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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Special Edition:
Programs ~ Announcements ~ Updates ~ Resources
Monday, April 30, 2007 North Dakota Human Rights News
Hello members and friends of the North Dakota Human Rights Coalition! Select individual headings to view specific content. Thank you for reading.
SPECIAL EDITION: "Local student victim of hate crime at MSUM" (related items highlighted)
March Scheduled at MSUM in reaction to hate crime
NEWS: Native American Nicknames / Mascot News WDAY interview: Paul Marquardt, hate crime victim
Do you have a Program, Announcement, Update or Resource that you would like shared on our weekly PAUR report? If so, please send an email to HumanRights@NDHRC.org and we will do our best to accommodate you.
Please Note: The NDHRC distributes a weekly PAUR report to inform our members and friends about news, events, and other human rights related information around the state. The opinions expressed within the articles are those of the authors and are not endorsed by the NDHRC.
We need your help and support to make a difference. Your individual advocacy is invaluable. Please consider making a monetary donation to help support the NDHRC's work. Send your donations to NDHRC, P.O. Box 1961, Fargo, ND 58107-1961 or make a donation online by visiting www.ndhrc.org. Free memberships are also available.
New NDHRC members: as a membership benefit you have received an e-mail subscription of our weekly e-mail newsletter, the NDHRC PAUR Report. If you would like to be removed from the PAUR Report mailing list, please send an email to humanrights@ndhrc.org.
NEW: Local student victim of hate crime at MSUM
Thursday night on the campus of Minnesota State University a hate crime was
committed against a member of the GLBT community. Paul Marquardt, a
senior at MSUM, was attacked by four young men after leaving the library that
night. The incident is being called a hate crime by both the Moorhead Police and
the media.
(Information gathered from Fargo-Moorhead Ten Percent Society listserv, issued in a statement. More information will be posted as available.)
Messages of support for Paul can be sent to either of the following addresses. The Ten Percent Society will forward any emails or notes on to Paul. tenpercentsociety@yahoo.com (just put something about Paul in the subject line) or Paul Marquardt c/o Ten Percent Society, 116 Memorial Union, Fargo, ND 58105.
NEW: Consider Becoming a Board Member for the North Dakota Women's Nework (NDWN ) The Women’s Network is seeking new applicants for our Board of Directors. This year, there are four positions available. The Board holds an extremely important role in creating and carrying out the actions of the organization. The Board will set policies and goals for the organization. As a member, I hope you would consider submitting an application to be a board member. During the last year, the North Dakota Women’s Network has been actively involved in building the organization and engaging in activities to improve the status of women in North Dakota. Members formed committees to establish the work of the Women’s Network – budget/fundraising, legislative, sustainability, public relations, focus group, annual meeting. The Women’s Network conducted focus groups throughout the state to assess the needs of North Dakota women. The engagement of members and the discussions with women will be the guidepost for the organization to solve the concerns of women in North Dakota. We asked many members to submit a survey with their membership. A few issues have been emerging as important concerns faced by women today. Most notably, pay equity and economic security. 60% of all respondents (66 respondents) listed this as one of their top three concerns, and made a resounding declaration that the pay gap still exists. This is not surprising, as research continues to show women’s economic security lags behind our male peers. Women earn 77 cents for every dollar a man earns; for minority women the gap is even larger. The Women’s Network can play a vital role in addressing this issue, among other concerns. Issues of violence, political representation, and reproductive rights are top concerns for many North Dakota women. NDWN’s Board is given the task to look at these concerns and craft a response and solutions. The membership asks that the Women’s Network keep women informed and be the voice for North Dakota Women. I hope you will consider applying for a position on the board. There are four open positions on the board. Attached is information to help you in your consideration of applying: A one-page description of the organization, NDWN’s bylaws, a job description, and the application. Applications are due to Renee Stromme by May 18, 2007, which can be either emailed or sent postal mail. Please contact Renee with any questions. The new members of the board will be voted on at the Women’s Network annual meeting on June 15, 2007. Renee Stromme, Executive Director, North Dakota Women's Network: 418 E Rosser #301B, Bismarck, ND 58501. (701) or (888) 255-6240 ext 21 or renee@ndwomen.org
A committee in Grand Forks has been working on establishing a Grand Forks Human Relations Commission. The group is currently seeking allies in the community and drafting an ordinance to present to the City Council this fall. Please join the next monthly meeting on Monday, May 14 at the Grand Forks Public Library Meeting Room from 6:30-8:30. For more information, please contact mitchmarr@ndhrc.org. Directions available upon request and through upcoming Action Alerts.
