Tolland council asked to declare racism a public health crisis

Dec. 29—TOLLAND — Several residents are asking the Town Council to join 18 other municipalities in the state in declaring racism a public health crisis.

During the council's Dec. 22 virtual meeting, Council member Brenda Falusi said she received seven emails in support of the measure and of creating a proclamation.

Resident Lindsay Semerzaki spoke during the public comment portion of the meeting, saying that she believes it's important that Tolland identifies racism as a public health emergency. Not doing so would be a racist act, she added.

RACISM

WHAT: Several residents are asking town officials to declare racism a public heath crisis.

WHY: Residents say steps need to be taken at a town level where policy making is shaped education, healthcare, conservation, and public celebrations.

Semerzaki said that she works in healthcare and knows of disparities encountered by people of color — especially those diagnosed with COVID-19.

Not declaring it a public health emergency "would continue to support the racist ways that our healthcare system is run," she said.

Semerzaki also addressed Chairwoman Tammy Nuccio, asking her to step down as a member of the Town Council after her recent election to the legislature representing the 53rd House District. Holding both positions is a conflict of interest, Semerzaki said, acknowledging that while it's not against the rules, it's also not right.

Resident Luke Anderson, a Tolland High School 2016 graduate, said he's been part of the push to have people call and ask the council to address racism as a public health crisis in town.

"I think we should join the 18 towns across the state and the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nations to do so," Anderson said, pointing out that small towns, such as Colchester and larger cities, such as New London, Hartford, and Bridgeport have already done so.

"I think as a predominantly white community that has a lot of people from middle class backgrounds, we can take a very strong leadership role in addressing this crisis," Anderson continued. "I think this is the first step in embedding health equity in policy making and that we can hold ourselves accountable across sectors by doing so at the Town Council."

Anderson also said that the public health crisis of racism goes far beyond the pandemic. Issues that need to be addressed locally are found in town zoning, education, healthcare, and conservation policies, as well as public celebrations, Anderson said.

"We need to acknowledge that racism does not stop at the borders of town ... and it is an issue here," Anderson said.

For updates on the towns of Coventry and Tolland, follow Michelle France on Twitter: @MFranceReport, Facebook: Michelle France, and Instagram: @MFranceReport.

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