We are HEAR

In San Gabriel Valley, the HEAR Commission is the first of its kind. It is as an advisory body to the City Council. The HEAR Commission's purpose is to advance and advocate for equity, access, diversity, social justice, safety, mutual appreciation, increased cultural competency, positive inter-group relations, and respect for all members of the San Gabriel community. 

Created in 2020 in the wake of a student-led march to raise awareness about race relations in the wake of the George Floyd killing, a group of community members met to talk about how they could create a positive space for the city to promote a more equitable, inclusive and respectful community for everyone. Scroll down to learn more about the history of HEAR Commission's creation and the San Gabriel City Council support for the Commission.

In 2020, Councilmember Jason Pu drafted Ordinance No 670.  It was supported on first reading by Liao, Ding, Pu, Liao, Menchaca, on first reading, and Ding, Harrington, Pu, Liao, and Menchaca on second reading. The ordinance was signed into law by Mayor Denise Menchaca on October 20, 2020. 

ORDINANCE NO. 670 

AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN GABRIEL, CALIFORNIA, ESTABLISHING THE HUMAN EQUITY, ACCESS AND RELATIONS (HEAR) COMMISSION AND CODIFYING THE SAME UNDER CHAPTER 33 (COMMISSIONS) OF TITLE III (ADMINISTRATION) OF THE SAN GABRIEL MUNICIPAL CODE 

WHEREAS, in the wake of the social justice and racial equity movement that occurred during the summer of 2020, the City Council of the City of San Gabriel (“City”) adopted Resolution No. 20-31 and committed to an ongoing process of self-reflection, examination, active listening and engagement with the community to review the City’s current policies and practices to ensure the fair, even and equal administration and enforcement of its laws; to eliminate racism and discrimination based on race, color, ethnicity, ancestry, national origin or other protected status in the City’s policies and practices; to hold the entire organization accountable to these standards, and to adopt reforms necessary to do so; and 

WHEREAS, the City met with a diverse cross-section of community members including community advocates, business owners, interfaith leaders, representatives of the San Gabriel Police Department and the City’s Executive Team; and 

WHEREAS, as a result of this engagement process, the City Council now wishes to create a new advisory commission to be called the Human Equity, Access and Relations Commission (the “HEAR Commission”) that would report to the City Council; advance the City’s commitments as stated in the first recital above; and address issues of equity, diversity, social justice, safety, mutual appreciation and respect on an ongoing basis. NOW, 

THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN GABRIEL DOES HEREBY ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS: 

SECTION 1. Chapter 33 (Commissions) of Title III (Administration) of the San Gabriel Municipal Code is hereby amended to add new sections 33.50 through 33.57 which shall appear under the heading “Human, Equity, Access and Relations (HEAR) Commission” and which shall read as follows: “HEAR Commission 

33.50. CREATED. 

There is hereby created a Human, Equity, Access and Relations (HEAR) Commission for the City, consisting of seven members, to be known as HEAR Commissioners, who shall serve without compensation. 

33.51. PURPOSE AND SCOPE. 

A. Purpose. The purpose of the HEAR Commission is to advance and advocate for equity, access, diversity, social justice, safety, mutual appreciation, increased cultural competency, positive inter-group relations and respect for all members of the San Gabriel community (the “Purpose”). 

B. Scope. The HEAR Commission shall serve as an advisory body to the City Council and report directly to the City Council to assess and recommend policies, procedures and activities in the City government to advance the Commission’s purpose. It is not intended for the HEAR Commission to be a quasi-judicial body, an oversight board nor a body whose primary function is to receive or investigate individual incidents or complaints. The HEAR Commission may request and obtain information with respect to individual incidents or complaints, but only to the extent necessary to make policy, procedure or activity recommendations to the City Council. 

Full text here: Ord-No-670---HEAR-Commission (sangabrielcity.com) 

In less than 4 years, the HEAR Commission has accomplished so much:

• Creating and hosting two Mental Wellness Expos

• Working on an event for AAPI Heritage/Mental Health Awareness Month in May 2024

• Conducting a community engagement survey to determine what issues are important to the residents of San Gabriel

• Uplifting the Native American community through City proclamations, an educational video and Land Acknowledgement Statement

• Activating the City's first mandatory implicit bias training for all City employees

• Creating the infrastructure and recruiting the first two Youth Ambassadors to any City Commission

• Amplifying the need for translation services for City functions to increase inclusiveness for API and Latino residents

• Securing grant funding for HEAR Commission activities

• Calling for transparency from the Police Department regarding RIPA (Racial and Identity Profiling Act) data

• Offering speakers and resources at HEAR Commission meetings, addressing topics such as environmental justice, appreciation for the differently abled, information about voting, solutions for affordable housing and support for families of children with special needs

In the months and years to come, what issues will we need the HEAR Commission to help us with? 

Protecting against anti-Asian hate? Speaking up for immigrants? Creating safe spaces for LGBTQIA community members? Recognizing San Gabriel's rich history from its Native origins to a city of many immigrant stories? 

We hope you will share your ideas and join us in supporting HEAR Commission efforts to promote community cohesion and respect.