Human Rights Day speaker praises Chattanooga's unity in wake of July 16 attack

Eastdale Village Community United Methodist Church hosts celebration Saturday

U.S. Navy sailors "man the rail" at a memorial service at Ross's Landing for the 5 servicemen killed in last July's attack on two area military facilities on Saturday, July 16, 2016, in Chattanooga, Tenn. Saturday marked one year since the attack by a lone gunman at a Lee Highway military recruiting center and the Naval Operational Support Center and Marine Corps Reserve Center off of Amnicola Highway.
U.S. Navy sailors "man the rail" at a memorial service at Ross's Landing for the 5 servicemen killed in last July's attack on two area military facilities on Saturday, July 16, 2016, in Chattanooga, Tenn. Saturday marked one year since the attack by a lone gunman at a Lee Highway military recruiting center and the Naval Operational Support Center and Marine Corps Reserve Center off of Amnicola Highway.

If you go:

What: Human Rights Day celebrationWhen: 10 a.m. SaturdayWhere: Eastdale Village Community United Methodist Church at 1403 Tunnel Blvd.

Chattanooga could have been a city torn apart by religious and cultural differences when a Muslim man fatally shot five military servicemen in 2015. But instead of division, people of all faiths united to support the families of the men killed.

The city's response showcased how a community reacts when it understands that all people are connected by their humanity, said Beverly L. Watts, executive director of the Tennessee Human Rights Commission.

"Chattanooga is a great example of a city coming together," Watts said. "Muslims, Christians, the Jewish community all came together, not only to mourn but to support and rebuild the families who suffered tragedy."

Watts will be the keynote speaker in recognition of Human Rights Day at 10 a.m. Saturday at Eastdale Village Community United Methodist Church.

The event will also include local speakers Jerry Redman of Second Life Chattanooga, who will give a report on human trafficking; Pastor Charlotte S.N.N. Williams, who will discuss prisoner and inmate rights; and Felipe Lara of Chattanooga Organized for Action, who will discuss fair housing rights.

"The issues discussed on Saturday shouldn't just be addressed, but fought for," said Williams, pastor of Eastdale Village. "So many atrocities have occurred that injustice has become normal and we are desensitized. We not only have to bring awareness, but rekindle the fire to fight."

According to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights established in 1948 by the United Nations General Assembly: "All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood."

It also states that everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person, and that no one should be held in slavery or servitude; slavery and the slave trade shall be prohibited in all their forms.

COA board member Lara wants the city to acknowledge affordable housing as a human right.

"In Chattanooga, there is a 20,000-unit deficit of fair housing," he said. "Housing should be a right, [but it is one] that not many of us have. That's why we want to talk about it and make it known."

Eric A. Atkins, co-chairman of the event with Williams, said, "Human rights issues should be on everybody's radar. We all share the common root of humanity. We are all interconnected in a common web of mutuality."

Contact staff writer Yolanda Putman at yputman@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6431.

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