From the name, many may incorrectly presume this committee shares the vision of Dr. Martin Luther King, where people are judged not by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character. Similarly, many may also assume the committee shares the spirit of the Declaration of Independence, which declares all men are created equal. For committee members and participants, however, equity appears to harbor an entirely different connotation. Conventional notions of equity have become obsolete.
The Anchorage Equity Committee-of-the-Assembly, is an evolution of a committee originally formed in association with the Anchorage Health Department to help ensure equitable distribution of vaccines and pandemic response starting in February 2021. Per the Anchorage Charter, “At the invitation of two Anchorage Assembly members, the committee has re-formed as the Anchorage Equity Committee of the Assembly to work with the Anchorage Assembly to build an equitable, thriving community for all.”
Pressing priorities identified by the committee include tackling and censoring “hate speech,” establishing teeth in the municipal process, and providing housing for the homeless.
According to the committee’s Charter, “members and participants will support the committee charter and accept the definition of equity as defined [by the Charter].” The charter further stipulates, “The committee will determine public statements by consensus or a majority vote. These agreed-upon statements will be used to represent the committee’s positions on topics. Members should refrain from speaking publicly in ways that contradict public statements made by the committee.”
By these requirements, the committee appears to have established a culture for itself that reflects strict Maoist values. You can be part of the government to the extent that you agree with the government and do not publicly contradict it.
While all other assembly committees are chaired by assembly members, the Equity Committee is unique in that it is chaired by unelected community members. The committee is, however, currently mentored, advised, and chaperoned by Assembly Members Felix Rivera and Kameron Perez-Verdia. As of December 28, 2022, the committee includes new member Mara Kimmel, Anchorage’s former fist-lady, executive director of the Alaska ACLU and founding member of the Alaska institute for Justice.
Within the committee Ms. Bell has emerged as a chief advocate for censoring perceived hate speech occurring at assembly meetings.
The committee members and participants eagerly unveiled a number of revealing items during its December 28th committee meeting. Noteworthy items include the fact that the committee’s charter is apparently in a state of flux, up for review possibly as soon as January 2023, and potentially again as soon as March 2023. The fluidity of charter language and detail is possibly convenient given its dependency in establishing a close relationship with the assembly chair and vice-chair, aligning mutual priorities, and securing reliable regularly recurring funding. Together these features could be expediently convenient as the assembly prepares to make first quarter budget revisions in April 2023.
Armed with funding and an agenda, the committee will likely answer the question posed by member Candace Bell of SAGE Alaska, a group of elderly LGBTQ individuals also associated with Identity Alaska, “Where is our voice and how do we use it?”
Pressing priorities identified by the committee include tackling and censoring “hate speech,” establishing teeth in the municipal process, and providing housing for the homeless.
Within the committee Ms. Bell has emerged as a chief advocate for censoring perceived hate speech occurring at assembly meetings. Thea Agnew Bemben, Committee Co-Chair, acknowledged that Shauna Hegna, President of Koniag, submitted a written request to the Equity Committee requesting action on this matter.
ALASKA WATCHMAN DIRECT TO YOUR INBOX
Ideas for establishing a more prominent role for the committee in the municipal process potentially includes formalizing the committee’s role in review and approval of assembly initiatives by establishing procedures and policies through the Assembly’s Governance Committee. This may help the Assembly justify securing the services of a “equity analyst” in the direct employ of the Assembly.
Primary options for pursuing solutions for homelessness include the utilization of three former hotels including the municipally owned Golden Lion. The other two facilities lie within the Spenard area of Anchorage. According to Rivera, the additional non-municipally owned buildings are managed by the Anchorage Affordable Housing and Land Trust. Records available through the Alaska Department of Commerce identify former Anchorage assembly member John Weddleton as a director of the Anchorage Affordable Housing and Land Trust. The trust was incorporated in October of 2022.
Funding sources currently being eyed by the Equity Committee include the alcohol tax.
The Committee’s next meeting is scheduled for January 26, 2023. Click here for details.
The views expressed here are those of the author.
