601 and I think this meeting will probably be over by then. Um Yes, I was driving when I was Hello. Hello. All right, so
let's go ahead and get uh get things started. Welcome everyone to the Human Rights Commission meeting. I'll go ahead and call this meeting to order. Can we get a roll call, please? Yvette Ellis.
Present. Anna Rajesh. Here. Sehima Memeti. Jennifer Cannon. Jennifer Aranda. Present. Trenton Garrits. Present. Sebastian McDougall. Here. All right. I'll start with our land
acknowledgement. We, the Moorhead Human Rights Commission, collectively and with gratitude acknowledge the sacred land of the city of Moorhead is built built upon. We acknowledge the people who have resided here for generations and recognize that the spirit of the Dakota,
Ojibwe, Metis, and all indigenous communities permeates this land. The contributions of the indigenous people shall not be forgotten, nor will the success that is achieved by the people of the land. We will continue to
educate, advocate, honor, and unite for indigenous peoples of this land. So, in our we have the approval of our April 15th meeting minutes. Can we get a motion?
Motion to approve, Trent. Second. Second. Sorry. All those in favor? I. I. >> I. All those opposed? Any abstentions?
Motion carries. So, we have two guest speakers on our agenda for today. Um we're going to have uh Justice North presenting today. We have Crystal And then we have another speaker. Um, we
have a slight adjustment to our program. Um, our intended speaker was going to be Troy Jackson. And he's in uh, traffic. And so, um, we will I'll be supporting Callan. So, I'll be presenting and she'll be
co-presenting with me um, information for today um, about our June upcoming Juneteenth events. So, we'll go ahead and get started. We have Justice North. Good evening. I am not on your agenda
because I'm crashing your meeting. Um, uh, my name is Anne Hefkin. I'm the co-executive director of Justice North. I just wanted to say, um, oof. Uh, thank you for having us tonight and I'm mostly going to give this over to Crystal to talk about the event, but also wanted to
just present because we were formerly Legal Services of Northwest Minnesota. I spoke here a while ago and we recently merged with Legal Services of Northeast Minnesota. So, we still have an office here in Moorhead, but we are now Justice North. We serve 33 counties across
northern Minnesota with free legal help for low-income individuals who have non-criminal legal needs. So, most people know the public defenders. Um, we are on the other side of the justice system. So, people facing domestic violence, um, public benefits issues, issues with disability, housing
is a huge area that we provide services in, and we also like to get out in the community, talk about what we do, and um, share ideas. And so, that's what Crystal's going to talk about with our community huddle. So, thanks for having us. Hi, good afternoon and thank you so much for having us here today. Uh, my name is
Crystal Jamerson and I'm the community outreach and partnerships lead here at Justice North. Um, as part of my role, I go out into many of the communities that we serve in our 33 counties to be able to talk with community members, talk with organizations to see what type of issues
that they're experiencing with their community, and how can Justice North help? What type of services are we able to provide? Um what we had realized about 2 years ago was that there was a drop in some of the BIPOC community that was um getting
services at Justice North, and we want to figure out what was going on, what was happening. So, we reached out to a lot of the different BIPOC leaders in the communities to see what can we do. What we realized is that there were a lot of there were a lot of different organizations doing the same thing, a
lot of duplicative work. We wanted to see how can we bridge some of those so that we can be a a support, we can be help, and that people are getting services the way that they need to. So, we decided to have kind of a interactive
community session, and we named it the community huddle. The community huddle was to be able to um allow communities to come together to talk about the issues, to figure out what organizations are actually doing the work, and if there are some gaps,
how do we collaborate together to make those issues not disappear, not put a band-aid on it, but start doing work to start to make them um better, get these issues to possibly be resolved. So, our first year was amazing. We are doing it again for our second year.
