Highlights of Numerous Projects in 2006
- Annual conference theme for 2006 was “Huddled Masses, Hard Choices:
The Human Rights Challenge of Immigration.”
- Hosted first “Evening Prior” event before the Annual Conference for
Minnesota Human Rights Commissioners and their guests.
- Increased communication through more newsletters.
- Began building a database of mailing and email addresses of all human
rights commissioners in Minnesota.
- League maintained a website link with the Human Rights Center.
- LMHRC board members participated in a training session with the Mille
Lacs Area Human Rights Commissioners on May 25th.
- LMHRC board members made presentations to assist the city of
Montgomery in organizing a Human Rights Commission.
- Mort Ryweck visited Commissions in Waseca, St. Peter, Olmsted County
and Crow Wing County on behalf of the League. Suggestions for program
planning were offered.
- League members provided informal idea exchanges on human rights
issues by phone, mailings and personal appearances at Commission
meetings.
- Supplied information on REHaB (Reducing and Eliminating Hate Behavior)
program to individuals and groups.
- Continued doing workshops with the theme “Fostering Police-Community
Relations Understanding.” Example: Training session in Northfield on June
29.
- Continued support of “This Is My Home” Human Rights Education project
that was developed by the University of Minnesota Human Rights
Resource Center in cooperation with the Minnesota Department of Human
Rights. The League advertised and promoted the
www.thisismyhome.org
web site.
- Participated in a Strategic Planning workshop at St. Thomas University.
- An eighth annual Essay Contest was conducted with award ceremonies in
Brooklyn Park.
- A new Essay topic was distributed for the 2007 contest:
Reflect on what you have learned about immigration to United States:
- Contributions of immigrants to the USA in years past and today
- Treatment/mistreatment of immigrants past and present
- Historical background of responses to immigrants (laws & policies)
- Your own experiences
Write your thoughts on all or some of these questions:
Do!people have a human right to live wherever they choose on this
earth? Why or why not? What recommendations do you have regarding
the current controversy surrounding immigration to the United States?
Include thoughts on:
How should the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the Bill of Rights
and the Minnesota Human Rights Act effect Immigration Policies?
- Responded to hate crimes and hate incidents giving assistance to local
commissions and communities. Example: Vandalism of Hindu Temple in
Maple Grove.
- Presented three human rights awards:
Wally Ripplinger and John Varone from Chaska and Nikki Enerson from
Marshall.
- League members will make two presentations at the Minnesota Human
Rights Department Annual Event December 1.
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