North Dakota Human Rights Coalition
Working to effect change so that all people in North Dakota enjoy full human rights
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North Dakota Human Rights Coalition Working to effect change so that all people in North Dakota enjoy full human rights |
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~North Dakota Human Rights Coalition~ PAUR Report
Programs ~ Announcements ~ Updates ~ Resources
Visit our Website at www.ndhrc.org
June 17, 2004
Hello members and friends of the North Dakota Human Rights Coalition!
In this week’s PAUR Report:
Announcements 1) Status of Class Action Lawsuit Following June 15 Hearing 2) North Dakota Human Rights Coalition Position on Anti-Gay Marriage ND Constitutional Amendment 3) Fight the Anti-Gay Marriage Amendment Initiative!
Newspaper Articles 4) Bismarck Tribune, Group wants marriage defined in constitution 5) Grand Forks Herald, Dorreen Yellow Bird Column: All people are created equal -- or are they? 6) Associated Press, Fargo holds its first Pride parade
Events 7) 2004 Training-of-Trainers Workshop: Human Rights as a Tool for Organizing, July 28 – August 1, Fargo
Reminders 8) 22nd Annual International Peace Festival, June 18-20 9) 2004 North Dakota Immigrant Access Forum, August 5, Fargo 10) Announcement from the NDHRC about the Fargo Human Relations Commission 11) Native Vote 2004 12) North Dakota Progressive Coalition Job Announcement, Minot Community Organizer 13) Save the Date – Next Town Hall Meeting, July 21, Bismarck 14) Save the Date, North Dakota Human Rights Coalition Conference, November 5 & 6, 2004, Bismarck 15) Knowing & Understanding Your Rights is the First Step in Receiving Equal Rights
********************************************* Announcements *********************************************
1.) Status of Class Action Lawsuit Following June 15 Hearing
The North Dakota Human Rights Coalition is pleased that the class action lawsuit will advance, despite Judge Herman's decision that the NDHRC will not be directly involved as a plaintiff. Judge Herman's decision means that some complainants will receive the administrative hearing that the 2001 legislation mandated, overturning the decision of the North Dakota Department of Labor and the North Dakota Attorney General that those complainants were not entitled to administrative hearings. And, Judge Herman was very clear that the underlying purpose of the North Dakota Human Rights Act, to eradicate discrimination "root and branch", must be fulfilled.
Cheryl Bergian
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The Forum published the following front-page article about the hearing:
Human rights case upheld: Judge says 2 denied
discrimination hearings
North Dakota Labor Commissioner Mark Bachmeier wrongfully denied at least two people the right to have discrimination complaints formally heard, a judge determined Tuesday.
East Central District Judge Douglas Herman ruled Richard Folstrom and Christopher Beeter should be granted administrative hearings in an attempt to settle their grievances – a stipulation required by a 2001 state law.
Folstrom and Beeter were part of a class-action lawsuit filed in March against Bachmeier and the Labor Department for failure to properly enforce the state's Human Rights Act.
In 2000, the state created a division of human rights within the Labor Department to handle certain kinds of discrimination complaints.
Mark Schneider, the Fargo attorney who filed the lawsuit, said Bachmeier isn't doing his job and isn't enforcing the law.
The case was heard Tuesday in the Cass County Courthouse's smallest courtroom, which could barely accommodate the 20 or more people inside, including two wheelchairs that had to squeeze between the aisles.
<snip>
View full article here
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2.) North Dakota Human Rights Coalition Position on Anti-Gay Marriage ND Constitutional Amendment
The NDHRC Board of Directors has established a position on the proposed anti-gay marriage constitutional amendment. The position and proposed amendment is as follows:
North Dakota Human Rights CoalitionPosition onProposed Constitutional Amendment to Prohibit Gay Marriage or Civil Unionsin North Dakota
The North Dakota Human Rights Coalition opposes the proposed North Dakota constitutional amendment to prevent the recognition of marriage or civil unions for same-sex couples.