Um for our second year, um with some of the conversations that we've been having, immigration has popped up tremendously through all sorts of different meetings that I've been at. And so, we wanted to make sure that there was a hot topic of immigration resources available. We wanted to know
who is doing the work, what's going on, how can we help community members, and what organizations can be able to partner together so that it's not just two people in one organization serving 25 families. So, what can we actually do? Um we wanted to make sure that the
human rights um organization knew about this because it's really important to share um what's going on in our community. And we feel this is an excellent opportunity for organizations, community members, government officials, whoever's
in um thinking about their community as something as a place that they want to live at, those are the people that invited. Anybody's invited to the table. Um I do have flyers that are here. I just asked if everybody can register so we all know who's going to be coming
there. Um the space is not limited, but the space is limited >> [laughter] >> because there's only so many people and we are filling up really fast. So, we definitely invite you guys to come. It would be a really great opportunity. There will be um It is from June 2nd
from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. It's at the Christensen Alumni Center at MSUM in Moorhead, and we are partnering with um a few organizations. It'll be on the bottom of the flyer, and um yeah, we just we want everybody to kind of know
about it. We're really really excited to bring it. Hopefully, we'll be able to bring it again next year, and you'll get some opportunities to see some wonderful organizations at work. Oh, yes. And there's going to be food. >> [laughter] >> So, please make sure you get there
before 5:00 so you can enjoy some some tacos from um uh we're going to be with La Unica, which is going to be great because we like to support local, so please please join us. Thank you. Thank you so much. And you know, I was going to ask. I was like,
"Oh, are you all having food?" No, I'm not joking. No, the question I actually I going to ask was like, was there a max capacity like for a community but you kind of answered that and so will the registration kind of like no longer take it submissions at a certain point or is
you know how will community how do how will people know you know that Yes, there's a there is a a fire capacity. We're trying to just cut it um we'll be cutting it the like probably um was it May 31st? That will be kind of
the cut-off date. So, if you're if you're able to register before the 31st, that would be good just because it gives us an opportunity to let our vendor know how much to prepare um and we want to make sure that we have enough food for everybody. Right now, we are more than double than we were last year, which is
huge, which lets us know that immigration is a hot topic. People are concerned about their community and we're hoping for a really great, friendly, respectful turnout. Yes. >> Great. And and one more thing. Um so, as far as the event itself cuz I
this would be my first attending this event. Um does it is it recorded you know like at how will the rest of the community that maybe is unable to attend be able to kind of hear you know like maybe results or or
is there some kind of result sharing space? No, that's a great question. It is not recorded. Um we do encourage everybody to come to the meeting, but we're hoping that everyone is able the different organizations and people that are there are able to disseminate some
of the information to the others in the community. Um one of the solutions we have at the end and I won't give it away will be a way that we're able to continue to share the information and the work that we did at the meeting. So, hopefully if you're not there, you'll still be able to get in on the information that has been
present um at the meeting, but yes, it's a special surprise. No joke not that special. >> [laughter] >> Do you have any other questions? Well, thank you so much for your time. >> Yes, I'm sorry. I had to get that thing.
I'm wondering if the app is still active and if that's a way for folks to see some of the organizations that might be there. And then secondly, is there tabling if we have materials or Yes. So, the Huddle Hub was an app that was
developed during the first community huddle as a way for organizations to be able to stay together, to collaborate, and to share. So, that app is still open. Uh we want to make sure that um the app still is able to grow. So, we'll be putting the um the uh QR code so that people that do
come to the or to the meeting is able to continue to collaborate and share with each other. Currently, the partners that are collaborating right now for this huddle, we don't have like logos or anything on there, but information for all of the community partners that have joined is still on the app. So, yes,
that one um will be available. To the second question for tabling, for this event, we will have table host because we want to make sure that the conversation goes smoothly. So, each organization that is partnering with us will have a table. They'll be able to um
disseminate their information at the table and hopefully with um guided conversation, they'll be able to let them know about the different organizations that are there. I think it'll be important for everybody to be able to have that information. We'll do a it's like a speed networking event where
you'll be able to go to other tables and grab other information, too. So, you won't just be limited to the information that's at your table. But, it should hopefully um gather more collaboration and talks amongst the tables. Thank you for that.
Any other questions? Uh Crystal, just a quick question. [clears throat] You and I have known each other for a while now. Um, is there still room for potential, um, organizations to register? Absolutely. Um, right now we are not at
our capacity. However, we are filling up, so I definitely would, um, I I have some flyers with me today that I will leave, um, at the back of the table, so you can grab that. You can use the QR code or the registration link, and you can still register. Um, and then if
there is somebody or an organization you're like, "Hey, it'd be really good to have them at the table." Feel free to reach out to me personally, and I can reach out and see if they would like to come. We can add them. And and knowing, you know, what we do at the land trust, do you think this would be a benefit for us
to be there? It's more of a self-serving question, so I apologize, but >> absolutely. I feel that, you know, in your organization, it's not just, um, it's not just the majority that are coming to you that are low-income individuals. You're serving majority,
minority, new Americans. There's not a demographic that you're not able to serve. And so, some of those household members are going to be people with immigration type of issues. So, it'd be nice to be an organization that said, "Hey, we know that your your husband, um,
may have just been detained. So, here are some resources in the community that can help you out, and we want to be an organization that's always being proactive with our community that we serve." So, I think it's definitely a wonderful event for that. >> [snorts] >> More questions?
I was like being real quick. That's okay. [laughter] I'm so sorry. No, you're great. But yeah, no, again, thank you so much for hosting this and putting this event on. I think it's really important for a community to really be able to get together, especially when we're trying to find different ways to try
troubleshoot uh hot topics and you know, the cute the community huddle is one of those areas where, you know, I heard that, you know, it would be a great space to host. So, you must have did some great job at the first one and so we look forward to this happening and
community participation. Absolutely. And uh for my last comment, I would love and appreciate if next year that the HRC would want to be involved as one of our partners um so that we can continue to grow this throughout Morehead. I think that would be amazing.