Hate Crimes Updates:
Did you know that current federal hate crime laws don't protect everyone? We've had a federal hate crimes law on the books since 1969, and it has never included crimes targeting victims because of their gender, gender identity, sexual orientation or disability. Congress is about to consider a bill that would change that and ensure all bias motivated crimes based on a person's sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, disability, race, religion, color and national origin are covered. It would also help underfunded law enforcement officials investigate and prosecute hate crimes. Tell your representative to support this bill at: Here's something else that shocked me: one in six hate crimes are motivated by the victim's sexual orientation. And the federal government can't even investigate most of these crimes or help bring the criminals to justice. That's outrageous! In past years, right wing groups have successfully blocked attempts to expand hate crimes laws. They're gearing up for another fight now, so we need to make sure our representatives do the right thing and support this landmark law. Click here to send your message: In my mind, there's no question that including hate crimes protections for GLBT Americans in federal law doesn't constitute "special treatment," as some right wing groups would have us believe - there's nothing special about wanting to live safely and without fear of violence. That's something everyone deserves. Thanks for joining me. http://www.hrcactioncenter.org/campaign/fighthate_house?rk=q11ysb41j5AlW
Take action against hate crimes! Andrew Anthos was a 72-year-old patriot who loved his country so much that he led a one-man campaign to light the Michigan state capitol in red, white and blue every 4th of July. He was also gay. Andrew was riding a city bus in Detroit in February when a man asked him whether he was gay. After Andrew got off the bus, the man trailed him and then beat him on the head with a pipe. Andrew was rushed to the hospital, paralyzed from the neck down. He didn’t recover. Ten days later, on February 23, Andrew passed away from his injuries. Hate crimes happen in this country alarmingly often. According to the National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs, 1,985 hate crimes motivated by anti-lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender violence were committed in 2005. Nine of those attacks were murders. The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, Inc., has been working with our partners at the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights to pass a federal hate crimes law that includes sexual orientation and gender identity. We’ve worked hard to ensure that any legislation clearly covers crimes motivated by anti-transgender bias. On Thursday, we’ll proudly be at a press conference on Capitol Hill to applaud the introduction of a Senate bill that matches transgender-inclusive legislation already introduced in the House. The fact that both bills mirror each other signals that Congress is poised to take swift action this year to finally address these heinous crimes. But it won’t happen without your help. Join our efforts to urge members of the House and Senate to take action right now! You can also call your elected officials and tell them to vote for the Local Law Enforcement Enhancement Act. Call the Capitol Switchboard at 202.224.3121 and ask to be connected to your Representative or Senator. Please, take action today. The legislation is expected to be introduced in the Senate tomorrow, and the House bill is being heard in committee next week. Now is when your elected officials need to know you care about passing this bill. The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, Inc. (“NGLTF, Inc.”), founded in 1974, works to build the grassroots political power of the LGBT community to win complete equality. We do this through direct and grassroots lobbying to defeat anti-LGBT ballot initiatives and legislation and pass pro-LGBT legislation and other measures. We also analyze and report on the positions of candidates for public office on issues of importance to the LGBT community. NGLTF, Inc. is a 501(c)(4) non-profit corporation incorporated in New York. Contributions to NGLTF, Inc. are not tax-deductible.