The NDHRC supports full civil rights for all residents of North Dakota, including gay/lesbian/transgender/bisexual residents of our state. Neither enshrining discrimination in our Constitution nor stripping families of basic protections would serve our state’s best interest. The North Dakota Constitution protects and ensures equal treatment for all people. It should not be used to single out a group of people for harmful and detrimental treatment.
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Text of proposed North Dakota Constitutional Amendment
Marriage consists only of the legal union between a man and a woman. No other domestic union, however denominated, may be recognized as a marriage or given the same or substantially equivalent legal effect.
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The information that the NDHRC Board of Directors used to adopt this position is available on the NDHRC web site at http://www.ndhrc.org/Goals/NDHRAct/GayMarriageAmmendmentPosition.htm. Please note that the NDHRC position is regarding the status of marriage in our civil society; this will not affect how religious bodies view gay marriage within their theologies.
The NDHRC views this as a civil rights issue, squarely within the civil rights issues of recent times, including those of black Americans and Native Americans. It is on that basis that this position was adopted.
Please feel free to contact me should you have any questions. We appreciate your continued support for our work.
Cheryl Bergian
North Dakota Human Rights Coalition
The North Dakota Human Rights Coalition works to effect change so that all people in North Dakota enjoy full human rights.
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3.) Fight the Anti-Gay Marriage Amendment Initiative!
Message from Equality North Dakota:
PLEASE DISTRIBUTE
WIDELY AND FREELY!
********************************************* Newspaper Articles *********************************************
4.) Bismarck Tribune, Group wants marriage defined in constitution
Sherri Paxon is a Board of Directors member for the North Dakota Human Rights Coalition.
Group wants marriage defined in constitution By Dale Wetzel, Associated Press Writer Published in Bismarck Tribune – 5/27/2004
A group plans to wage a
petition campaign for a North Dakota constitutional amendment to define marriage
as the union of a man and woman.
<snip>
View full article here
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5.) Grand Forks Herald, Dorreen Yellow Bird Column: All people are created equal -- or are they?
DORREEN YELLOW BIRD COLUMN: All people are created equal -- or are they? Grand Forks Herald – 6/8/2004
And then, it seems, people gave their own interpretation to these words that perhaps some men are more equal than others.
It seems, in this age, where our footprints can be seen in the desert sands of the Middle East, snowdrifts of Siberia or the lush forest of Africa, these words should hold more meaning for all people.
The Civil Rights Act was one of President John F. Kennedy's legacies to our nation. It wasn't easy to get the act through Congress, with an especially difficult fight with legislators from the South. It was the mastery of parliamentary procedure of President Lyndon B. Johnson who finally got the bill signed July 2, 1964.
As I read and reread the act, some parts amazed me. All people, including ethnic people, shall be entitled to the full and equal enjoyment of places and activities. They are such simple words that we take for granted today. Were they really necessary 40 years ago?
<snip>
View full article here
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6.) Associated Press, Fargo holds its first Pride parade
Fargo holds
its first Pride parade Published by Bismarck Tribune – 6/8/2004
FARGO --
There were no floats, fire engines or marching bands, but an estimated 150
marchers, spanning two city blocks, took part in this city's first Pride parade.
The parade
was a new addition to FM Pride, an annual gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender
community celebration now in its third year.
<snip>
View full article here
********************************************* Events *********************************************
A calendar of events is available on the NDHRC web site at http://www.ndhrc.org/Events/Calendar/June.htm.
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7.) 2004 Training-of-Trainers Workshop: Human Rights as a Tool for Organizing, July 28 – August 1, Fargo
Date: Wednesday July 28th thru Sunday August 1st Location: Cultural Diversity Resources, Human Rights Center, 303 Roberts Street, Fargo, ND
Who should apply: Educators, students, community organizers, social activists, or those engaged in human rights training in the United States. A particular interest exists for the participation of minorities and refugee/Immigrants.
