Latest news with #MinnesotaDepartmentofHumanRights
Miami Herald
2 days ago
- Politics
- Miami Herald
Boss told cops to ‘keep an eye on' Muslim worker during prayer, MN suit says
A former employee of a Minnesota transportation agency said religious discrimination and retaliation forced him to leave his job, according to a lawsuit. The complaint — filed June 3 on behalf of Jihad Hamoud, a practicing Muslim — accuses regional planning agency Met Council of disciplining and humiliating him. It says that came after he reported faith-based discrimination, including one occasion where a supervisor directed police to 'keep an eye on' him while he prayed. A spokesperson for Met Council in Saint Paul told McClatchy News in a June 6 email they do not comment on ongoing litigation. 'With its power and resources, Met Council should be setting the standard for what an inclusive and respectful workplace looks like,' Naomi Martin, Hamoud's attorney, said in a June 5 news release. 'That starts with ensuring discrimination and retaliation have no place in its operations — especially by those in supervisory roles.' The lawsuit comes as the state of Minnesota continues to see increases in instances of anti-Muslim hate, attorneys said. Religious discrimination experiences According to the complaint, Hamoud was hired as a bus operator at the agency in 2010 and then transferred to facilities maintenance in 2019. He began recording his experiences after attorneys said he watched a Muslim co-worker experience retaliation by his supervisor. A supervisor made a negative comment directed at Muslim workers, blaming them for making a bathroom dirty during their prayer time, according to the complaint. When Hamoud told his supervisor Muslims are not allowed to pray in restrooms, he didn't apologize or correct his assumption, the complaint said. Hamoud also recorded multiple instances of discrimination with one janitor, according to the complaint. After reporting his experiences, Hamoud was placed on administrative leave, but the janitor continued working, attorneys said. Then, his managers told him to avoid the janitor when he got back to work, according to the complaint. But when Hamoud passed the janitor in a vehicle driven by another worker, his managers accused him of trying to intimidate the janitor, the complaint said. He was then told in a meeting with managers he would be placed on unpaid leave for five days, attorneys said. When he asked why he was being placed on leave, the managers did not say, according to the complaint. Hamoud was then escorted out of the office building by police, according to the complaint. 'This caused Hamoud great emotional distress, including feeling fearful, embarrassed, degraded, humiliated, disrespected, vilified, and discriminated against,' attorneys said. Despite ongoing emails to Met Council leadership after returning to work and continuing to experience religious discrimination, the agency didn't do anything to address it, according to the complaint. Hamoud resigned in May 2022 and filed a discrimination charge against the agency with the Minnesota Department of Human Rights, according to the complaint. The commissioner concluded there was probable cause of retaliation and discrimination against Hamoud twice, in November and January, attorneys said. The complaint asks for monetary compensation for 'lost earnings and benefits, emotional distress, embarrassment, humiliation, and other compensatory damages.' Anti-Muslim discrimination in Minnesota For the past three years, Minnesota has led the country in reported attacks against mosques, according to a report by the Council on American-Islamic Relations. There were 15 recorded incidents targeting mosques in the state in 2024, three times higher than the next highest state for reported attacks, according to the report. Several acts of vandalism, intimidation and discrimination were also reported in the state, the report said.