So, that's my only ask and I appreciate you guys' time today. Thank you. >> Thank you. Have a great day. You too. Okay, so up next we have um our Juneteenth event. So, I'm going to make a small transition. Okay, so hi everybody. Um right now I
have Callan. She's passing around some postcards that you're going to see uh moving around through the city that just kind of highlights our upcoming event that we're partnering with a couple of different organizations to uh host our Juneteenth event. Um our
before um our intended speaker, he had some issues getting here. So, um I'm going to get us started. Um so, my name is Yvette Ellis. I'm a a of the
planning committee and with me I have Helen Myers. She's also a part of the planning committee and so um Okay, so this will be Morehead Juneteenth celebration for 2026. This is the fifth
annual. We're celebrating a 160 that's our 160th celebration of the census. So a movement for human rights. So Juneteenth it like you wonder you may be
ask asking yourselves why are we here today? Like what is this all about? How do we make this connection with human rights? So I'll give you a little story or a little bit of history that we have here. This is not the full history, but this is just some information to kind of share just so
that way you can kind of understand like our purpose. Juneteenth is not just a historical event, it's a global testament to the universal right to live liberty, dignity and self-determination. The universal right to liberty.
The emancipation emancipation as a human right. When Major General Granger read General Orders Number 3 in 1865, it wasn't just a local decree, it was the restoration of Article 1 in
the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. All human beings are born free and equal in dignity. A lot of folks are really thrilled about we're all celebrating the 250th
and so we look at what that significance is. So within the 250 years um, the United States became free. And so, but not all residents of the United States had those
rights. And so, Juneteenth is what we're here to discuss because 90 years later we have the fight for equity. Moorhead's Juneteenth, supported by the Human Rights Commission, serves as a modern safeguard for civil rights,
promoting and closing and securing equal opportunity for every citizen regardless of background. All right. So, we have the Chronicles of Progress. So, Lincoln signed Emancipation Proclamation in in 1863.
All right. Um, uh, freedom arrived in Galveston on June 19th, uh, 1865. In 2019, Moorhead began its local annual celebration. In 2021, Juneteenth became a US federal
holiday. All right. Okay. So, for our fifth year, Juneteenth is going to Well, this is going to be the first year Juneteenth is at MSUM. It's going to be Friday, June 19th, 2026. The time
is going to be from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The venue is MS, uh, Minnesota State University Moorhead. A community gathering honoring Black history, culture, and resilience on the beautiful campus of MSUM. The admission is free
and is open to the public. So, celebrating the senses. Sound. So, the organi- So, uh, the planning committee, we're all going to we're working together to ensure that we have live music, spoken word, powerful cultural performances.
Um, those are still uh, like a work in progress. We do still have We have uh the the QR code that we the poster that we sit send to everybody basically has a QR code on there. If you are a vendor or a performer and you like to take part,
you have up until the 25th to uh add yourself to that. We have site artistic expression, Afro-futuristic showcases, and cultural murals. So, we're working with a lot of local artists and maybe a few that are
coming in maybe from the Twin Cities to provide this site experience. I believe we're going to we're looking at having uh murals. Yes, so. Yeah. I'm like you're tying me in whatever. Yes, we are looking at having a mural. We found a
artist that just moved to the area. She is a published artist. She's living out of Alexandria. Um, she just submitted three different concepts to me to present to the committee that we'll do at the next um committee meeting. So, we're really trying to get that
local buy-in. Um, we're also going to have a taste. So, vibrant community cookout featuring diverse local food vendors. And this right here, I know often times we go to different events and people have to pay for pay to eat pay to drink or just kind of, you know,
pay for stuff. This is a free event. There will be uh vendors that will be providing some things at lower cost than they normally uh would charge as a way of giving back to the community. We also have some vendors providing some free
items. We have a lot of vendors that are pro- providing free free items. So, um if you don't have any money, still show up cuz we have something for everybody. Um, we're really trying to cater to the community making sure that everybody feels included and supported in this
initiative in this uh celebration. Uh and with the taste, there will also be a community meal. So, that's like a free meal that will be provided to the community uh for a set Was it an hour or two an hour and a half or two hours for you to come or until the food is gone.
>> And then like we have some common questions. So, the inclusivity. We welcome all races and genders and ages. Youth attendance is highly encouraged. And so, when we talk about inclusivity, we know that Moorhead is not 90% African
American or descendants. Um we want to make sure that everybody feels welcome, but also has various aspects of what Juneteenth is about. You get to celebrate with some of our celebratory dances that range throughout history
throughout time. You get to taste some of the cuisines from different parts. We're very It's very diverse community, so you're going to get something from one or another part of the community. Um also uh you're also going to see
different performers that are diverse in their talents as well. And then also we have We want to like really end to some of the historical spaces where we've had individuals who um uh gave back to the community. So, we'll have a
Yeah. Um the the Felix Battle Yeah, the Felix Battle. Uh so, a couple of I guess we'll have a few educational components. Um one is a four-panel discussion um after a skit. Another is the uh we've
have two planned uh marches to the Felix Battle statue, which is a statue that is on MSUM that a lot of people don't know the history of this um former veteran who uh started the first like barber shop in the area. So, we
also have intentions to have someone come out um from the hair community to either provide lessons or uh cuts or something. We're not quite sure she's in, but we're not quite sure to what capacity she's going to be um participating. And then um there was one
more thing I was going to say. If it comes back, we'll be here. >> Okay. >> [laughter] >> Okay. And then also like with our vendors and the uniqueness of this event is all vendor booths are free. We just ask that if you're uh selling food, that you make sure that you have your license
because MSUM is going to make sure that you have the right license so that way we can uh make sure for safety uh safety reasons. Oh, that's what I was going to say. But, we have a sniper. Yeah, so and uh those of most of you in
here may know a little bit about the Destiny Holiday Award. And so, in honoring the legacy, uh named after Destiny uh Grandmama Holiday, the guiding force behind Morehead's first Juneteenth, this award recognizes
individuals who exemplify compassion, resilience, and commitment to the community. Nominations are uh currently open um for the Community Champion Award to be presented at the Morehead City Council meeting.