Disabilities Fact Sheet: On July 26, 1990, President George H. W. Bush signed into law the Americans with Disabilities Act, guaranteeing equal opportunity for people with disabilities in public accommodations, commercial facilities, employment, transportation, state and local government services and telecommunications. View the full fact sheet, here, on the NDHRC website. Below, we’ve highlighted a few facts: * 51.2 million people have some level of disability. They represent 18 percent of the population. * 10.7 million people age 6 and older need personal assistance with one or more activities of daily living (such as taking a bath or shower) or instrumental activities of daily living (such as using the telephone). * 2.7 million people age 15 and older use a wheelchair. Another 9.1 million use an ambulatory aid such as a cane, crutches or walker. * 1.8 million people age 15 and older report being unable to see. * 1 million people age 15 and older report being unable to hear. * 2.6 million people age 15 and older have some difficulty having their speech understood by others. Of this number, 610,000 were unable to have their speech understood at all. * 11.8 million of 16- to 64-year-olds who reported the presence of a medical condition that makes it difficult to find a job or remain employed. * 56% of people ages 21 to 64 having some type of disability and also employed in the last year. The rate ranged from 82 percent of those with a nonsevere disability to 43 percent with a severe disability. For those without a disability, the rate is 88 percent. * $22,000 is the median earnings for people with a nonsevere disability. This compares to $25,000 for those with no disability and $12,800 for those with a severe disability. * 11% is the poverty rate for people ages 25 to 64 with a nonsevere disability. This compares to 26 percent for those with a severe disability and 8 percent of those without a disability.
May is Mental Health Month For a complete calendar, visit www.ndhrc.org, or access directly here.
NDSU Rural Leadership North Dakota (RLND) Program Seeking Participants
Hate Crimes Bill Introduced in the House
of Representatives
NEW: Rally Planned for GLBT & Campus Safety In response to the
bias-motivated assault (hate crime) that took place against Paul Marquardt, FM
TPS is leading a march on the MSUM campus. Make a statement and take a stand
against hate and raise awareness of campus security issues. Meet in the F Lot on
Thursday, May 3rd at 8 p.m. and begin marching by 8:30 pm. We will march
from the F Lot to Nelson Hall and back.
NEW: Tri-College NEW Leadership Development Institute: Diane Meyer Keynote Address by Demetria Martinez *for the Tuesday May 15, 2007, 6:30pm, North Dakota State University, Beckwith Auditorium. A public reception will follow the address. Demetria Martinez is an author, activist, lecturer and columnist. Her acclaimed book "Mother Tongue" is based in part upon her 1988 trial for conspiracy against the U.S. government in connection with transporting Salvadoran refugees into the country. A religion reporter at the time covering the faith-based Sanctuary Movement, she was found not guilty on First Amendment grounds. Born in Albuquerque, NM in 1960, where she now resides, Martinez earned her BA from Princeton University’s Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs. Martinez teaches at the annual June writing workshop at the William JoinerCenter for the Study of War and Social Consequences at the University of Mass., Boston.In New Mexico she is active with Enlace Comunitario, an immigrants’ rights group that serves Spanish-speaking victims of domestic violence. The Tri-College National Education for Women’s (NEW) Leadership Development Institute is a five-day residential program aimed at promoting public and community leadership among women of diverse backgrounds. It is being sponsored by Tri-College University and will be held May 13-17, 2007 at North Dakota State University. Tri-College NEW Leadership is made possible through generous financial support from friends and family of Diane Meyer, the Otto Bremer Foundation, North Dakota State University, Minnesota State University Moorhead, the Women’s Foundation of Minnesota, Church of the Nativity Social Justice Fund Concordia College, the Fargo-Moorhead Area Foundation Women’s Fund, Fargo-Moorhead branch and members of AAUW, Soroptimist International of Moorhead, Soroptimist International of Fargo, Cass County Bar Association, the Fargo Human Relations Commission, and other individual contributors. For information please contact Deborah White at 218-477-2041 or whitede@mnstate.edu
NDHRC launches "Close to Home: Human Rights Here & Now" "Close to Home" is a three-year, statewide human rights education project. Human rights workshops, free and open to the public, will be held in 36 counties across North Dakota. The workshops will introduce international human rights concepts, review U.S. policy regarding those rights, and explain how those rights apply in North Dakota. The workshops have been created in partnership with the UND School of Law Clinical Education Program. Students from the program will not only lead the workshops, but also act as a resource to provide support for human rights violations in legal actions. A complete list of projected sites (36 over 3 years) will be posted soon. Please contact us about any resources - workshop spaces, local ally groups, etc. - in your area. These workshops will only be successful with interest from you and your local group or community. "Close to Home" is made possible through funding from the U.S. Human Rights Fund, a collaborative fund comprised of nine national and regional donors. View the press release regarding the initial grant award here. For more information, contact Mitch: (701) 793-1134 or mitchmarr@ndhrc.org
NDHRC announces 5th Annual Conference Mark your calendars today! NDHRC and the Professional Issues conference are collaborating on a conference, "The Human Rights Umbrella: Removing Barriers to Full Participation," scheduled for Fri.-Sat., Oct. 19 & 20. The conference will feature tracks focused on human rights, GLBT, disability, and New American issues. In those tracks, presenters will cover topics such as education, law, diversity issues, activism, health & human services, and spirituality. Watch for e-mail updates or click here for details (updated as information is available).
