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Huntington Woods Postpones Meeting w/Anti-Racism Plan Due to “Zoom Bombing”
(Crystal A. Proxmire, Oct. 6, 2020)
Huntington Woods, MI – As the Huntington Woods City Commission met online via Zoom to discuss the city’s Anti-Racism plan Tuesday evening, the meeting was interrupted by messages of hate that caused the governing body to adjourn and reschedule.
City Manager Amy Sullivan confirmed that the meeting was “zoom bombed,” and the City has posted the cancellation on their website and Facebook page.
“The police are looking into identifying the hackers.  The hackers posted and spoke anti-Semitic and racist messages,” Sullivan told Oakland County Times.
The proposed Anti-Racism plan “is a framework that provides Huntington Woods a pathway to better understand systemic racism, examine its relationship to our community, and implement actions and or adjust local policies to counter it,” according to the City of Huntington Woods website.  It lists three distinct approaches:
1 -Continuous Learning and Examination: A commitment to continuous learning and examination.
2 – Implement Actions and/or Adjust Policy: Identify opportunities for and implement anti-racist initiatives and actions.
3 – Measure and Evaluate Results: Measure, evaluate and modify efforts and results on an ongoing basis using SMART metrics (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, Time-bound).
The Commission was scheduled to vote on the draft of the plan Tuesday evening.  The new meeting date will be posted on the City’s website when it is scheduled.
Huntington Woods Mayor Bob Paul said in an email to Oakland County Times, “We apologize for the technical issues caused by the hackers (Zoom Bombers) to tonight’s meeting and will take the necessary steps to make sure this can be quickly handled if they try again. We’re sure this does not represent the values and opinions of the residents of Huntington Woods.”
Also on the agenda were other items of City business including the consideration of a contract for concrete repairs, a resolution in support of the Oakland County Parks ballot proposal,  a proclamation in memory of  beloved Huntington Woods resident John Jacobs, a work permit and more.
The meeting has been rescheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 14 at 7:30pm, via Zoom.
For more on the proclamation and other City business visit their website https://www.hwmi.org/.
This story is a work in progress and will be updated as more information becomes available.