So, um because of the way things the the way we're doing stuff, we just uh have we're waiting to get more information from the Human Rights Commission about how we're going to proceed with the Destiny
Holiday Award. So, that right there uh this was pre pre-written, so that's just an edit. And then, so the next part is join the movement. Volunteering, uh lend your time to help and coordinate activities. Donations, we welcome
in-kind support for the community cause. and then you can register using the QR code um on the form uh to support. And so, look out for more information on that. Next slide. Okay. So, 160 years of resilience. You
keep seeing that number, 160. [clears throat] Why it matters. This anniversary marks 16 16 decades of cultural innovation, ancestral memory, and the persistent pursuit of human rights. In Moorhead, we translate this global history into local
action, fostering a more united and resilient community for the next generation. Advocacy and human rights. Advancing equity and inclusion as a community pillar. Uh Sawubona NFH advocacy and support for
the diaspora in Moorhead, a city committed to justice and dignity. So, our partners and sponsors. We have uh host institution is Minnesota State University Moorhead. Civic support, the city of Moorhead and
Human Rights Commission. Health and wellness, Essentia Health and Sanford Health. Academic arts, Concordia College and Fred's Dissonance. Advocacy partners, Sawubona NFH advocacy and support. So, special thanks to our local
entrepreneurs and community champions. So, this just kind of gives like just a little highlight of what we're what we're bringing. There's a lot of areas that we're still working through, and so
Does anybody have any questions? Or Do you have some stuff? Yes. I Oh, wait. I was going to ask if Dr. Clark because of Concordia, and also because you're Dr. Clark wanted to say anything. You got
You got it. Come to the mic so they can hear you. Wait. Question for whomever I suppose. I noticed in the presentation that there was a mention of I think community volunteers helping when it comes to security and whatnot. So, my question is
is what what security there we go and safety we have that's not working with the police to make sure that everyone feels safe. This is about Juneteenth, emancipation from slavery, police all the descendants of slave catchers. So, it's in my understanding that this is the first
year the police are going to be present. Again, I'm new here. So, yeah, what kind of safety is going to be in place outside of the police and not working with the police. Yeah. Thank you for that great question. And thank you for the history piece on that.
So, this the college campus, they have they have security there. We have some meetings some future meetings scheduled to kind of get that tied in. Do you have a little bit more information on that part?
Okay. I can say that I know I'm part of Scouting America and I know that we're looking for volunteers from our troops to come out and also support and just have a presence. But, I can't speak more to what the plan is for safety. I am noting it and
planning to bring it up at the next committee meeting. Yeah, and one thing because we have if if you're familiar with the college, there's a open like one way there. So, we will be having um we will be having like the city
Yeah, they shut down the street. So, what what that looks like, I'm not too sure. Um but we are Jared would be like a good person to ask about more of the logistical. Um I'd hate to put the
the chief on the spot. Like um do do you happen to know like has there been any communication as far um I know as part of the participation, um you'll be particip- your department will be participating, but as far as the like the actual event,
um could you speak to that maybe? Yeah, I can uh speak to this. Our presence there is to help positively engage with the community and make sure it's a safe event. So, we're going to do what we need to do on that.
And uh I talked to Ryan Nelson at MSU M Security yesterday to kind of talk through this a little bit. And uh we definitely want to be part of that conversation again to make sure it's a safe event for everyone who attends and participates. And uh you know, again, I think we have some more work to do on that, but uh
uh yeah, we'll be there one way or the other. Yeah, and so we we're we're 30 days away from the event. So, this is just like really high-level. Um we're taking in any uh questions that people may have. Um we have contact information
out there. So, if people are wanting to uh know a little bit more information or if they have specific questions, as we get those things answered, we're going to ensure to um share that information. One of our members posted on Facebook. So, if you follow
Facebook, we'll send out community updates on a bunch of our different sites that we could do. So, that way the community is aware of how they can get, you know, if they have questions, they can ask those in those spaces. But,
we have some upcoming meetings scheduled here later in the month to get some of those questions answered. So, thank you for that. Do you have any questions? Any other questions? Yes, we do.
Yeah, so Morehead June Juneteenth. So, just look at under the events. So, we have event there. I just wanted to emphasize the importance of Dr. Clark's question.
