010 there were 3,000 Karen in Syracuse & Ithaca, 500 in Rochester, 3500 in Utica/Rome and 2500 in Buffalo. (From a March 2010 presentation at a Professional Development Fair in the Albany School District (http://steinhardt.nyu.edu/scmsAdmin/ uploads/005/650/3-27,_Albany%20-%20Presentation.pdf) A website describing the Karen states that they "are known for their colorful traditional clothes and for their energetic and jubilant festival dances. Foremost, the Karens are known for their hospitality and friendliness which they readily extend to everyone." (www.karencommunity.org). All this was very evident at the New Year celebration in Syracuse.
