HomeMy WebLinkAboutJuly 20 - Human Rights Immigration_final
City of Edina 4801 W. 50th St. Edina, MN 55424
Contact: Krystal Caron, Communications Coordinator
Phone 952-826-0347 kcaron@EdinaMN.gov EdinaMN.gov
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Human Rights Forum on Immigration to Be Held Aug. 14
Edina, Minn., July 20, 2017 – The Human Rights & Relations Commission (HRRC) will hold its annual Human
Rights Forum 7 p.m. Monday, Aug. 14, at Centennial Lakes Park Hughes Pavilion, 7499 France Ave. S. The
forum, “Contributions of Refugees & Immigrants,” will explore the contributions refugees and immigrants make
in Minnesota communities and some of the conflicts they experience.
“The HRRC is looking forward to engaging the community on the contributions -- economically and socially --
that refugees and immigrants make in Minnesota. We intend to cover how immigration in the U.S. works since
it’s a very complex system,” said Commissioner Heather Edelson. “Our speaking series aims to provide spaces
for the community to learn more about topics relevant and important within our society.”
Attendees will hear from four speakers who have varied perspectives on the issues surrounding immigration:
Stephen Meili is a Professor at the University of Minnesota Law School and the Director of the
Immigration and Human Rights Clinic. The Immigration and Human Rights Clinic represents people
seeking asylum in the United States and detainees at removal hearings in U.S. Immigration Court.
Zaynab Abdi is a human rights advocate and an immigrant. She serves as Refugee Youth Ambassador for
Green Card Voices, an organization that utilizes digital storytelling to share personal narratives of
America’s immigrants in order to help foster tolerance and establish a better understanding between
immigrant and non-immigrant populations.
Emilia Avalos serves as the Executive Director of Navigate, a leadership development program for
immigrant young adults in Minnesota facing financial, social, and legal barriers.
Suud Olat is a refugee and now serves as an advocate for immigrants.
The HRRC held the first event in the Human Rights Series in 2016. The 2016 event, “Leading a Meaningful Life,”
featured an interfaith panel and allowed attendees to have an open dialogue with a variety of faith leaders.
“The first event we held was an interfaith panel and we had great attendance. Several community members
expressed an interest in the speaking series to continue, and that is what we hope to do. We realized at our
first event, residents want a platform to be able to learn more about topics and also hear personal stories. Our
goal is to provide that space for the community in this speaking series.” said Edelson. “This year, immigration
and refugees is a topic everyone is talking about. There is a need to understand what it means to be a refugee
and an immigrant and what the differences are between those two groups.”
To learn more visit EdinaMN.gov or contact City Management Fellow Chante Mitchell at 952-826-0429 or
cmitchell@EdinaMN.gov.
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