“Uniting Our Families”-May 4th & 5th in Bismarck at the Comfort Inn. Hosted by ND Vision Services/School for the Blind & Family Team. This event is for families who have children with visual impairments. Contact ND Vision Services/School for the Blind for more information at 1-800-421-1181.
Third
Annual Clinical Forum on Mental Health: Turning Knowledge into Practice!
May 15-16-17, 2007, Pre-Conference, May 15 Seven Seas Inn & Convention Center-
Mandan, North Dakota A preliminary Schedule at a Glance is posted on the Web
site. Updates will be made very soon with more detail. The Web site is
www.conted.und.edu/clinicalforum
. REGISTRATION INFORMATION: Your complete registration brochure will be
mailed to you at a later date. Registration is available now through our secure
server, or you can print a PDF of the registration form, on our Web site:
Save the Date, Family Connections Conference Mark Your Calendar … June 13-16, 2007 The Family Connections Conference helps North Dakota families of children with special needs and the professionals who support them to collaborate. The conference will be held at Best Western Doublewood Inn in Fargo North Dakota. For more information Contact NDCPD at 1-800-233-1737 (toll free) or 701-858-3580, or e-mail at haarstad@minotstateu.edu.
Fair Housing of the Dakotas sponsors: Fundamentals of Fair Housing Workshops Agenda: What is Housing Discrimination? ** The Federal Fair Housing Act ** State Human Rights/Fair Housing Laws ** Complaint Filing & Investigative Process ** Advertising & Applications ** Reasonable Accommodations and Modifications ** New Design and Construction ** Occupancy Standards ** Updated Case Law Workshops have been scheduled for the following dates and communities for 2007: • May 22: 1:00-4:45 PM, Airport International Inn, 3601 2nd Avenue West, Williston, ND • June 21: 1:00-4:45 PM, Travel Lodge, 3300 W. Russell Street, Sioux Falls, SD • Save the Dates: Check our website (www.ndfhc.org) for tentative dates for Fargo, Chamberlain, Grand Forks, Minot & Rapid City or for updates on continuing education credits. A registration flyer for these workshops will be distributed at a later date. Attendance is free but advance registration is required to ensure adequate seating and materials. Space may be limited at some workshops. Materials available in alternative formats upon request. Coffee and soft drinks will be provided. If you have any questions, please contact the Fair Housing of the Dakotas: 701-221-2530 or 1-888-265-0907 (toll-free)
Hjemkomst Voyage 25th Anniversary: The Dream Lives On - 6-month Commemoration May 11, 2007: Sail-Raiser (a fundraiser for the HHIC) - 25 years ago to the day the Hjemkomst ship set sail for Norway. Enjoy Gourmet Scandinavian Hors D'Oeuvres, meet Hjemkomst Crew Members, watch the Hjemkomst sail being raised by Hjemkomst Crew Members with Community Members. For ticket information call: (218) 299-5511. June 19, 2007: Collaborative Event with Scandinavian Festival (TBA) Tuesday Night Programming (TBA): Topics include Hjemkomst Crew and Family, Scandinavian Immigration, Viking History. Contact Person: Michelle Kittleson - 218-299-5511 x222
Bismarck-Mandan GLBT Pride Fest July 27-29, 2007 :: GLBT Pride Event to be Themed “United for Equality”
Bismarck, ND – March 5, 2007 – Dakota OutRight, a non-profit organization
that serves as a community resource and provides gay, lesbian, bisexual, and
transgender (GLBT) diversity education, has announced that they will celebrate
their fourth GLBT Pride Fest July 27-29, 2007 at Eagles Park, Bismarck. Pride
Fest is a unique time to celebrate unity within the GLBT community and allies in
western and central North Dakota. All friends and family of the GLBT community
are invited to join in any of the activities during the weekend festival.
