On December 10, 1948, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the first agreement among countries around the world recognizing the rights that we all hold as human beings, was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly. For this reason, December 10 has been designated as Human Rights Day. 

This year, the City of Minneapolis passed a Resolution honoring December 10 as Human Rights Day, and has requested that the 35W bridge be lit in blue and white, the colors of the United Nations flag on that day.

Also, December 10 at 11AM, we invite you to join a virtual panel discussion sponsored by the City of Minneapolis, the City of St. Paul and the United Nations Association Minnesota Chapter addressing human rights challenges faced here in our communities, from the death of George Floyd to the disproportionate health, economic and social impacts of COVID-19.

The panel discussion, moderated by Minneapolis Department of Civil Rights attorney Abdifatah Mohamed, will focus on how we squarely face our own human rights record and commit to actionable steps as our communities process the traumas of 2020, and will include the following speakers:

• Valerie Jensen, Director of the Department of Human Rights and Economic Inclusion, City of Saint Paul
• Rachel Pittman, Executive Director, United Nations Association of the USA
• The Honorable LaJune Lange, Honorary Consul of South Africa in Minnesota and former District Court Judge
• Bosteya Jama, community leader and former co-Executive Director of the Cedar-Riverside Community Council (invited, not confirmed)
• Amy Bergquist, senior staff attorney of the Advocates for Human Rights, and member of the Minneapolis Civil Rights Commission

This event will also be livestreamed on Facebook, on the pages of the UN Association Minnesota Chapter, City of Minneapolis, and City of St. Paul.

Register

Register to attend the virtual panel discussion, and check back for updates to the program

Learn More

To learn more about Human Rights and Human Rights Day, visit the United Nations, the University of Minnesota, and the Advocates for Human Rights.

Where to get immigration assistance

If you or someone you know needs immigration help, please contact the City of Minneapolis Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs, or see this list of trusted nonprofit legal service providers.  Through relationships with immigration legal service partners, the City of Minneapolis demonstrates its commitment to residents, by making sure that residents with immigration questions are connected to safe and trusted providers.