ABERDEEN, S.D – CIVIL Rights – On Friday, March 24, 2017, the South Dakota Advisory Committee to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights will convene a public panel session to examine the subtle effects of racism in the state. The meeting will take place at the Public Safety Building, 114 2nd Avenue SE, Aberdeen, SD 57401, from 1:00 pm to 6:00 pm (CDT). This meeting is open to the public, and parking is available on-site.
The Committee will hear testimony from law enforcement, representatives of local, state, and federal agencies, tribal officials, community organizations, and advocacy groups. The session will also address the value of use of body-worn cameras in law enforcement, and minority policing that impacts Native Americans and immigrant communities.
Members of the public will be invited to speak during the open forum, 4:30 pm to 6:00 pm.
The Committee will also accept written testimony submitted to ebohor@usccr.gov by April 24, 2017. This session is the first of three meetings to be held across South Dakota – over the next 12 months – to address the subtle effects of racism in the state.
After all testimony has been received, the Advisory Committee will issue findings and recommendations in a report to the Commission.
Members of the South Dakota Advisory Committee are: Dr. Richard M. Braunstein, Chair; Charles T. Abourezk, Rapid City; Melanie K. Bliss, Sioux Falls; Marcia N. Bunger, Spencer; Scott D. German, Peever; A. Gay Kingman, Rapid City; Lloyd C. LaCroix, Rapid City; Mike J. Levsen, Aberdeen; Renee B. Olson, Waubay; and Ira W. Taken Alive, McLaughlin.
The U.S. Commission on Civil Rights is an independent, bipartisan agency charged with studying and advising the President and Congress on civil rights matters and issuing an annual federal civil rights enforcement report. Advisory Committees to the Commission conduct reviews and produce reports and recommendations concerning state and local civil rights issues. Appointees to the Committees serve four-year terms and are unremunerated.
For more information about the work of the Commission and its Advisory Committees, visit http://www.usccr.gov and follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/usccrgov.
Persons with disabilities requiring reasonable accommodations should contact the Rocky Mountain Regional Office at 303-866-1040 prior to the meeting.