HR Commission Says Race-Baiting Flyers Were Legal

by KYW's John Ostapkovich

The Philadelphia Human Relations Commission has determined the group that posted race-baiting flyers in several parts of the city probably broke no laws.  But the Commission has some advice for people dealing with such offensive materials. (see related story)

The Human Relations Commission's list of do's and don'ts begins, perhaps surprisingly, with don't throw the offensive material out.  Save it for the proper authorities.

Nick Taliaferro, the Commission's executive director, says if someone is posting or passing out offensive material, call police if need be, but usually don't start a confrontation yourself:

"But if you just see them on the street, the best thing to do, most times, is to go to an agency that has an organized instruction manner of confronting them and dealing with them and addressing them and then to talk to people who share your concerns and to find ways to positively counter-act what you're seeing in their literature."

Taliaferro says that's a way to de-emphasize the negative and boost the positive.