Agustin Arbulu, MDCR

Thursday, August 8, the Michigan Department of Civil Rights (MDCR) will host a listening session at the Hispanic Center. It will include lunch and a presentation from MDCR, but will also serve as a listening session for community members to share their specific law enforcement experiences and interactions with the Grand Rapids Police Department (GRPD) that represent challenges to their civil rights.

Lunch will be available beginning at 11:30 a.m. for the first 65 people who register for the event.  The formal meeting starts at noon with a summary of services presentation by MDCR and Hispanic Center announcements.  Beginning at 12:30, community members are invited to share their stories of personal encounters with GRPD with Dr. Agustin Arbulu, MDCR Executive Director, and other department representatives. Testimony or comments cannot be hearsay, but should be the person’s own experience, and not what others have told him or her.  MDCR is collecting these statements as part of their ongoing investigation of the GRPD.

 

Spanish interpretation will be provided, and stories can be submitted in writing the day of the event, or by contacting Gwen Moffit, MDCR Community Engagement Liaison at MoffittG@michigan.gov.  Written submissions will also be accepted in Spanish.

The Michigan Department of Civil Rights investigates complaints, enforces civil rights and fair housing laws, and works to prevent discrimination through educational programs that promote voluntary compliance with civil rights laws. More information at their website.

The MDCR was created by the Michigan Constitution of 1963 to carry out the guarantees against discrimination articulated in Article I, Section 2. As further stated in Article V, Section 29, the state constitution directs the Commission to investigate alleged discrimination against any person because of religion, race, color or national origin and to “secure the equal protection of such civil rights without such discrimination”. Public Acts 453 and 220 of 1976 and subsequent amendments have added sex, age, marital status, height, weight, arrest record, and physical and mental disabilities to the original four protected categories.

RSVP via Eventbrite today. Please encourage friends, clients, and others in your network to attend and participate in this important opportunity.