And also request that the committee look at who security is at MSUM because I think that there is a close tie with the cops. I don't know if everyone is a
law enforcement officer sworn, but I think bringing in somehow the scouting and would be great. Yeah, and we're open to volunteers as well. And so, as those conversations
come up, we want to make sure that we get those answered. And ultimately, we really want to make sure that by inviting our full community, we have people that have good intentions. We also have individuals that may not. And so, for safety and
security reasons, especially when you have larger populations, there has to be some presences there. And at what that what that looks like just to ensure that the event goes smoothly. Um Um, we will be discussing that and making sure that we put provide
information regarding that. Um, that's not my not in my area of expertise. So, I will meet with the experts and make sure that we do get some questions answered. Yes. Okay. Um, I know that the program is still
being developed, but I don't remember seeing any sort of outreach for the indigenous communities in the area. Do we have any sort of Native American or indigenous people that will also be involved since we know they are also had a history of being enslaved in this country, too. Thank you for that question. And, um,
I can let you know that we have pushed out this information to the whole community as far as, um, uh, people that were interested in participating in an event that celebrates,
um, Juneteenth. And, I also know that we also don't want to water down this event cuz we really want to be purposeful and specific as to what we
are celebrating. Um, like we said before, all the community is welcome. We do have a QR code for participators, for vendors. So, if there are individuals that are in the indigenous community that maybe haven't
registered yet, or we may have some folks that have registered, we are still going through the process of ensuring that they still want to participate in their capacities, but we also want to make sure that anybody that is, um, providing some form of like anybody
that's participating that there's make they're making a connection to Juneteenth and that history. This won't come up. Okay, there you Uh it is also just important to know that we do uh celebrate Indigenous Peoples Day um and the HRC has been part of that
as well. So, there is an event uh usually that we're part of in October um to recognize um some of those concerns and some of those past uh historic events as well. So, um if they're not if they're not recognized at this event, we do also recognize them at a later time um uh on Indigenous
Peoples Day in October. So, just so you're aware. Any other questions? Uh well, thank you all so much for taking the time to listen to our presentation and we'll have more information. Be on the lookout for more information. So, like,
follow, share our various difference uh communication platforms and to be informed. So, thank you. Testing. Okay. So, do we have any community partners to be heard? Hearing none. Do we have any citizen uh
citizens to be heard? So, when you come up, if you can state your name if you are a City of Morehead resident and there you go. I won't put a time on there or anything. >> Thank you. My name is uh Jamal Abegaz. I am a
resident uh of the city of Morehead. Um I have a couple of things I just want to address you all about. I'm here actually because uh I was made aware that the Juneteenth planning uh is going to involve having the police there.
Uh I think that's absolutely ridiculous on a day that we're celebrating freedom from the slave catchers to have the descendants there uh as a part of this event. Um if this goes through, if this is how it's going to go, not only will I,
somebody who's organizing this community for 10 years, not attend, not only will I, as somebody who spoke at the first City of Morehead uh uh uh Juneteenth celebration, not attend, but I'm going to contribute my efforts to anybody who's going to organize a
cop-free event. Um also, while I'm here, I was awarded the Human Rights Award by this commission in 2020. I never got my award. Do you guys know where it is? Counselor White doesn't seem to know where it is. It's 6 years later, I never got it.
Um well, I have been on the Human Rights Commission uh since last year. >> Yeah, I know that. Um and what I will do is thank you so much for sharing that information with me. I will ensure to follow up with our team to make sure
that you do receive your award if you have you know if you haven't received it. Um I'll follow up with them to see um how that can be rectified. Um also, I want to make it um I just want to just
share thoughts. Um I do understand, you know, we we talk a lot about like the history of Juneteenth. Um often times we forget about the forward progression with things. Uh we have a lot of people who are working
towards like making things a lot better. And in the community, we don't have a large representation of African-Americans in the community. Um we do have some representation, how sparing it may be, of a representation
of us. But at the same time, in order for individuals to know about our history, I think it's important to invite folks in to learn about what's happening or what has happened in the past, and
make a choice to make a make a decision if they're going to use this information and make positive choices. But if we're not inviting the full community to a space where they could learn and engage positively in our community, I think
it's also important for our kids to be able to have these interactions with individuals that are part of the community. And so everybody is welcome to attend this event. Um we do not
condone or we will not support any um like singling out or any negative um negative communications. Um they're there for our safety. We're taxpayers as well. They're supposed to
be there for our safety. And so ensuring our safety is important. And so that's just me speaking as an individual and as a black woman. Um I think it's hard for us to sit up here and say that we don't want uh
police to be at an event. Um but at the same time, there we want to call them for support. I want them >> to call them for support, either. >> I don't want to call them for support. So, that as an individual, you have that right, but we would like to see positive
interactions with our community and with our local law enforcement, with all of the departments in our community. Um but it is a choice, it is an invitation. You can choose to come to the event, but you also have the right and choice not to attend the event.
