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Contact Information

Contact Information

Human Rights Commission

Title

Human Rights Commission

Sections

Purpose

The Human Rights Commission was formed in 1968 shortly after the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.  The purpose of the Commission is to advise the City Council in ensuring for all citizens of the city equal opportunity in those areas protected by law and in such other affairs as may affect the social standards of the city.

Minnesota discrimination hotline: 1-833-454-0148

Discrimination Helpline

The Minnesota Department of Human Rights launched a Discrimination Helpline in April 2020. Call 1-833-454-0148. You can also file a report at the Department of Human Rights website.

With the recent tragic events in Georgia, local commissions are being asked to help promote this important resource for making reports of discrimination. According to Stop AAPL Hate, from March 2020 to February 2021, there have been 3,795 bias and discrimination incidents reported against the API community nationally. 

LGBTQ+ Staff Liaison 

The City’s Human Rights Commission Staff Liaison also acts as the City’s LGBTQ+ liaison and serves as an accessible source to the city’s LGBTQ community.  The liaison can elevates LGBTQ+ related concerns to the city manager and other city officials as needed.

HRC/LGBTQ Liaison

Eric Holthaus, Community Outreach and Engagement Manager
952-563-4950

Meeting information

The Commission meets on the third Tuesday of the month from 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. at Bloomington Civic Plaza, Haeg Conference Room, 1800 West Old Shakopee Road. Check the event's calendar entry for conference room details and locations.

Contact the commission

To learn more about the Human Rights Commission and its work, contact the commission at 952-563-8733 or email humanrights@BloomingtonMN.gov.

Members

Mollie Bousu

Term expires:
Commissioner - Human Rights Commission

Thomas Burns

Term expires:
Commissioner - Human Rights Commission

Bennett Childs

Term expires:
Youth Commissioner - Human Rights Commission

Hussein Dahir

Term expires:
Commissioner - Human Rights Commission

Heather Kaminsen

Term expires:
Commissioner - Human Rights Commission

Carol McDonald

Term expires:
Commissioner - Human Rights Commission

Anita Smithson

Term expires:
Chair - Human Rights Commission

Aaliyah Upshaw

Term expires:
Youth Commissioner - Human Rights Commission

Stephanie Wiersma

Term expires:
Vice Chair - Human Rights Commission