Cedar Rapids Civil Rights Commission
Quarterly Newsletter
January 2020
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Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Activities
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On January 16, 2020, the CRCRC hosted our annual Movie Night, in partnership with the African American Museum of Iowa and the Cedar Rapids Public Library. This year’s feature was “Teach Us All” which looked at how far equality in education has or has not progressed since the Little Rock Nine. Commissioner Dr. White welcomed approximately forty citizens who came to view the film. Investigators Bernie Walther and Stefanie Munsterman-Scriven were also in attendance at the event. Commission brochures on Fair Housing and Know Your Rights were available to the public. Free popcorn was also provided.
On January 17, 2020, the CRCRC hosted a Public Sector Job Fair in partnership with the Cedar Rapids Public Library. The purpose of the job fair was to promote diversity in public sector jobs. Jobs featured included those that are entry level, those requiring only a high school education, and jobs that are part time or seasonal. Several agencies were scheduled to be represented at the event, however, due to poor weather conditions, only the Cedar Rapids Human Resource Department and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) were able to attend. Approximately 24 people stopped and talked with agency representatives at this years event!
Additionally, on January 20, 2020, the CRCRC participated in an event that was held in celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Commissioner Freie and Investigator Stefanie Munsterman-Scriven attended on evening workshop service at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church. At the event, Commissioner Freie and Investigator Stefanie Munsterman-Scriven staffed a display area to provide CRCRC Fair Housing and Know Your Rights brochures. CRCRC’s historic timeline exhibit was also on display. Approximately 25 people engaged our Commission representatives.
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Upcoming Outreach Events
Commissioners and staff will be present at the following events. Be sure to stop by our booth as you attend these great community events!
Community Cultural Celebration & Expo
Saturday, March 7
10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Cedar Rapids Public Library
Housing Resource Fair
Saturday, April 11
10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Cedar Rapids Public Library
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"Human Rights Month" Proclamation
The City of Cedar Rapids presented a "Human Rights Month" proclamation to the Commission at the City Council meeting on December 3, 2019 designating December 2019 as Human Rights Month.
Council member Scott Olson presented the proclamation to Janet Abejo-Parker, the Commission's Acting Executive Director, and Yer Vang, Catholic Charities Director of Immigration Legal Services.
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Staff
Janet Abejo-Parker
Acting Executive Director/Senior Investigator
Bernie Walther
Investigator
Stefanie Munsterman-Scriven
Investigator
Alicia Abernathey
Administrative Assistant/Intake Specialist
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Commissioners
Anthony Arrington
Leland Freie
Salma Igram
Keith Rippy
Esaie Toingar
Linda Topinka
Dr. Ruth White
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Civil Rights Commission Meetings
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Commission meetings are open to the public and occur the third Wednesday of each month at 5:30 PM, with the exception of the December meetings which takes place on the second Wednesday of the month.
Upcoming Meeting Schedule:
- February 19, 2020
- March 18, 2020
- April 15, 2020
- May 20, 2020
- June 17, 2020
- July 15, 2020
- August 19, 2020
- September 16, 2020
- October 21, 2020
- November 18, 2020
- December 9, 2020
All meetings are held at the Veterans Memorial Building, 50 2nd Avenue Bridge, on the 4th floor. Agendas and minutes can be found on our website (
www.cedar-rapids.org/civilrights
).
Any person with a visual impairment or who is deaf or hard of hearing and in need of assistance to participate in any of the meetings should contact Civil Rights at (319) 286-5036 or
civilrights@cedar-rapids.org
at least 48 hours prior to the meeting.
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It is unlawful to discriminate in the areas of
Employment, Education, Public Accommodations, Credit,
and
Housing
.
Complaints of unlawful discriminatory treatment must be based on a person's
Age, Color, Creed, Mental or Physical Disability, Familial Status, Gender Identity, Marital Status, National Origin, Race, Religion, Sex (gender), or Sexual Orientation
. These categories are called protected class characteristics. It is also unlawful to retaliate against a person because such person has lawfully opposed any discriminatory practice.
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