Workshop goals: To practice deep listening and understanding of diverse perspectives and experiences with regard to the role organizing plays in our life and work
To share effective techniques and processes for building healthy communities and alliances for organizing
To enhance understanding about methodologies used in human rights education
To expose the diverse ways human rights education is occurring in the United States
To explore the connection between human rights education and community organizing theory and practices
To expand knowledge of human rights framework, concepts, theory, and practice
To share human rights education, and organizing, materials and strategies for training and advocacy
To explore effective practices for facilitating conflicts
To increase the network of qualified human rights trainers in the United States
Most people in the United States don’t understand that human rights apply to them. Human rights education facilitates social change organizing through action-oriented sharing that is connected to and built upon people’s everyday lives. Human rights education encourages people to frame injustices as human rights violations. From many struggles, human rights education can help us build ONE MOVEMENT.
For more information and an application contact Tai Leathers at Cultural Diversity Resources, (701) 526-3000.
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8.) 22nd Annual International Peace Festival, June 18-20
Message from the event organizer:
Just a note to all of my peace loving friends. The 22nd Annual International Peace Festival is happening June 18-20 at the International Peace gardens in the Old Historic Lodge. Generally people camp in tents or trailers, and some just take sleeping bags and sleep on the floor in the lodge. There are indoor washrooms there and in a nearby shower house.
It's a very relaxed format that starts Friday evening as people drift in from Fargo, Moorhead, Bismarck, Brandon, Winnipeg, Minot, and other communities in the areas surrounding the Peace Gardens and Turtle Mountain Park. On Friday there are contributions from everyone who arrives, in the way of snack food laid out for all to share. Cold beverages, fruit and raw veggies are available, as well as the traditional pot of steaming chai.
The weekend includes several workshops on positive things people are doing to make this planet a more peaceful place. Topics include pro- peace work at various levels of community, respecting the living things on the planet and how they can be balanced (organic farming is one example), and honoring cultural knowledge for a healthy people and environment.
Saturday morning begins with a pancake breakfast, provided by the Canadian participants. Lunch is soup, salad, and sandwiches (pot luck from whatever people bring to share) and dinner is an East Indian feast from the heavens. (Some of our American friends prepare this delicious array of treats.) Plenty of time is allowed for games, dancing and singing together. All activities are encouraged, but optional. The festival runs on small donations from people who come to enjoy and learn. There is no set amount, and donations are put into a jar entirely on an honor system.
The last few years we have gone on a moonlit walk to the Peace Towers, which are lit up at night. It's become a special and enjoyable tradition. A few people drive and shuttle weary-footed ones back if needed.
Sunday we have breakfast (pot-luck) that may include oatmeal porridge, toast, fruit, yogurt, etc. For the food preparation and clean up, many hands make light work, and we have a lot of fun in the big kitchen. There is a long tradition of people sharing the work and pitching in. Not sure what to do? Just ask! Sunday after breakfast we meet in a big sharing circle and each person has an opportunity to offer their comments and suggestions about the festival. We usually wind up with three or four songs and join-in drumming before saying good-bye, gathering our things, breaking camp, and leaving the lodge clean and tidy.
For more information visit the International Peace Garden website at http://www.peacegarden.com/.
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9.) 2004 North Dakota Immigrant Access Forum, August 5, Fargo
Date: Thursday, August 5, 2004
Location: Holiday Inn, 3803 13th Avenue South, Fargo, North Dakota
Sponsors: Lutheran Social Services, Center for New Americans; North Dakota Department of Public Instruction; North Dakota Department of Human Services; U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food & Nutrition Services; Equal Employment Opportunity Commission; and U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
Federal and State speakers will discuss: 1. The rights of immigrants to access Federally subsidized services and programs 2. The protections afforded immigrants under Federal civil rights laws pertaining to employment/labor; TANF; HIPAA; food assistance; Medicaid; INS issues; education; housing limited English proficiency; and Medicare/prescription drug program.
Expected participants: Social service and health care providers, immigrant advocates, and beneficiaries.
