Published in the June 16, 2017 edition
MELROSE — Mayor Dolan, the Melrose Human Rights Commission, Melrose Organizes for Real Equality (MORE), the Melrose High School Visual Arts Department, and Melrose Arts announce a contest for a new “Melrose: One Community Open to All” logo to be used to express unity, support and pride in our shared community.
The new logo, along with the original slogan, will be used on stickers, bumper stickers, magnets and window decals, which will be made available to Melrose residents and local businesses.
The details of the competition are as follows:
• The artwork may have a maximum of two colors, be on a white background, and must fit into a 5” x 5” square;
• The contest is open to all Melrose residents of all ages;
• Submissions should be made via email to mayorsoffice@cityofmelrose.org or can be dropped at the Mayor’s office;
• All submissions are due by July 30;
• All entries will be reviewed and judged by a three-person committee;
• The judges will announce their decision in August;
• All entries will be displayed in City Hall;
• The first stickers will be available at the Victorian Fair on September 10.
“This sentiment has been our unofficial motto for 25 years, and even during the debate on becoming a Sanctuary City, it was something everyone could agree on,” said Dolan. “I hope that when you come into Melrose and see all the stickers on cars and buildings, it will make an overwhelming impression.”
“There is nothing like walking down the street and seeing the ‘Hate has no home here’ signs, knowing what that says about the community,” said Human Rights Commission chair Adam LaFrance. “That’s what these do: It’s tangible, it’s personal, and it’s something you are aware of in those quiet moments when you are walking through town, whether it’s on a business or a side street.”
“I am a member of Melrose Organizes for Real Equality, known as MORE, and we are thrilled to be co-sponsoring this contest,” said Naima Ahrabar. “We believe in building relationships with our neighbors and that everyone is welcome in this city that we all love, and love to call home.”
“The original ‘Melrose One Community Open to All’ stickers were some of the first things we saw when we were looking at buying a house almost 20 years ago,” said MORE member Sandy Dixon, “and it was one of the things that drew us to Melrose. We think it’s time to see these in our city again.”
The original blue and white “Melrose: One Community Open to All” bumper sticker was produced by Melrose resident David Simko, who was a community member of the Human Rights Commission’s Education and Community Outreach Committee. The Human Rights Commission was formed in 1992 in response to an earlier hate incident, and hate crimes went up in the summer of 1993. At that time, numerous members of the community spoke out to counter this image of Melrose, and the Commission sponsored a human rights declaration signed by over 1,000 Melrosians, public service announcements on local TV, and several public events to promote equality and harmony.
This is a perfect time to revitalize this initiative and refresh the logo, sending the message that now, more than ever, Melrose is a welcoming community.