Um so, I'll stop there. Do we have any other citizens to be heard? I want to just take a moment to um say thank you for sharing that. It's important. Um I hear you.
I haven't made a decision. This is a much deeper issue than just Juneteenth. Um and I don't have the answer. But thank you for sharing that. Does anybody else have Just something to keep in mind as
decisions are being made. Yes, this is a event that's celebrating freedom and of course, you know, the descendants of African Americans. And since we are trying to be inclusive and welcoming everybody in the in the community, let's also keep in mind that Morehead has decided not to pass a separation
ordinance with ICE and the police. So, if we want everyone to feel welcome, keep in mind we have very vulnerable people in our community who are at high higher risk high risk than others. So, the presence of some uniform people will make people feel very uncomfortable, not just black folks.
Or well, at least the US black folks, I should say. Thank you for sharing. Do we have any other citizens to be heard? We'll move on to our regular business. Do you have any regular business? No. Do we have any subcommittee reports?
Our education and outreach, um, we're scheduled to meet June 2nd with all with the full, um, with the full HRC to kind of discuss uh future planning. Um, so if you haven't
RSVP, please make sure you do. Tanya, have did you get everybody's RSVP for that? June 2nd? Yes, June 2nd. >> Yes, everyone, um, on the commission has, um, stated that was the date that would work, um, and I have it out, um,
for um, public notice as well. So, even though it's not like our normal um, routine monthly meeting cuz our June meeting usually lands in the month where ScanFest is going on here at the MCOM Center and, um,
the holiday of June 10th, so June 2nd we're going to it's not going to be held in the auditorium, it's going to be held in our Willow Room, but yet still, um, community members, public are invited to come, but it'll be more of a informal way for us to discuss
um our future planning of of what we want to um dive into for the human rights in our committees. So. On to the events. reports. So. So.
Just put it >> under the new business since it wasn't on last, but I put [laughter] I I did put the Destiny Holiday Awards. I wasn't sure if I should put that under the subcommittee, but yeah, it's under the new business. So, with the Oh, go ahead. Oh, I because we had spoken about um
the immigration subcommittee the last time that we were together, I was hoping for an update on that. Yeah, so with the immigration subcommittee, um if you didn't have an opportunity to tune in to the city council meeting
where they were able to uh if you didn't get an opportunity to tune in, um I I'll hand it over to Sebastian for the the report out. Um sure. Um I know when we met three
different times, and we met with multiple different uh community leaders, minority community leaders, business partners, uh multiple different times to address the issue with ICE and what we've seen in the uh community. And
there really was not a major call to action. There wasn't um like for example, we were told we had multiple people losing their homes and stuff because of ICE and whatnot, but when we brought more at public housing in right away, that our very first meeting, there was
they had no calls. They had There was no call to action. They didn't haven't received anything, and that was just a multiple I should say it was multiplied with everyone we talked to. Initially when everything had first come out with ICE, yes, there was a regression. Um, businesses, [clears throat] but kids not going to school, stuff like that, but
then it rebounded right away. Um, there was a uh, Superintendent Lunic talked about kids not going to school. When he first talked to us, he said it was about 5 to 10% of families or kids that weren't showing up, but then our last meeting he said no, he
misinterpreted or misstated, it was 5 to 10 families, not 5 to 10%. So, that's a significant drop in people and for schools that were or kids that were going to schools that uh, were not. Um, he also said that ICE was not in uh, any of the buildings or in the
parking lots or anything else like that and we haven't heard anything as that um, as well. So, there was with all that data that we had come across, there was no reason to call for separation orders. So, that's kind of how we left it. And I do know
one thing is um, as far as the uh, outcomes, uh, that's that's a space where they were able to come up with the community huddle and focus on the topic of immigration and have more community partners at the table to kind of like
talk through that a little bit. Yeah, they did decide if people are are experiencing issues or and whatnot, um, to go to First Link. That's the best spot to get any sort of information or guidelines just to go that way. Uh, there's a link on the uh, city website they can certainly go to and get uh,
directed that way, but that was the consensus of the committee. Also, um, on on our HRC website, there is a link on there that has updated information on there that's also being shared on the city's website. So, that's
a new addition that since our last meeting, uh, update, uh, resource space for individuals who maybe are familiar with our Human Rights Commission page, they're able to go to that link and then it'll take them to additional resources.
So, that that was a update. Um Was there anything else? No, I think that covers it. Question or comment or How does that work? Like Uh yes, you can come up. I highly I highly there we go highly
encourage you all to actually go back and watch the city council meeting if you have access to it and those notes. Unfortunately, Sebastian fell asleep when Deb White was actually counting off several instances of people in our community who have been taken by ICE and families who are very much scared and not just about things I saw on social
media, not about the Twin Cities, but actually here in Moorhead. Including students from my campus, Concordia. So, unfortunately, maybe Sebastian was asleep when she was rattling it off since we saw him kind of doze a few times, but check the receipts yourself. Just Sure, come on. Come up.
