According the Minnesota Department of Human Rights, in times of uncertainty, like the COVID-19 pandemic, instances of discrimination and harassment increase, and these issues have been prevalent in communities across Minnesota. The City of Golden Valley remains firm in its stance that it does not condone discrimination or harassment.
Below are tips for spotting and reporting discrimination and harassment.
What constitutes harassment in Minnesota?
Minnesota Statutes Section 609.749 defines harassment as behavior or conduct that causes the victim to feel frightened, threatened, oppressed, persecuted, or intimidated, regardless of the relationship between the harasser and victim.
What should community members do if they are subject to or witness harassment?
If there is an immediate threat to yourself or others, call 911. If the actions or behaviors are not an immediate threat to yourself or others consider the follow approaches.
How should the police respond?
Minnesota Statues Section 626.5531 states a peace officer must report to the head of the officer's department every violation of chapter 609 or a local criminal ordinance if the officer has reason to believe, or if the victim alleges, that the offender was motivated to commit the act by the victim's race, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, or characteristics identified as sexual orientation.