Nutter Names New Commission On Human Relations

Mayor Nutter announced a newly reconstructed city Commission on Human Relations this morning, declaring that it will be "intolerant about intolerance here in Philadelphia."  The Commission, which enforces civil rights laws and deals with conflicts in the city, now includes: Rabbi Rebecca Alpert, Regina Austin, Fernando Chang-Muy, Tom Earle, Cynthia Figueroa, Chukri Khorchid, Nicholas Torres and Kay Kyungsun Yu.

That is eight new members for the nine-member commission.  Nutter left in place the chairman, the Rev. James Allen, saying he serves as an institutional memory for the new members and the commission's new executive director Rue Landau. "This will be the number one human rights organization in America," Nutter vowed. "That is our commitment."

While replacing nearly the entire commission, Nutter repeatedly declined to judge or grade the work of the outgoing members, who dished up controversy by considering a 2006 discrimination complaint against Geno's Steaks in South Philly, where a sign in the window urged customers to order in English.  The complaint was dismissed in March.  Nutter did not seem eager to revisit the issue, saying: "That case was decided. That case is over."