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NORWOOD: Yesterday, the Healey-Driscoll Administration convened a statewide Civil Rights Symposium for 200 law enforcement officers as part of a steadfast commitment to promoting justice, equity, and civil rights protections for all Massachusetts residents and visitors. The Executive Office of Public Safety and Security (EOPSS) and the Municipal Police Training Committee (MPTC) partnered with the Massachusetts State Police, the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts, Meta’s Civil Rights Team, and DSFG Solutions LLC, to host a one-day educational forum to deepen law enforcement’s understanding of civil rights issues and promote practices for the effective prevention, investigation, and prosecution of hate crimes.
“We all have an important role to play in protecting civil rights, particularly at a time at a time when societal divisions and political polarization have resulted in decreased civility and increased intolerance,” said Public Safety and Security Secretary Terrence Reidy. “The Healey-Driscoll Administration remains focused on developing and supporting the programs, policies, and initiatives that strengthen Massachusetts’ ability to uphold our values and embrace our differences. I’d like to thank our symposium partners and participants for their shared commitment to safeguarding our most fundamental human rights and ensuring those rights are protected, respected, and upheld.”
The civil rights training brought together legal experts, public safety professionals, community members, and private sector partners to engage in meaningful dialogue, share knowledge gleaned from various areas of expertise, and discuss strategies to advance equity and justice for all. The day-long agenda included discussions about state and federal hate crime laws, historical injustices and present policing, case studies, community impacts, hate crime investigations, data collection and analysis, and community unrest and division after critical incidents.
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The MPTC welcomed 200 attendees to the Civil Rights Symposium. A panel of experts led a full day training, including (L-R) David Bell/FBI, Cynthia Deitle/META, Daphne Felten-Green/DSFG Solutions, LLC, Emily Todisco/MA State Police HART Unit and Timothy E. Moran/United States Attorney’s Office (Photos courtesy of the MPTC) |
Representatives from the U.S. Attorney’s Office provided crucial perspectives on hate crime’s impact on communities, emphasizing the importance of proactive and compassionate policing. Meta’s Civil Rights Team gave participants valuable insights as to how their organization can enhance law enforcement investigations.
Additionally, a panel of families and survivors impacted by hate crimes shared their lived experience and detailed the devastating impact of these heinous crimes.
In 2022, EOPSS published the Hate Crime Report for Massachusetts, which recorded 440 reports of hate crime incidents statewide, up from 406 in 2021 and the highest reported since 2002. Preliminary data from 2023 showed 552 reports and 574 offenses, an increase of 25% in incidents as compared to 2022. The 2023 data indicated a 67% increase in antisemitic incidents and a 26.7% increase in anti-Gay incidents over 2022.
“This training was an invaluable opportunity for our officers to learn from legal experts, public safety professionals, community members, real-life cases and the lived experiences of those who have been directly impacted by hate crimes.” said MPTC Interim Executive Director Jeff W. Farnsworth. “Training opportunities like this focus on the importance of our ongoing effort to combat hate crimes in Massachusetts and foster a community where every individual feels safe.”
“Civil and human rights depend on the cooperation and partnership between law enforcement and the community. The Massachusetts State Police appreciates the opportunity to participate in today’s program and cultivate relationships with our local partners,” said Massachusetts State Police Interim Colonel John Mawn, Jr. “By continuously renewing and reaffirming our shared commitment to the human rights policies and professional standards, we advance our shared goal of combatting hate and bias while advancing safety and inclusion.”
“Meta is pleased to partner with local, state and federal law enforcement officers to facilitate presentations on civil rights issues and hate crimes. We want users to feel safe on our platforms and welcome opportunities to work with law enforcement on how best to engage with their communities using our products.” said Cynthia Deitle, Director, Associate General Counsel of the Civil Rights team at Meta.
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Daphne Felten-Green, JD, the Founder and President of DSFG Solutions, LLC presented about Restorative Justice during the symposium. (Photos courtesy of the MPTC) |
"We are pleased to partner with our colleagues at Meta to facilitate this important training; particularly by amplifying the voices of survivors impacted by hate crimes and by emphasizing the critical role that law enforcement has in response, reporting and prevention." said Daphne Felten-Green, JD, the Founder and President of DSFG Solutions, LLC,
Today’s symposium builds upon the many initiatives put forward by the Healey-Driscoll Administration to ensure Massachusetts can embrace its diversity, live up to its principles, and combat incidents of hate, including:
Hate Crimes Awareness and Response Team (HART): In November 2023, Massachusetts State Police launched HART to reinforce the statewide response to hate crimes and hate-based incidents.
Grants to Prevent Hate Crimes and Terror Attacks: Since taking office, the Healey-Driscoll Administration has awarded over $15.5 Million in state and federal grant funds to help enhance security for nonprofits that are at high risk of a hate crime or extremist attack, including faith-based organizations, health care providers, cultural venues and other nonprofits. The grant programs are administered by the Office of Grants and Research (OGR), which provides ongoing grant reporting and management support to award recipients throughout the life of the grant. OGR expects to make additional grant funding available later this year to support nonprofit security initiatives.
Faith-Based Organizations Safety and Security Seminar: In November 2024, the Massachusetts State Police Fusion Center hosted its sixth annual security summit for faith-based organizations at Gillette Stadium in December 2023, bringing together public safety and security officials with faith leaders to promote safety in houses of worship and other facilities.
Legislative Task Force on Hate Crimes: The Task Force , co-chaired by Secretary Reidy and President of Kraft Family Philanthropies Josh Kraft, continues advising the administration on issues relating to the prevalence, deterrence, and prevention of hate crimes.
Media Contact: Kayla Rosario-Muñoz, Kayla.Rosario-Munoz@mass.gov
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