Hate Crimes Program

DANBURY — “Stop Hate Crimes,” a lecture on “Perspectives on Hate Crimes from the Front,” will be presented Wednesday, November 15, from 6 pm to 7:30 pm in the President’s Room 218 at Western Connecticut State University’s Westside Campus.

The Greater Danbury Coalition for a Community United is sponsoring the public event in collaboration with the Office of Minority Affairs, Justice, and Law Administration Association at Western.

Dr Steven C. Sheinberg, associate director of the Connecticut Regional Office of the Anti-Defamation League, will present the program. A response panel of clergy and local public leaders will follow.

 Jeff Wiggins, a New Fairfield resident and a member of the NF Board of Education and Coalition vice president, will share a personal story as a hate crime victim, and discuss the need for programs to fight hate.

The Rev Mary Lou Howson, a Newtown resident and senior minister of the Danbury First Congregational Church, will represent the Rapid Response Network, a coalition of churches that has developed a process to respond to hate crimes as they occur.

A representative of the Western Justice and Law Administration Association will complete the response panel.

Dr Sheinberg is responsible for implementing ADL’s policies and programs, including helping communities and individuals affected by hate and prejudice, managing the office’s civil rights program, handling media inquiries, interfacing with law enforcement agencies, monitoring extremist activity in Connecticut.

The coalition is a not-for-profit organization open to all and governed by a board of directors that represents agencies and individuals working to combat hate, prejudice, and stereotyping while promoting harmony, understanding, and civility in the Greater Danbury area.

Refreshments will follow the program presentation. For more information, call the coalition president, Barry Finch, at 203/438-6575.