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Twin Cities leaders criticize Trump DOJ for move to scrap MPD consent decree
A move by the Trump administration to scrap the federal consent decree requiring reforms to Minneapolis Police Department has been condemned by some city and state leaders. The Department of Justice asked a court this week to dismiss the case against the City of Minneapolis, just months after the city finally agreed to a deal with the DOJ – then under the Biden administration – to implement changes to policing in Minneapolis in the wake of George Floyd's murder by then-Sergeant Derek Chauvin. The Trump administration argues that it "no longer believes that the proposed consent decree would be in the public interest," despite the agreement being made following a wide-ranging federal investigation that determined Minneapolis Police Department had engaged in a pattern or practice of conduct that violates the U.S. Constitution and federal civil rights laws. The findings included the use of excessive force, discrimination against Black and Native American people, the violation of the rights people engaged in protected speech, and discrimination against people with disabilities. After news of the DOJ's motion to dismiss broke, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey quickly issued a statement confirming that the city would be pushing on with the reforms anyway, saying: "We will implement every reform outlined in the consent decree – because accountability isn't optional." Changes have already been happening at MPD, which is also the subject of a state-level consent decree struck with the Minnesota Department of Human Rights, which limits officers use of force, use of chemical irritants and tasers, and the use of certain pretext stops as part of wider reforms to tackle "race-based policing" and protecting the civil rights of the community. Here's a look at the reaction to the DOJ's filing, which came just days from the fifth anniversary of Floyd's murder: 'I am deeply disturbed by the Trump administration's decision to abandon the federal consent decree with the Minneapolis Police Department. This decree was based on the Justice Department's own investigation, which found a pattern of unconstitutional and discriminatory policing practices that have hurt our community, especially Black and Native American people and people will mental illness, for decades. "It's especially painful that this decision comes on the eve of the fifth anniversary of George Floyd's murder – the very tragedy that sparked this investigation and the urgent push for reform. I led the call for that federal civil rights investigation because Minnesotans deserve accountability and reform. Walking away from this agreement, after confirming the need for it, is unconscionable." The CUAPB has filed a motion in opposition to the DOJ's move to withdraw the consent decree. "The findings in two thorough investigations by both the Minnesota Department of Human Rights and the US Department of Justice make clear the need for this consent decree. The conditions that lead to the murder of George Floyd continue to this day,' said Michelle Gross, president of CUAPB. It adds: "It is especially outrageous that the Trump administration chose the week of the fifth anniversary of George Floyd's murder to file their motion. This is pouring salt into a wound that remains unhealed." "We are disappointed by the U.S. Department of Justice's decision to remove its support for the federal consent decree with the City of Minneapolis. The reasoning, that there is no longer a public interest need, is short sighted and dismisses the violent and discriminatory history of the Minneapolis Police Department. "This attempt to dismantle critical police accountability measures sends a dangerous message that meaningful reform is optional rather than essential. The consent decree was never about politics – it was about ensuring constitutional policing and rebuilding community trust that has been fractured for generations. "Thankfully, the Minnesota Department of Human Rights will continue with its oversight agreement with the City of Minneapolis to continue transformational changes to address race-based policing by the MPD. We look forward to the efforts from the state's agreements to pursue reform that creates a police department that is focused on safety and can be held accountable for violations of civil rights law." "While the Department of Justice walks away from their federal consent decree nearly five years from the murder of George Floyd, our Department and the state court consent decree isn't going anywhere," said Minnesota Department of Human Rights Commissioner Rebecca Lucero. "Under the state agreement, the City and MPD must make transformational changes to address race-based policing. The tremendous amount of work that lies ahead for the City, including MPD, cannot be understated. And our Department will be here every step of the way." "We are deeply disappointed that the federal government is abandoning its responsibility to drive reform at the Minneapolis Police Department. For years, Minneapolis community members have spoken out to make their voices heard as part of this process, and now their work and commitment have been disregarded by the federal government. "Our communities are made safer and the interest of public safety itself is advanced when the community and their police are able to have a collaborative relationship. Sadly, this decision is not surprising, given Donald Trump's longstanding history of working against civil rights, racial justice, and police accountability. "This reversal comes as our city marks five years since the murder of George Floyd, a tragedy that sparked a global call for lasting change. This is a setback to real progress at a time when the demand for justice and accountability remains as urgent as ever." "It is no surprise that the Trump administration is abandoning the federal consent decree. This Administration continuously tramples on constitutional and civil rights and is perfectly willing to sacrifice public safety in order to score political points. It is particularly abhorrent that it is abandoning this consent decree on the eve of the anniversary of George Floyd's murder. "The federal government implemented this consent decree to eliminate systemic violations of the Constitution and end violence that happened with too much frequency, especially against Black people. That should be a goal every elected representative has. Police reform isn't an attack on the police. It is a necessary step to make sure people are protected and safe." "The recent decision by the Justice Department to withdraw from the consent decree process feels like yet another setback in our long struggle for accountability. But let us be clear: the work is not over. "Mayor Frey and the City Council have committed to advancing police reforms without the consent decree, stating that 'accountability is not optional.' The Minneapolis Police Department and its own union leadership have acknowledged the need to rebuild trust within our community. Importantly, the state-level agreement between Minneapolis and the Minnesota Department of Human Rights requiring even more extensive police reforms remains in full effect. "While we appreciate that these leaders say they remain committed to change, it is up to us, our community, to ensure that commitment is kept. Real accountability depends not just on promises, but on our collective vigilance." From executive director Jaylani Hussein: "The end of federal oversight sends the unfortunate message that the government has no interest in reforming and improving policing in Minnesota or anywhere in the country. After the numerous instances of police brutality we have seen over the past few years, the beginning of joint local and federal efforts at reform were a positive development. We urge Minneapolis authorities to continue working toward reform."