As part of the city council meeting um the counselor talked about how I guess the city had been having some communications with community partners. People have reached out to me directly. Have been since January, since the first raids in the Fargo-Moorhead area were
occurring. And we have been working with others in the community, other ad hoc formations, members of the community just coming together to to resolve these issues. A lot of people have not come to the city government. A lot of people have not
come to the city council as counselor Nissa Meyer noted that the lead uh the lead was for organizing to support the community was coming from the community. Uh that there were social workers that were actually reaching out to
uh to um members of the community who were doing that mutual aid work and that ice watch work. Um the need for that particular uh separation ordinance I think is very
clear. I think members of the commission uh showed their lack of care for their community and also their extreme cowardice. Um taking the position that uh it hasn't happened here as counselor
Borgen stated uh means that apparently they don't think it can. Um it's a type of leading from the rear that we don't need. I would urge this uh commission to
reconsider, maybe talk with some of these people and address whatever fears they have. Uh but definitely to endorse and put forth before the commission or the council a another ordinance. This needs to get
passed. We need this and yes, we did see you falling asleep. Councilor Oh, we got pictures. You can not your head. We got pictures. We got pictures. Okay. But yes, thank you so much. I appreciate Thank you for sharing. Um and I just will want to make sure that we
uh the city council uh what happens in the city council meetings and and their votes um they you know, they're elected officials. We are volunteer we're volunteer and the information like
uh this is like one of our this is an opportunity for community members to come whether they're afraid could potentially have somebody else come and speak such as yourself or another member of the community can come.
Throughout that time I've been very open about community members coming to our HRC and providing us updates about or just letting us know what's happening in the community. Um so that way we are able to tackle different
issues as a community or bring those talk talk about it amongst our specific area. We also were in we were invited to be a part of that and so we were just waiting for information to come so that way when
we took part of those that ad hoc meeting that we were able to speak in that speak to those spaces. Um but thank you so much for sharing. Um unfortunately that ad hoc committee meeting they're not
convening. Um but if y'all have issues this is a space to be heard. It is recorded and then you know as a commission we discuss those things and hope that way we could discuss community issues.
We appreciate you sharing. Um the commu- the commission appreciates you using us as a platform to express your opinions. Perhaps in the future we can keep it a little more respectful,
less accusing. But we do really appreciate uh you sharing your opinion. All right. So we we're going to have to move on to our new business discussing the
Destiny Holiday Award nominations. So, we have a have some time. Let's discuss that. So, we got we have received a we have received some nominations for
but we didn't really receive a lot of nominations for the Destiny Holiday Award. A few things kind of came up out of that. So, a suggestion was to have it be
like kind of open at the Juneteenth event where people could make some submissions there. So, that way we'd have community members there. We'd have more folks be able to provide submissions as far as who they feel
embodies that the Destiny Holiday Award. It's a suggestion that was brought up. And this is a space for us to discuss. So, the the it's open for discussion.
There we go. I have a few issues with this process. Certainly the award that's fine. I do not feel as I am a very good representative to select somebody for
this award. If there was more criteria maybe surrounding it outside of the spirit of the award or embodying it, I don't really know what embodying it means per se. There's no real measurable way to to figure that out. It's a little bit more subjective than than I would like.
And I don't think I'm the most equipped to make that decision on on who is being a leader within some of these communities that I may not be in every day. With that said, one of the things I would maybe suggest as we move forward,
one of the things we could ask of past recipients that have received their award, sorry to hear that you haven't, that they are part of a selection committee moving forward because those are people that are embodying it, understand what the award is, understand
what the criteria is, what they're all looking for. And if we don't want to go that route, then my other my other suggestion would be that we need more clear-cut um uh criteria, something that's a little bit easier to to to judge just based on
or or consideration, say judge, but consider rather than just having words um cuz again I I I I don't know how to the all all of three of these have done great things. But to say
I I I can't say honestly who I feel has done uh a better job or a better representation or embodies it better per se. So, that's my difficulty with it right now, but Thank you for sharing.
