Needham's Human Rights Committee will discuss sponsoring a Trans Day of Remembrance vigil and announce an immigration forum when it meets Thursday, Oct. 29, according to the committee's posted agenda.

The agenda lists two upcoming community events. The first is a Nov. 20 Needham Trans Day of Remembrance Vigil, coordinated by Rev. Catie Scudera of First Parish. The committee is listed as a sponsor and has co-sponsored the event in past years. Additional details, including the venue and time, have not yet been announced.

The second event is an "Immigration Update and Opportunities" program scheduled for Monday, Nov. 16, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Congregational Church of Needham, 1154 Great Plain Ave. Topics will include the current status of immigration policies and procedures, the Metrowest Worker Center-Casa's support for immigrants and how to get involved as a volunteer. The Needham Diversity Initiative and the Needham Area Immigration Justice Task Force are sponsoring the program, which was rescheduled from September.

The Oct. 29 meeting runs from 7:30 to 9 p.m. in hybrid format at the Great Plain Room in Needham Town Hall, 1471 Highland Ave. Residents can also join by Zoom using meeting ID 849 4548 3171 and passcode 995959.

The agenda also includes a discrimination complaint item and a discussion of new member onboarding. The committee, a 12-member board, had four vacancies as of early October. In coverage published Oct. 14, Needham Local reported that Chair Tina Burgos urged the Select Board to fill those seats, saying the committee had not met quorum since June.

"Most frustrating, however, is that we have received a citizen's discrimination complaint that should have been addressed immediately," Burgos said at the Oct. 13 Select Board meeting, according to Needham Local. "Our discussion of that complaint is still pending."

That complaint appears again on the Oct. 29 agenda. Whether the committee has since achieved quorum to act on it is not clear from public records.

The committee's next regular meeting after Oct. 29 is scheduled for Nov. 19 in the Highland Room at Town Hall.

Upcoming community events

  • Nov. 16: "Immigration Update and Opportunities," 7–8:30 p.m., Congregational Church of Needham, 1154 Great Plain Ave.
  • Nov. 20: Needham Trans Day of Remembrance Vigil (details forthcoming)