Naacp Forms Ask People To Challenge Discrimination Complaint Reports Distributed At Colleges, Community Centers

In an effort to give people another way to report civil rights violations, the local chapter of the NAACP has been circulating discrimination complaint forms to Spokane colleges and community centers.

The idea is to encourage people to challenge what they perceive as unfair treatment, rather than let it go, NAACP leaders said.

Two months ago, Eileen Thomas, president of the local chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, had the complaint form redesigned and distributed.

“We put them at places where there are young folks and old folks,” Thomas said.

About 300 have been distributed to date. About a dozen have come back filled out.

“The biggest complaints are with the Police Department and the prison system - the judicial system as a whole,” said Linda Wilson, co-chairwoman of the NAACP legal redress committee. One form complains about shabby treatment on an airline. On others, some area prisoners complained they couldn’t get African-American hair-care products.

Complaints are documented and some are investigated locally by committee members who try to obtain both sides of the story. The solid complaints are reviewed by an attorney and could lead to legal action. All the recent complaints are still being evaluated.

The information also is sent to the national NAACP office.

“I’m impressed that people are showing courage, coming forth and filling out these forms and not taking unfair treatment,” Wilson said.

Thomas has long contended that Spokane police unfairly target minorities for arrests. Former Police Chief Alan Chertok attended NAACP meetings to hear those concerns. Interim chief Roger Bragdon also has attended meetings since June.

Bragdon said he’s offered suggestions in the meetings, such as encouraging NAACP staff to investigate complaints quickly so that memories of events are fresh. He said he’s also spoken up and corrected allegations based on half-truths.

The meetings have been helpful, he said.

“The Police Department is now evaluating some of our data-collection processes,” Bragdon said. “I’m willing to work with the NAACP.”

Bragdon said any extra information provided by the NAACP will be welcomed and helpful. He has a meeting set with local NAACP leaders.

“We are going to discuss those issues,” Bragdon said. “One of the main issues is the stopping of suspicious persons and if we are stopping more minorities than we should be.”

Thomas said a record of complaints may reveal patterns of discrimination. She said police are in denial about unfair treatment of minorities.

“We have been told over and over again that it doesn’t happen by the Police Department,” Thomas said.

All local NAACP chapters are asked to collect complaint forms and forward the information to Baltimore.

Complaint forms have always been available from the local NAACP chapter, but Thomas is pushing for a higher profile.

She also wants people to file complaints with other agencies, such as the Human Rights Commission and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

FAST FACTS WHERE TO FIND FORMS NAACP complaint forms have been distributed to student service offices at all Spokane colleges and universities and in the lobbies of community centers. Forms can be requested by calling 323-6368 or 532-0911.