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Human Rights Commission
Human Rights statement in support of the plea for racial and social justice in the United States
We stand in solidarity with all people seeking social justice, especially racial justice with the Black and African American communities. We are at a historic moment in the pursuit of justice, fairness and equity for all people and we must seize this moment and work even harder towards changes in all institutions. Being silent is not an option and we actively want to add our voices to this ongoing plea for change.
The murder of George Floyd, as we know, is not an isolated tragic loss but one embedded in a long history of inequality, different access to opportunities, lack of fair housing, discriminatory lending practices and disproportionate access to health care; injustices that started during slavery in the United States. We see this unfair treatment and lack of access happening in the State of Minnesota as well as all over the country and the world.
Our hope and our work as a City of Northfield Commission is to do everything in our power to elevate the concerns and voices of those who for so long have been silenced, oppressed, and ignored.
-Northfield Human Rights Commission
Read at the Northfield City Council meeting on June 17, 2020
Declaración de Derechos Humanos en apoyo a la petición de justicia racial y social en los Estados Unidos
Nos solidarizamos con todas las personas que buscan la justicia social, especialmente la justicia racial con las comunidades negras y afroamericanas. Nos encontramos en un momento histórico en la búsqueda de la justicia, la imparcialidad y la equidad para todas las personas y debemos aprovechar este momento y trabajar aún más duro para lograr cambios en todas las instituciones. Estar en silencio no es una opción y queremos sumar nuestras voces a esta continua petición de cambio.
El asesinato de George Floyd, como sabemos, no es una trágica pérdida aislada, sino que está incrustado en una larga historia de desigualdad, acceso diferente a las oportunidades, falta de vivienda justa, discriminación en las prácticas de préstamo y acceso desproporcionado a la atención médica; injusticias que comenzaron durante la esclavitud en los Estados Unidos. Vemos que este trato injusto y la falta de acceso se producen en el estado de Minnesota, así como en todo el país y el mundo.
Nuestra esperanza y nuestro trabajo como Comisión de la ciudad de Northfield es hacer todo lo que esté a nuestro alcance para elevar las preocupaciones y voces de aquellos que por tanto tiempo han sido silenciados, oprimidos e ignorados.
-Comisión de Derechos Humanos de Northfield
Leído en la reunión del Consejo de la Ciudad de Northfield el 17 de junio de 2020
Meetings
Fourth Wednesday of each month
6 p.m.
City Hall
City Council Chambers
801 Washington St.
Northfield, MN 55057
Upcoming HRC Meeting
Agendas and minutes
Members
Name | Title | Term expiration |
---|---|---|
Jennie Eubank | Member | December 31, 2023 |
Veronica Gamino | Secretary | December 31, 2022 |
Linda Larson | Chair | December 31, 2024 |
Matthew Lovick | Member | December 31, 2023 |
Vacant | Member | December 31, 2022 |
Bruce Morlan | Member | December 31, 2023 |
Glenda Orrego | Member | December 31, 2024 |
Adam Wale | Vice-Chair | December 31, 2022 |
Barb Wornson | Member | December 31, 2024 |
Lucy Gonzalez Miron | Advisory Member (non-voting member) | December 31, 2022 |
Mar Valdecantos | Advisory Member (non-voting member) | December 31, 2022 |
Ana George | Youth Representative (voting member) | 2022-2023 school year |
Aidyn Plasch | Youth Representative (non-voting member) | 2022-2023 school year |
Sarah Ripka | Youth Representative (non-voting member) | 2022-2023 school year |
Martin Rosas | Youth Representative (non-voting member) | 2022-2023 school year |
*Ordinance 1001 allows for up to fourteen voting members. In addition to nine regular members, one youth voting member, and three youth non-voting members, the Mayor may appoint up to four additional voting or non-voting advisory members.
Contacting the commission
If you have questions or comments, you can email the commission. Each member will receive your email. When replying to your email, a commission member cannot reply to all members, only to you. This avoids violating the open meeting law.
Email the Human Rights Commission
Liaisons
If you have questions, concerns, or comments for the commission, contact a staff liaison.
Name | Title | Phone number |
---|---|---|
Claudia Garcia | Staff Liaison | 507-645-3078 |
Judy Becker | Clerical Liaison | Not available |
Tom Baraniak | School Board Representative, non-voting ex officio | Not available |
Overview
Special meetings are occasionally called.
The City of Northfield Human Rights Commission (HRC) seeks to secure for all citizens equal opportunity in employment, housing, public accommodations, public services, and education. The commission works to ensure full citizen participation in this community by assisting the State Department of Human Rights in implementing the Minnesota Human Rights Act and by advising the City Council on long range programs to improve community relations in the City of Northfield.
View Human Rights Commission bylaws
Human Rights FAQs
If you have questions and/or need help, please refer to this Frequently Asked Questions document.
The Human Rights Commission (HRC), along with everyone working through the pandemic, has had a challenging year. We have appreciated the support from staff as we have transitioned to online meetings.
Accomplishments
- Hosted the annual Martin Luther King Celebration in January
- Hosted a virtual presentation with Dr. Meredith McCoy (Carleton Professor) to share her expertise on the background and importance of Land Acknowledgment statements with more than 50 community members; the City Council adopted the statement on November 17, 2020
- Encouraged and supported changing the names of our public schools
- Participated in racial equity work within the City of Northfield and enjoyed reading “A Good Time for Telling the Truth” and sharing that discussion with others in our community
2019 accomplishments
Hosted events to provide education and build community:
- Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration
- 2nd Annual Najwa Community Picnic
- International Day of Peace (United Nations Theme of Climate Action)
- Indigenous People’s Day
- Supported the Northfield Reads group events based on the book, A Good Time for the Truth: Race in Minnesota
Current and upcoming projects
A member of the Human Rights Commission worked on an oral history project to collect interviews from community members from Mexico and Guatemala. These stories will be complied and shared in 2020.
Several members have also been part of conversations with St. Olaf and Carleton Colleges to develop a land acknowledgment statement in recognition of the people and land here before white settlement.
Membership requirements
The commission consists of nine regular members, one youth voting member, and three youth non-voting members appointed by the mayor and approved by the City Council, with an option for four additional voting or non-voting advisory members. Each regular member serves a three-year term. There is a three term limit. Members do not receive monetary compensation.
The mayor recommends applicants to the City Council based on their interest in equal rights for all citizens of Northfield, along with willingness to serve and background.
Applying
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You can apply to more than one board, commission or task force.
Apply for a board, commission, or task force
Applications are also available at:
City Hall
801 Washington Street
Northfield, MN 55057Northfield Public Library
210 Washington Street
Northfield, MN 55057