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The Community Relations
Service is the Department's
"peacemaker" for community conflicts and tensions arising from differences
of race, color, and national origin. Created by the Civil Rights Act
of 1964, CRS is the only Federal agency dedicated to assist State and
local units of government, private and public organizations, and community
groups with preventing and resolving racial and ethnic tensions, incidents,
and civil disorders, and in restoring racial stability and harmony.
CRS facilitates the development of viable, mutual understandings and
agreements as alternatives to coercion, violence, or litigation. It
also assists communities in developing local mechanisms, conducting
training, and other proactive measures to prevent or reduce racial/ethnic
tension. CRS does not take sides among disputing parties and, in promoting
the principles and ideals of non-discrimination, applies skills that
allow parties to come to their own agreement. In performing this mission,
CRS deploys highly skilled professional conciliators, who are able to
assist people of diverse racial and cultural backgrounds. |
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On April 3, 2009 an exhibit commemorating the work done by the Department of Justice Community Relations Service to reduce racial tension and violence during the civil rights movement was unveiled at the National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis, Tennessee. The exhibit features a video presentation that explains the mission of the Community Relations Service and provides a first-hand account of the challenges faced by retired staff members who mediated many of the well known marches and demonstrations of that era.
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CRS Unveils Exhibit at the National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis, TN - Remarks from National Director Ondray Harris
April 3, 2009
Remarks as Prepared for Delivery by Community Relations Service Director Ondray Harris at the Department of Justice African American History Month Program
February 18, 2009
Good morning, I want to thank you, Attorney General Holder, for your inspiring words on such an important topic and for sharing your personal history with us. Welcome back to the Department of Justice. I am pleased to provide the closing remarks on behalf of the Community Relations Service (also known as CRS) here today.
Full Remarks
CRS Facilitates Community Dialogue in Cortlandt, New York
On December 17, 2007, CRS facilitated a dialogue between law enforcement officials, school district officials, city officials, and multi-cultural community leaders in Cortlandt, New York. The dialogue is being held in response to community and racial tensions following reports that a wooden cross was discovered burning on the front lawn of an African American family.
CRS Facilitates Mediation Agreement Between the Charlottesville,
Virginia Police Department and University of Virginia NAACP Chapter
On November 20, 2007, the Charlottesville, Virginia Police Department
and the University of Virginia Chapter of the National Association
for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) signed a mediation
agreement to improve relations between the police department and
minority students at the University. The parties agreed to establish
communication between the police assigned to patrol functions, especially
areas adjacent to the University, and minority students and greater
sharing of information with students concerning crime. The parties
also agreed to develop opportunities for students of colors to participate
in unpaid internships with the police department to learn more about
law enforcement. In addition, new students should receive a public
safety orientation from the police department.
More
Recent Activities . . .
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On Common Ground - Law Enforcement Training Video on Sikhism
"On Common Ground serves as a valuable tool in educating law enforcement officials, airport personnel, and various communities across the United States on the cultural and religious practices associated with Sikhism. Awareness of cultural and religious observations, including those of Sikhism, can help avoid misunderstanding and tension. Towards this goal, On Common Ground can assist the public in understanding the challenges and realizing the contributions of the Sikh community in the United States. Former CRS Director Sharee Freeman, the Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund (SALDEF), and other local, state, and federal agencies are to be commended for their extraordinary efforts in making On Common Ground possible."
— Director Ondray T. Harris
"The First Three to Five Seconds" - Law Enforcement
Roll Call Training Video on Arab and Muslim Cultural Awareness
You will need the Macromedia Flash Player 7 in order to view
the videos, for more information please contact your helpdesk
or review the following link for more information:
http://www.macromedia.com/shockwave/download/download.cgi?P1_Prod_Version=ShockwaveFlash
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