Contact information: For questions contact Anna Spradlin (1-800-368-1019 or 1-303-844-7902 or anna.spradlin@hhs.gov) at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office for Civil Rights.
Cost: Estimated cost $25, CEU’s pending, and brochures forthcoming
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10.) Announcement from the NDHRC about the Fargo Human Relations Commission
There may be three open positions on the Fargo Human Relations Commission as of July 1. As a member of the FHRC, I encourage anyone in Fargo who is interested in being on the Fargo Human Relations Commission to contact Dan Mahli at DMMahli@ci.fargo.nd.us or 476-4144, or apply online at http://www.ci.fargo.nd.us/application/. You don't have to be a Fargo resident to be on the FHRC, just have a connection to Fargo (i.e., working in Fargo). Please let others know about this possibility - it would be wonderful if Mayor Furness had lots of people to choose from in this appointment. I'd be happy to talk with anyone about what the time commitment might be. More information about the FHRC is at http://www.ci.fargo.nd.us/Planning/HRC/. Cheryl Bergian
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11.) Native Vote 2004
The Native Vote 2004 Campaign is an extensive national non-partisan effort to mobilize the American Indian and Alaska Native vote in collaboration with regional organizations, local tribal governments, centers serving the Indian populations of urban centers, and non-governmental organizations whose focus is on democracy initiatives.
For a more in-depth explanation of the purpose of the 2004 Native Vote Campaign, please read Optimizing Our Power at the Polls.
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12.) North Dakota Progressive Coalition Job Announcement, Minot Community Organizer
The North Dakota Progressive Coalition is hiring a full-time community organizer in the Minot area. The position will organize low- and moderate-income people in the Minot area to advocate for themselves for economic and social justice; and organize the local progressive network and its campaign for economic and social justice. Qualifications include strong communication skills, ability to work independently and as part of a team with a diversity of people, and commitment to progressive social and economic justice. The NDPC is a statewide coalition of 34 member organizations working to build connections among diverse communities for progressive economic and social justice. The community organizer will report to the Executive Director. The NDPC is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
For additional information contact Don Morrison, North Dakota Progressive Coalition, 410 E. Thayer Ave. Ste. 2, Bismarck, ND 58501. (Phone) 701-224-8090.
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13.) Save the Date – Next Town Hall Meeting, July 21, Bismarck
From the Bismarck Mayor’s Committee on Human Relations:
The next Mayor's Town Hall Meeting (being sponsored by the Mayor's Human Relations Committee and the North Dakota Fair Housing Council) will held the evening of July 21st at the Best Western Doublewood Inn. Start time to be determined. Based upon the evaluations received previously, the meeting will again focus on race/national origin discrimination in the Bismarck community but will be a follow-up to the previous meeting. Initial plans include a limited number of panels and more audience interaction through discussion and small group break-outs to draft an Action Plan for eliminating discrimination in Bismarck and advancing diversity.
We will need strong community presence (again) and want attendees to be an active piece of the process. It is our community and we need to work together to effect change.
An agenda and registration flyer will be distributed in June...we will also be looking again for endorsers for the event as well.
We are also tentatively considering a Town Hall on disability issues this fall/winter (depending on funding) based upon evaluations received.
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14.) SAVE THE DATE, North Dakota Human Rights Coalition Conference, November 5 & 6, 2004, Bismarck
!!! SAVE THE DATE !!! Friday, November 5 & Saturday, November 6, 2004 North Dakota Human Rights Coalition 2nd Annual Conference“Human Rights: The Economic Impact of Discrimination”
Location: Best Western Ramkota Hotel 800 South Third Street Bismarck, ND 58504
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15.) Knowing & Understanding Your Rights is the First Step in Receiving Equal Rights
Learn how to attain your rights
1st Thursday of
Each month 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
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North Dakota Human Rights Coalition P.O. Box 1961 Fargo, North Dakota 58107-1961 Phone: (701) 239-9323 Fax: (701) 478-4452 Email: humanrights@ndhrc.org
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