Highlights of Numerous Projects in 2007
- Annual conference theme for 2007 was “Human Rights, Civil Rights, Treaty
Rights: Minnesota Challenges.”
- Hosted second “Evening Prior” event before the Annual Conference for
Minnesota Human Rights Commissioners and their guests.
- Increased communication through expanded mailing lists.
- Updated League information on League and MDHR websites.
- 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 Forest Lake School District representative.
- Continued doing workshops with the theme “Fostering Police-Community
Relations Understanding.” Example: Training session in Grand Rapids.
- 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.
- The ninth annual Essay Contest was conducted with award ceremonies at
the Hopkins Art Center.
- A new Essay topic was distributed for the 2008 contest:
- Participated with other groups in promoting the MDHR poster contest.
- In partnership with the MDHR received a grant of $130,000 from the Otto
Bremer Foundation over a three year period to provide local human rights
commissions with technical assistance to develop and implement civic
engagement and social justice educational activities. Mini-grants will be
awarded to local commissions who are members of the League, at a maximum
of $1,500 per event. The mini-grants will be awarded for the development of
local commissions in the areas of capacity building, education and seminars,
outreach, networking within the local commission’s jurisdictional area, and
youth involvement.
- The LMHRC sent letters regarding the Immigration and Customs
Enforcement raids calling upon the U.S. government to uphold, protect and
fully respect the human rights of all immigrants and refugees.
- Signed a petition to President Bush and members of Congress requesting
the enactment of “workable comprehensive immigration reform this year.”
- When it was reported that an 11-year-old crime victim in Mille Lacs had been
brought to court in shackles and a jail jumpsuit, the League offered support
to the boy and his family.
- The League sent letters to editors of several newspapers in response to the
comments by a St. Louis County public official who said that he would vote in
favor of slavery if that is what his constituents wanted.
- The Board of Directors Retreat was held at the Science Museum, St. Paul in
March. The group toured the exhibit about understanding race and human
variation and participated in a Talking Circles discussion.
- The League presented four human rights awards for individuals and one for
an institution.
- League members will make presentations at the Minnesota Human Rights
Department Annual Event December 7.
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