AFP and NDANO co-host non-profit conference in Fargo Creating Common Ground for Growth, an educational conference on nonprofit funding will be held June 3-5 at the Ramada Plaza Suites and Conference Center, Fargo. The conference will feature excellent speakers and educational tracks, as well as opportunities for networking. More than 200 nonprofit professionals, board members and volunteers from throughout the Midwest are expected at the event to gain quality training at a very reasonable cost. Save the dates now.
NAACP chapter starting in ND: A group out of Grand Forks has laid the groundwork for a North Dakota chapter of the NAACP. North Dakota is one of only two states in the United States without a chapter of the organization. Stay posted for notices of future meetings and events. Right now, the group needs members in order to get a charter from the national NAACP. The membership is $30.00, and checks can be made out to, and sent to: Northern Lights Chapter of NAACP, P.O. Box 12142, Grand Forks, ND 58208-2142. The Mission Statement of the NAACP: "...to ensure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of rights for all persons and to eliminate racial hatred and racial discrimination."
Pride Collective & Community Center now
accepting Board Member applications
Local GLBT Social/Discussion Group
Ten Percent Society
www.fmtps.com
Volunteer or Intern with Planned Parenthood! “MAKE A DIFFERENCE. IN HER LIFE. IN HIS LIFE. IN YOUR LIFE.” Planned Parenthood Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota has provided our community with education and confidential reproductive health care at an affordable cost for more than 70 years. Help us achieve our mission by participating in one of these exciting opportunities: Volunteer and Internship Positions: Reality Checker – Fargo, Bismarck, Minot, Grand Forks Super Activist - Fargo Coffee House Series Committee - Fargo Public Affairs Administrative Assistant - Fargo For more information or to apply, contact ajacobson@ppmns.org or 701.526.0726 , or visit our website at www.ppmns.org.
The Arc of Bismarck & The ND Protection & Advocacy Project staff are collaborating to offer training and support to groups or individuals wishing to participate in the legislative process. For more details or to schedule a workshop that includes information on how a bill becomes a law and how to draft and deliver legislative testimony, please use one of the contact points listed below to schedule an appointment. Please share this in your circles - Thank you! 701-258-7949. joyce@apsimail.com # arcbis@midconetwork.com # tlarsen@nd.gov
Bismarck: Human Relations Video Series
The Bismarck Human Relations Committee in partnership with the Bismarck Public
Library presents a Human Rights Video Series the 3rd Sunday of each month,
3:00 PM, at the Bismarck Public Library, Room C.
Nonprofits Assistance Fund Launches Blog
The Local chapter of the national campaign for the creation of a cabinet level Department of Peace is looking for a few good men and women volunteers, across the state, to team up to lobby for this bill. Please contact State Coordinator and District Team Leader Paddy McLaughlin to see how you might become involved with this powerful bill for peace. Meetings in Fargo at the Center, every 1st & 3rd Tuesday of the month, 8 p.m. Call 701-232-0694 for details. www.thepeacealliance.org Local Peace Circle takes place every Tuesday at 7:00 P.M. at The Center for Peace, 411 11th St. N., Fargo, ND. Please join us as we meditate on, prayer for and envision the conditions necessary for healing and peace on Earth. Contact Paddy McLaughlin, 701-232-0694
Author rejects honor,
citing UND nickname MINNEAPOLIS – Award-winning author Louise Erdrich has said “no” to an honorary degree from the University of North Dakota because of the school’s continued use of the “Fighting Sioux” sports team name and logo.
