FARGO, N.D. (November 9, 2017) – Fargo Mayor Tim Mahoney has proclaimed Monday, November 13 through Saturday, November 18, 2017, Human Rights Week for the City Fargo. Mayor Mahoney encourages the community to observe the week by reading and studying the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), and by participating in events that encourage diversity of thought and discussion.

A number of events organized by the non-profit organizations The Human Family and the North Dakota Human Rights Coalition are scheduled throughout Human Rights Week, including:

The first annual North Dakota Human Rights Film and Arts Festival

The North Dakota Human Rights Film and Arts Festival will take place Nov. 13-18, 2017, in Fargo, North Dakota. The art exhibition will open on Monday, Nov. 13, at the Spirit Room in downtown Fargo. The exhibition will be available for viewing through Jan. 5, 2018. 22 films from 8 countries will screen at the historic downtown theater in Fargo, North Dakota Wednesday, November 15 to Friday, November 17. The full schedule can be viewed online. Doors open at 6:30, and screenings begin at 7 p.m. each evening. Panel discussions take place nightly after the film screenings. The festival will close on Saturday, November 18 with an Art Reception and Festival Awards Ceremony from 5 – 7 p.m. at Spirit Room. Learn more about the film and art festival at www.human-family.org

The North Dakota Human Rights Summit and Arc of Justice Awards

The North Dakota Human Rights Human Rights Summit will take place Saturday, Nov. 18 from 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. The theme for the event is “Fearless”, and includes a keynote workshop from Victoria McWane-Creek on “Respectful Conversations”. The summit will also include a report on the 2017 North Dakota legislative session, a review of a “Year of Human Rights Abuses”, and the presentation of the 2017 Arc of Justice Awards to individuals or organizations who are doing significant work improving human rights in North Dakota. Learn more about the Human Rights Summit and Arc of Justice Awards at www.ndhrc.org

Tickets for all events can be found at www.human-family.org or www.ndhrc.org. A week-long Human Rights Week All Access pass is available at a discount for individuals wishing to attend all events.

A complete text of the proclamation is below:

• WHEREAS, The Universal Declaration of Human Rights was adopted on December 10, 1948 and expresses the deepest beliefs about the rights that every human being is born with, and set in motion a movement to secure liberty and justice for all people; and
• WHEREAS, The Universal Declaration of Human Rights decrees that, “all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood”; and
• WHEREAS, The City of Fargo is an inclusive community and promotes equality, inclusiveness and equitable environments, and fosters respect for all persons, regardless of race, religion, gender identification, age, ability, or country of origin; and
• WHEREAS, Education and discussion are the pillars of understanding and community building, and our community must press forward to achieve these fundamental rights and freedoms for all persons equally.
• NOW, THEREFORE, I, Timothy J. Mahoney, Mayor of the City of Fargo, do hereby proclaim Monday, November 13, 2017 through Saturday, November 18, as Human Rights Week in the City of Fargo, North Dakota and call upon the community to observe this week by reading and studying the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and by participating in events that encourage diversity of thought and discussion, and for each of us to strive to better our community by ensuring all individuals have these fundamental rights and freedoms.
• IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Seal of the City of Fargo, North Dakota to be affixed this 1^st day of November, 2017.

A full copy of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights will be given to each individual attending the Human Rights Film and Arts Festival.

The mission of the North Dakota Human Rights Film and Arts Festival is to educate, engage and facilitate discussion around local and worldwide human rights topics through the work of filmmakers and artists. 2017 is the inaugural year for both the film and art festivals. The festival was founded and is managed by the non-profit The Human Family, an organization dedicated to promoting human rights and social justice through film and art. Support for the festival comes from: the Fargo Human Relations Commission; the Fargo Native American Commission; African Soul, American Heart; Park Co. Realtors; Bell Bank; Himalayan Yak; Lutheran Social Services of North Dakota, Kensie Wallner Photography; iPitch.tv; Moorhead Massage and Wellness; and the North Dakota Human Rights Coalition.

For more information about the North Dakota Human Rights Film and Arts Festival, visit the Human Family website, www.human-family.org.

Click here for a PDF of this press release.

Click here for a PDF of the Proclamation. 

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