Appreciate that feedback. Dan. I think that's uh a really great point that attest to the issue of not even knowing Destiny. A lot of folks
didn't know her. She was boots on the ground doing the work. So, for those people, that was why I thought maybe having something at Juneteenth to introduce Destiny, to talk about who she
was and what she brought to this community, not just the first Juneteenth. I mean, that was cool. It was fun. But, what she did with Birthing of a Diamond, what she did for for our community
is really important. And so, I think having some stories, having some folks there who knew her, who may have been recipients previously, like you were talking about, would be great. And then just having a short form, I mean,
sometimes these are pretty daunting for folks. And and I like that idea because sometimes people don't know about something until they're actually there. And it's like, "Oh my gosh, had I known, I would have done this or would have done differently." But, it I think it's
important for us to have these conversations because as much as we're pushing out, needing submissions, looking for submissions, I think this is one of the first real times that we're actually looking at that whole process. And I feel like we have a lot of people
in community who are deserving. And they just haven't been called to called to. And I think a lot of those people, they show up in these spaces. And so, uh I think it'll be a great opportunity. I don't know what the logisticals behind
that, Tonya, like to work toward something like that. Like, I would be in favor of of that suggestion cuz I think it's really important to have in a community involved in in that process. Whether it be uh like a virtual option
to, you know, during that day be able to submit something or uh in-person showing up and submitting an option. And just like I I don't know. And I >> [clears throat] >> And I think the the um
one point to make was that at our last meeting it was to be um individuals were supposed to submit to me ideas of who could be on that like that sub sub committee of of reviewing the nominations and since we just didn't I didn't receive any um that would be my
one question is okay we get submissions we have the submissions at the Juneteenth event but then who's going to review and decide that's maybe the the issue that we're kind of you know I think we can resolve that at our June
2nd meeting. That sounds like a wonderful idea. >> Yeah like I think we could probably come up with some kind of format like I I think it's a great idea um so that way we can engage folks that feel comfortable being at the event or
folks that may not but still have a virtual option to participate within that time frame to recognize uh different individuals in community. Um but yeah. I'm just more concerned of logistics
with collecting the data go and re- reviewing it presenting it how long can you keep your window open when you plan to present the award is it going to be at towards the end then? That was the only questions I had for or concern I had with that process. >> Yeah so the schedule is is still like workable movable. We did look at a uh I
think it was like around 1:30 was when uh we were going to present the award on that day. Um so we could even push it back a little further so that way we have some open time but these are the logistics I think that we could that we have some
time to kind of maybe discuss and try to promote and possibly look at um having something open up until the event so that way we have stuff but then also look at the the individuals that would be able uh
have an opportunity to review that information in a reasonable amount of time. So. And I don't want to get caught up in having to have something presented at Juneteenth. Yeah. I I think it's
as we're weighing options and looking at getting some you know, meaty nominations. Why why there would need to be something happening at Juneteenth. Just because it has been does not mean we
need to move forward in that same way. And I think also, too, um even if we're just setting up this process, it may not happen this year and then it would just be something that we went through that process at this Juneteenth, then that
recipient will receive it at the next one because it'll already be there and start the process over. I don't know, but I think it it does deserve a deeper discussion that we could do in that working group um
on the second. In addition to that, um something that um I'm mulling over about some of the comments that have been brought to our attention today. I don't know who Destiny Holiday was. Um it's a little bit before my time um
being on the HRC and just not really plugged into the community at that time, but was she connected to a nonprofit or um one of these subset groups that we have that's out there? Breathing of a Diamond
Breathing of a Diamond was her nonprofit. >> That's right. I did read that. My my my question is, I wonder how many people we miss that are doing fantastic things that may not be attached to a building,
a mission, a nonprofit, or whatever. And so, I think sometimes as as other organizations and groups I've been with, we look at the name on the door, Mishara or Diamond in the Rough, whatever it might be. No, not Diamond in Sorry. Uh but but say, "Oh, we'll just
send some information to them to help spread that word." But I also think then we're missing a whole 'nother group of people that maybe aren't doing that, but just doing it because they feel compelled and don't need to be attached to something. So, one of the things I'd also like to add to that June 2nd is how do we
um take that and and multiply it? How do we get it to that next level of people? Because if we continue to solicit nominations from the same five or six groups, we're going to get the same five or six nominations. So, we need to figure that
and and look at that larger. That's another reason why I look at um past recipients of of the award uh to be able to say, "Here's some other people in our community that are doing rockstar things that should be recognized. Um they're going to have a better understanding and knowledge of it
more times than what our nonprofit leaders might have. So, just a just another thought. Well, thank thank you so much for sharing. Um and I think we can res- we could probably talk about it forever. Um but yeah, let's reserve our time and
have further discussion on the 2nd. And so, that way we can come with a plan of action. If you have stuff that just pops off your head, you feel free to email and uh she can put that in a list of some of our discussion points. And if you had areas that, you know, like um
areas that you wanted us to kind of concentrate on, like I have mine and y'all probably have y'alls, we can work on all that together. Um so, with that being said, um I will I'll go ahead >> Well, actually just Madam Commissioner, I just have one one last thing I just
wanted to bring um to to light. Um there was recently police uh Chief Helmick was was interviewed regarding a missing uh girl in our community um and Facebook posts that were tied to it. Uh and you did a wonderful job. I
appreciate you um going on on TV and doing that. I understand that not everybody that made these despicable comments are Morehead residents. But it is just another stark reminder of how much farther we have to go. And
those comments should never have been put out there for others to see. I understand we have differences. We don't all see the same. We don't maybe all worship the same. That's fine cuz at the end of the day we're all somebody's uh child um and and some of us are
children or fathers or parents or whatever to other children and that should still be respected. And in the loss of or the potential loss of a child is not the time to be bringing up those types of things. And so I I also just
denounce that those comments are rude and there's no place for them. It's unfortunate we can't take them down, but again it was just another reminder that it's we're so far away in in in some respects. So thank you, Chief.
It A lot of heavy topics today. We kind of mold over have a opportunity to kind of process some of this information or all of this information. Um want to thank you all for coming and attending and we'll go ahead and adjourn this meeting 6:08.