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Systemic Racism Review Committee holds organizing meeting

Published 10:30 pm Wednesday, March 31, 2021

By Dana Zigmund Juneau Empire

Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File Hundreds gathered at Marine Park in downtown Juneau on June 7, 2020, for a rally and march calling for an end to police violence and systemic racism in America. On Thursday, Juneau’s newly formed Systemic Racism Review Committee held its first meeting.
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Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File

Hundreds gathered at Marine Park in downtown Juneau on June 7, 2020, for a rally and march calling for an end to police violence and systemic racism in America. On Thursday, Juneau’s newly formed Systemic Racism Review Committee held its first meeting.

Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File Hundreds gathered at Marine Park in downtown Juneau on June 7, 2020, for a rally and march calling for an end to police violence and systemic racism in America. On Thursday, Juneau’s newly formed Systemic Racism Review Committee held its first meeting.
Hundreds gathered at Marine Park in downtown Juneau on June 7, 2020, for a rally and march calling for an end to police violence and systemic racism in America. On Thursday, Juneau's newly formed Systemic Racism Review Committee held its first meeting. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

The City and Borough of Juneau’s new Systemic Racism Review Committee held its kick-off meeting Thursday via Zoom.

City officials thanked committee members and outlined the work ahead.

“The assembly is very excited. We appreciate your work and efforts and are excited to see what you come up with,” Mayor Beth Weldon told the committee.

CBJ’s municipal attorney Robert Palmer shared scope and process information. He explained that the committee’s next task is to establish criteria for reviewing new ordinances and resolutions for issues that could indicate systemic racism.

When the committee identifies issues, they will discuss options for curing potential problems, Palmer explained. He said the city’s legal team would assist the committee’s review.

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The committee expects to begin reviewing new legislation on July 1.

Committee members elected Lisa X’unyéil Worl chair and Grace Lee vice-chair, in their first official act. Additional members include Dominic Branson, Carla Casulucan, Gail Dabaluz, Kelli Patterson and David Russell-Jensen.

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“Thank you for volunteering for this municipal effort,” said Rorie Watt, CBJ city manager. “I’m really interested to see what the committee does, what your take is, and what your recommendations are. We appreciate you putting yourself forward to do important work for our citizens.”

•Contact reporter Dana Zigmund at dana.zigmund@juneauempire.com or 907-308-4891.

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