UND Nickname & Logo
May 14, 2009 by admin
ND Board of Higher Ed votes to drop UND nickname & logo
North Dakota’s Board of Higher Education voted 8-0 today to get rid of the University of North Dakota’s contentious “Fighting Sioux” nickname and logo.
The decision came quickly after the announcement that UND would not be allowed into the Summit League for athletics until the issue was resolved. UND’s athletic director is reportedly very intersted in joining the league.
As Dr. Gipp notes in his statement (posted below), the NDBHE’s motivations are unclear. We hope, along with many others who have advocated for this change, that equality and human rights were a strong part of their consideration.
UND_President_Robert_O_Kelley’s_statement (PDF)
Dr_David_M_Gipp’s_statement (PDF)
PEPP’s 23rd Annual Meeting: Saturday, May 30
May 13, 2009 by admin
Saturday, May 30, 2009
4-7 p.m.
First Congregational United Church of Christ
406 8th St. S., Moorhead, MN
You are cordially invited to an afternoon of hospitality and social justice. Please join PEPP in celebrating 23 years of grass roots community organizing.
Chef Kenny will be serving up the following free food:
~~~~Menu Entrees~~~~
~Italian Spaghetti & Meatballs~
~~Chicken Garlic Lasagna~~
~~Vegetables include Sweet Corn and~~
Rosemary Candied Carrots
~~Soup Bar with Good Old Fashioned~~
Chicken Noodle and a Hearty Minestrone
~~Salad Bar with three~~
entrees–Potatoe, Cole slaw, and lettuce
~~Bread Bar with both French and Garlic~~
Dessert will be a potluck affair, so those who want to, please bring the dessert of your choice to share.
Beverages right now include coffee and lemonade – water available at the tap or somewhere thereabouts.
Reporter Saberi leaves Iran jail
May 11, 2009 by admin
The US-Iranian journalist jailed in Iran, Roxana Saberi, has been freed from prison after having her sentence for spying reduced.
Lawyers for the 31 year old, whose imprisoning sparked a global outcry, said she left Tehran’s Evin jail hours after her eight-year term was cut.
She will be able to leave the country but has been banned from working as a journalist in Iran for five years.
Ms Saberi was convicted of spying for the US in April but denied the charge.
The BBC’s Tehran correspondent says the charge against her was reduced on appeal to one carrying a lesser sentence.
The case sparked international attention and protests calling for Roxana Saberi to be released.
NDSU Pilot Project: Summer Mentorship Program for Prospective Students with Disabilities – Application Deadline Extended to May 26
May 7, 2009 by admin
This summer mentorship program intends to encourage and prepare students to pursue a university degree in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) majors at the North Dakota State University (NDSU).
This residential program will be held at NDSU from July 6 – 10, 2009. Students will reside on campus throughout the week, participate in mentorship activitieswith NDSU faculty, and get a chance to meet current NDSU students. Along with STEM mentorship activities, fun activities are planned for students to experience the Fargo-Moorhead community.
The number of students admitted to the program is limited.
Application due date has been extended to: May 26, 2009
More information about the Summer Mentorship Program can be found at: http://www.ndsu.edu/ndsu/gajan/pswd.html
Employment Issues and Disability Summit: May 20, Bismarck
May 7, 2009 by admin
Please see the following brochure for more information:
5-20-09-employment-disability-summit-brochure1
Fong: More Elderly and Disabled Homeowners Now Qualify For Homestead Tax Credit
May 7, 2009 by admin
Bismarck, ND –Tax Commissioner Cory Fong announced today that more low-income senior citizens and disabled persons may be able to receive the Homestead Tax Credit for 2009 because of recent changes to the eligibility requirements.
“The 2009 Legislature recently passed Senate Bill 2402 making the credit available to more of our low-income elderly or disabled homeowners,” said Fong.
The Homestead Tax Credit is available to homeowners who are 65 years of age or older, or permanently and totally disabled. Qualified applicants receive a reduction in the property taxes on their primary residence.
“The Homestead Tax Credit is an important program that helps our low-income seniors and disabled homeowners stay in their homes,” said Fong. “The changes made to the program will allow more elderly and disabled homeowners to qualify for the program.”