By Joseph Marks, Herald Staff Writer, Published Friday, April 27, 2007A court ruling Thursday severely restricts the list of documents UND must turn over to the NCAA during the discovery process of the lawsuit over the school's continued use of the Fighting Sioux nickname. http://www.grandforksherald.com/articles/index.cfm?id=35816§ion=News
Judge: UND-NCAA lawsuit
costs 'spiraling out of control' Grand Forks County District Court Judge Lawrence Jahnke told UND and NCAA attorneys today he is concerned about rising attorney fees in the lawsuit over the Fighting Sioux nickname, which he said are "rapidly spiraling out of control.""We owe it to all litigants to keep fees and other expenses in check," he said. http://www.grandforksherald.com/articles/index.cfm?id=35056§ion=News
Judge: No cost control A Grand Forks judge told UND and NCAA attorneys Thursday he is concerned about attorney fees in the Fighting Sioux nickname lawsuit, which he said are “rapidly spiraling out of control.” http://www.grandforksherald.com/articles/index.cfm?id=35089§ion=News
Please send related news items to mitchmarr@ndhrc.org
NEWS: Race & National Origin
VIEWPOINT : Guilt by
association? RIVERSIDE, Calif. - Like so many Americans, I was glued to the television Monday, watching horrifying images of wounded students at Virginia Tech as the day unfolded. But I grew even more troubled when I heard the first reports that the shooter might be Asian. http://www.grandforksherald.com/articles/index.cfm?id=34935§ion=Opinion
‘Amazing progress’ on immigration is not so amazing, and certainly not enough The Minot Daily News: Jim Eykyn, Publisher, Bryan L. Obenchain, Editor You’d have thought that President George Bush would have learned his lesson about “mission accomplished” claims. But no, there he goes again ... During a speech last week, Bush said that “amazing progress” has been made in curbing the flow of illegal immigrants into the United States ... Well, yes, some progress has been made. But the numbers are far from anything amazing. http://www.minotdailynews.com/Editorials/articles.asp?articleID=10493
Thomas Stone Carlson,
Ph.D., Fargo, letter: Sensitivity to race is much appreciated The Anti-Racism Team at North Dakota State University would like to thank Forum Editor Matt Von Pinnon for his column (April 1) acknowledging the racial/ethnic prejudice reflected in an article referring to the dispute between two groups at the Red River Valley Fair last summer. In his editorial, Von Pinnon, insightfully noted that there was no reason to mention the race or nationality of the groups involved in the dispute since there is no evidence that their ethnicity had anything to do with it. http://www.in-forum.com/articles/printer.cfm?id=163547
Sunday, Arpil 29, 10 p.m. - WDAY The original newscast can be viewed at: http://www.wday.com/tv/?page=newscast. Select the 10pm (Sunday) newscast. It's the second story.
Soulforce Equality Riders visit Ellendale, N.D. Group protesting Trinity Bible College's sexuality policy; three women arrested ELLENDALE, N.D. - As singing
rang out across the Trinity Bible College campus Monday, three women began
their walk, bypassing the fence meant to keep them off private property
... Carrying prayer shawls in their arms, the women marched steadily
toward the campus buildings, as about 25 others - many of them
representing the Soulforce Equality Ride, a group rallying against
religion-based discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual and
transgendered people at Christian colleges across the nation - continued
to sing: “Go now in peace. Go now in peace. May the love of God surround
you.”
http://www.aberdeennews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070424/FRONTPAGE/704240315
Same-sex couple makes prom
entrance They arrived an hour later than planned, but the prom entrance of Jakob Paper and Steven Goering on Saturday went smoothly. The young men’s decision to go to Fargo South High School’s prom as a couple spurred debate over whether they should have been allowed in the Grand March and whether their story deserved to be on the front page of The Forum. http://www.in-forum.com/articles/printer.cfm?id=163514
Article on prom creates
debate Two young men who plan to attend Fargo South High School’s prom tonight as a couple say the response they’ve gotten from family, classmates and teachers has been very supportive. http://www.in-forum.com/Opinion/articles/163347
Mitch Marr, Fargo letter: Thanks for
moving conversation along
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