Wayland HRDEI Committee finalizes statement on Israel-Gaza conflict

WAYLAND -- October 17, 2023, Wayland's Human Rights, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee drafted a statement on the Israel-Gaza war calling on residents to "speak out against dehumanization, polarization and hatred, including Islamophobia and anti-Semitism." The Oct. 17 remote meeting ran more than an hour past schedule on the single agenda item, with members Karen and Yamini authorized to finalize wording and post it to the town website. Student members Unji and Kanmani described tension at Wayland High School, with Unji saying friendships had been "brought apart." Member Yavu urged a narrowly local focus, saying the committee should help residents "live harmonically," while member Marianne pushed to foreground the violence overseas: "What we're experiencing is only a tiny piece of what they're experiencing." The draft directs residents to call Wayland police at 508-358-4721 or the state's Hate Now hotline. The Sept. 19 minutes were approved with one abstention.