CBS News
04-03-2025
- CBS News
Minnesota sues drywall company accused of firing worker who reported being raped on job
Minnesota is joining a lawsuit filed against a Twin Cities construction company after its management allegedly fired a woman who reported being sexually harassed and raped on the job by a co-worker. The Minnesota Department of Human Rights says the lawsuit was filed by Norma Izaguirre, who alleges Lakeville's Absolute Drywall violated the state's Human Rights Act by failing to protect her from harassment and sexual assault. The office of Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison took on the case following the department's investigation. According to the lawsuit, Izaguirre says she first learned of the job opportunity with Absolute Drywall from her eventual rapist while at a restaurant. She went on to work as an on-site cleaner for the company from January to September 2021 and was "immediately and consistently sexually harassed" by the man, who worked as a drywall laborer. Documents say the man raped her while she was cleaning a tub on a worksite in Eagan in May of that year. Izaguirre says she reported him five times to management, who "failed to take any meaningful action" and eventually decreased her work hours down to zero, according to court documents. Later that year, her attacker parted ways with the company and was charged in her assault. He pleaded guilty last month to third-degree criminal sexual conduct. Izaguirre filed a human rights complaint with the state, which eventually found Absolute Drywall had no policies in place to prevent harassment and assault or ways its workers could report it, including those who speak Spanish. "When anyone is discriminated against or harassed, our state and our businesses are deprived of enormous potential," said Rebecca Lucero, commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Human Rights. "Norma deserved to be treated with humanity. Instead, Absolute Drywall allowed sexual harassment and rape to go unchecked." Izaguirre is seeking damages and is demanding the company make "clear anti-discrimination and anti-harassment policies," and to ensure its employees "can easily report sexual harassment, assault and other forms of discrimination." "The State's decision to join my case against Absolute Drywall is an acknowledgment of not only my truth, but also the unacceptable reality that women like me, Latina women, too often face sexual harassment and assault in the construction industry," Izaguirre said. "I hope that by standing up for myself and speaking out, other women feel empowered to tell their stories and employers who are abusive to their workers are held accountable." The department says Minnesota is among the top states when it comes to the percentage of women working in the construction industry. A 2021 report by Institute for Women's Policy and Research found nearly a quarter of the female construction workers it surveyed said they face frequent sexual harassment from co-workers. In January, the department settled a lawsuit with Home Depot on behalf of a woman who was sexually harassed by co-workers for years at its Fridley location. The Minnesota Department of Human Rights also entered into a consent decree in 2023 with the owner of several Twin Cities McDonald's restaurants after a 14-year-old employee was sexually assaulted by her manager. . Sexual Assault Resources (SOS – Ramsey County) Sexual Violence Center (SVC – Hennepin County) Aurora Center (U of MN) 360 Communities (Dakota County) Hope Center (Rice County) Canvas Health (Washington County) Alexandra House (Anoka County) General Sites for information related to sexual assault and resources throughout Minnesota: Minnesota Coalition Against Sexual Assault General Sexual Assault Websites:
Yahoo
13-02-2025
- Yahoo
Construction worker at Viking Lakes apartments pleads guilty to raping cleaner on job site
Juan Diego Medina Cisneros leaves the Dakota County Government Center in Hastings after pleading guilty to felony sexual misconduct on Feb. 13, 2025. Photo by Max Nesterak/Minnesota Reformer. A construction worker pleaded guilty on Thursday to raping a co-worker in an apartment bathroom during construction of Viking Lakes, a sprawling multi-use Eagan development built by the Wilf family, owners of the Minnesota Vikings. Juan Diego Medina Cisneros, a 31-year-old Mexican citizen, was charged in Dakota County two-and-a-half years ago but wasn't apprehended until last June by border patrol agents at the Gateway International Bridge in Texas. The Dakota County Sheriff's Office brought him back to Minnesota, where he was released the next day on $100,000 bail. The assault came to light as the North Central States Regional Council of Carpenters was helping workers report their allegations of wage theft on the Viking Lakes development by two subcontractors — Absolute Drywall and Advantage Construction. Absolute Drywall employee Norma Izaguirre said she repeatedly rejected