The 2009 legislation increased the maximum amount of income allowed in order to qualify for the property tax credit. The new income limit is $26,000, after certain deductions. The old income limit was $17,500.
“Raising the income limit makes the program available to more people than before,” said Fong. “We want to get the word out so that everyone who is eligible has a chance to apply for the credit.”
Other changes to the program include raising in the maximum value of the primary residence that may be exempted as well as increasing the value of assets allowed.
Homeowners may apply for the credit by completing the Homestead Credit Application for Senior Citizens and Disabled Persons and sending it to their local assessor or county director of tax equalization. For more information about the program or for the proper application, homeowners should contact their local assessor or county director of tax equalization.
SB 2278 Press Round-Up
May 6, 2009 by admin
In the 2009 legislative session, the North Dakota Human Rights Coalition worked with legislators and many individuals and advocacy groups to pass a bill that would have added sexual orientation and gender identity to the list of protected classes in North Dakota.
The bill, SB 2278, ultimately failed in the House in early April. However the public and institutional support was strong enough that we remain optimistic for GLBT equality in North Dakota.
The bill also garnered a lot of media attention, becoming one of the most talked-about legislative topics of the entire session. From the four simultaneous press conferences annoncing the bill to editorials, op-eds and letters from all sides, the print press is collected in a single PDF.
A special thanks to Fair Housing of the Dakotas for compiling the document, and for working with NDHRC to pass SB 2278.
Equal Rights bill fails in North Dakota House
May 6, 2009 by admin
The following letter went out to members and organizers the afternoon of the bill’s defeat on the House floor in early April:
Just minutes ago, the North Dakota House voted down SB 2278, a bill that would have added sexual orientation and gender identity to the list of protected classes in North Dakota.
Though this single bill has failed, our efforts have not. No state has passed such legislation the first time around — and we, together, exceeded everyone’s expectations.
When equal rights legislation does pass in North Dakota — and it will — we will look back on this as a turning point in the struggle for equality. This was a time when thousands and thousands of North Dakotans stood up and spoke out against discrimination. This was a time when people young and old across the state realized that they are not alone.
Those Representatives that voted against this bill let fear, ignorance and intolerance rule the day. We need to express our disappointment in that.
We also need to thank and lift up those Representatives who voted in favor of the bill, and especially those who spoke so eloquently and bravely in support of its passage.
Everyone in this group made a difference, in votes and in the lives of those that this bill would have affected. We will continue to make a difference. And a greater difference each time we stand in solidarity in support of that which we know to be just and right.
I still support equal rights in North Dakota. I hope you will too. Soon, very soon, we will come together to continue this shared struggle for equality.
In service,
MITCH MARR
Executive Director
North Dakota Human Rights Coalition
Saberi ends hunger strike
May 6, 2009 by admin
U.S. Journalist Jailed In Iran Ends Hunger Strike
by The Associated Press
NPR.org, May 6, 2009 · An American journalist convicted by an Iranian court of spying for the U.S. has ended her hunger strike for health reasons, her father said Wednesday.
Roxana Saberi, a dual Iranian-American national was convicted last month of espionage and sentenced to eight years in prison after a one-day trial behind closed doors.
“Roxana called last night to inform me that she has ended her hunger strike,” Reza Saberi told The Associated Press. “I’m relieved that she has done so to avoid a deterioration of her health.”
VIDEO: Free Roxana Saberi Vigil (NDHRC event)
May 5, 2009 by admin
High Plains Reader and many others, listed below, to host a peaceful rally in support imprisoned journalist Roxana Saberi.
The event wa a great success with several notable speakers including Congressman Earl Pomeroy, Governor John Hoeven and Fargo Mayor Dennis Walaker. NDHRC Executive Director Mitch Marr also spoke.
Special thanks to Tucker Lucas for creating the video!
Free Roxana Saberi: A Hometown Vigil – Saturday, May 2, 2009
Video courtesy of Tucker Lucas
Event organized and sponsored by High Plains Reader, North Dakota Human Rights Coalition, KFGO, The Flag, People Escaping Poverty Project, North Dakota Newspaper Association, North Dakota Broadcasters Association, and KVLY / KXJB Tv / Valley News Live.