Medina Cisneros' advances while working as a cleaner at Viking Lakes, which is built around the Vikings' headquarters and training facility. One day in May 2021, Medina Cisneros came up behind Izaguirre as she was cleaning a bathtub and raped her. (The Reformer does not typically name survivors of sexual violence, but Izaguirre consented when she shared her story with the Reformer in 2022. She has spoken publicly about her attack in hopes of preventing other women in construction from being treated the way she was.) Izaguirre told her supervisor about the abuse, but the company determined it was a consensual relationship and owner Dan Ortega fired Izaguirre soon after. In response to a complaint Izaguirre filed with the Minnesota Department of Human Rights, Absolute Drywall said Izaguirre was fired for creating a hostile work environment by refusing to do cleanup work. Izaguirre said she did complain to her supervisor about having to clean bathtubs because they were often filled with urine and other excrement. Izaguirre watched Thursday's court proceeding over Zoom, wiping away tears as Medina Cisneros admitted to the assault in Spanish through an interpreter. Medina Cisneros' attorney said he was 'deeply remorseful.' Izaguirre has filed a complaint with the Minnesota Department of Human Rights, which is investigating her allegations of sex discrimination, and could bring a lawsuit against the contractor. Medina Cisneros will serve 36 months in prison followed by 10 years probationary release. His lawyer explained to him during Thursday's hearing that he will likely be deported upon leaving prison. It's unclear if Medina Cisneros has legal authorization to be in the United States, and he could be swept up in Trump administration efforts to carry out widespread deportations. Izaguirre's attorney said they hope he will serve prison time in the United States to ensure justice is served. Dakota County District Court Judge Luis Morales seemed dissatisfied with the settlement agreement, which is five months shorter than the sentencing guideline. But he said he would accept the agreement because Izaguirre approved. He said he would make further comments when Medina Cisneros returns to court on July 8 to be formally sentenced and taken into custody. The state Department of Labor and Industry opened an investigation into Absolute Drywall for wage theft and is currently seeking $2.4 million in back wages for workers for Advantage Construction and its subcontractor Property Maintenance and Construction, including for work at the Viking Lakes development. It is the largest wage theft case ever brought by the agency.
CBS News
30-01-2025
- CBS News
Home Depot settles sexual harassment case in Minnesota, will pay former employee $65K
ST. PAUL, Minn. — Home Depot and the Minnesota Department of Human Rights have reached a $65,000 settlement for a Twin Cities store employee who suffered years of sexual harassment on the job. The department announced the settlement on Thursday following its investigation which found the victim, now a former employee, was subjected to harassment from three other employees at Home Depot's Fridley location between 2018 and 2021. The victim reported the harassment on multiple occasions, but management took "little to no action," according to the department, violating Minnesota's Human Rights Act. "My experience was deeply painful, and my goal in coming forward was not just to stand up for myself but also to raise awareness so that nobody else would ever have to go through what I went through," the victim said in a statement released by the department. Besides the financial settlement, Home Depot also entered into a compliance agreement that will be monitored for the next two years, requiring the corporation to "create a workplace free from sexual harassment by enforcing anti-harassment politics, conducting training on those policies, and holding store managers accountable," according to the department. "I hope my journey and the policy changes outlined in the settlement agreement helps pave the way for a safer, more respectful environment for all employees," the victim said. WCCO has reached out to Home Depot for comment and is awaiting a response. In 2023, the department entered into a consent decree with the owner of several metro McDonald's restaurants after a 14-year-old employee was sexually assaulted by her manager. That same year, the department reached a sexual harassment settlement with a Vadnais Heights-based charter school district after a teacher assaulted a ninth-grade student. . Sexual Assault Resources (SOS – Ramsey County) Sexual Violence Center (SVC – Hennepin County) Aurora Center (U of MN) 360 Communities (Dakota County) Hope Center (Rice County) Canvas Health (Washington County) Alexandra House (Anoka County) General Sites for information related to sexual assault and resources throughout Minnesota: Minnesota Coalition Against Sexual Assault General Sexual Assault Websites:
