September is African and Hispanic Heritage Month!
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The start of September kicks off both African and Hispanic Heritage Month in DC. To celebrate, we are highlighting our
Immigrants Contribute
campaign. Launched in 2013, Immigrants Contribute was a public awareness campaign aimed at highlighting the contributions of immigrants to the District, as well as discourage incidents of discrimination through "Know Your Rights" presentations. The campaign was developed with the guidance and input from a diverse set of immigrant communities in the District. OHR worked with eight people, representing eight countries that were able to share their stories on how they contribute to DC's thriving immigrant community. The campaign ran in Metro stations, the Metrobus system and in print and radio ads.
OHR consistently partners and collaborates with several agencies that serve immigrant communities. During African and Hispanic Heritage Month this year, please familiarize yourself with the
Mayor's Office on African Affairs
and the
Mayor's Office on Latino Affairs
. These two agencies do phenomenal work in the District, providing services, programs and resources for their respective populations. Not only do we work with them extensively on
Language Access
,
which ensures people have access to DC government services, but also make sure that they are informed about their rights as District residents or visitors. In the District, national origin is a protected trait, which makes it illegal for employers, housing providers, public establishments and educational institutions to treat someone differently based on their country of origin. In the current political climate, where fear is the norm and hate is flowing so freely, it is important that DC's immigrant communities know they are protected. Happy African and Hispanic Heritage Month!
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Trait of the Month
: Marital Status
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This protected trait makes it illegal to discriminate against someone based on them
being married, single, in a domestic partnership, divorced, separated, and widowed.
For more information or to file a complaint, visit our website;
ohr.dc.gov
.
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Join the
Mayor's Office on African Affairs
as they kickoff African Heritage Month in style on
Friday, September 6th at Abigail DC (1730 M St NW) starting at 6pm
. There will be a fashion show, music, food, and much more. You don't want to miss this event!
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OHR will be resuming its DC Public Library Know Your Rights series on
Wednesday, September 24 at the Cleveland Park Library (3310 Connecticut Ave NW)
. We'll be discussing anti-discrimination laws in public accommodations. This event is free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be served so come hungry!
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Have you experienced Street Harassment in DC? Share your story with us. This month, OHR launched its
#NoStreetHarassmentDC campaign that
promotes awareness of the harm caused by street harassment with a specific focus on vulnerable populations in the District. The goal of the campaign is to reduce incidents of street harassment and increase understanding as to what street harassment is and the places where it can occur. Be sure to check out our Street Harassment awareness campaign throughout the city on Metrobuses, bus shelters and Capital Bikeshare locations. Click the link below for additional information and to tell us about your experience with street harassment.
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Guest Director's Note - English
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Happy September DC family!
September is always a great time of the year because we get to celebrate African Heritage, and we also celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, starting from September 15th through October 15th. The contributions to this city by both communities can't be measured. Things like culture, language, and traditions add to the District's rich diversity and make us stronger.
Coming from El Salvador in Central America, I made DC my home in the 90s, and I got my start as an activist, advocating for the Latinx population in the District. I witnessed firsthand the strides this city made to be one of the most inclusive and diverse cities in the country. I am proud to be a DC resident and lead the
Mayor's Office on Latino Affairs
, where our sole focus is delivering health, education, employment, and social services to the Latinx population.
On top of that, I am proud to have a Mayor committed to protecting and investing in immigrant communities throughout the District, in all 8 wards. Mayor Muriel Bowser committed 2.5 dollars for immigrant justice grants and additional funds for District residents to become
citizens
. She also recently said that she would not accept any temporary federal shelter intended to separate and detain migrant children and families.
Moreover, I am so thrilled to announce that my office has some exciting events and initiatives planned for Hispanic Heritage Month; we open with a Hispanic Heritage Month
kick-off for Latinos
in DC at Toro Toro. Then, we will have a
community celebration
for the whole family at the Columbia Civic Plaza. We also want to make sure everybody is included in our celebrations, so by the end of the month we will have a breakfast with the seniors and many more, please connect with us on our
social
media
and find a perfect event for you and feel free to attend and bring your loved ones. We hope you can join us!
Please go to our
website
for more information and be sure to
sign up
to receive news and event updates from MOLA.
Happy African and Hispanic Heritage Month, DC!
¡Mil Gracias!
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Nota del Director Invitado - Español
¡Feliz comienzo de septiembre familias en DC!
Septiembre siempre es un buen momento del año porque celebramos el Mes de la Herencia Africana y también celebramos el Mes de la Herencia Hispana, que se llevará a cabo del 15 de septiembre al 15 de octubre. Las contribuciones a esta ciudad por ambas comunidades son incontables. La cultura, el idioma y las tradiciones contribuyen a la rica diversidad del Distrito y nos hacen más fuertes.
Originaria de El Salvador en Centro América, hice de DC mi hogar en los años 90, y comencé como activista, luchando por la población latina en el Distrito. He sido fiel testigo de los avances que esta ciudad hizo para ser una de las ciudades más inclusivas y diversas del país. Me enorgullece ser habitante de DC y liderar
la Oficina del Alcaldesa Muriel Bowser para Asuntos Latinos
, donde nuestro principal objetivo es brindar servicios de salud, educación, empleo y servicios sociales a la población latina.
Además de eso, estoy orgullosa de tener una Alcaldesa comprometida a proteger e invertir en la comunidad de inmigrantes en todo el Distrito a través de las 8 zonas. La alcaldesa Muriel Bowser comprometió 2.5 millones de dólares para subsidios de justicia para inmigrantes y fondos adicionales para que los habitantes del Distrito se conviertan
en ciudadanos
. También dijo recientemente que no aceptaría ningún refugio federal temporal destinado a separar y detener a niños y familias migrantes.
Además, estoy muy emocionada de anunciar que mi oficina tiene algunos eventos e iniciativas para el mes de la Herencia Hispana; inauguramos las celebraciones con
un mixer para los latinos
en DC en Toro Toro. Luego, tendremos
una celebración comunitaria
para toda la familia en la Columbia Heights Civic Plaza. También queremos asegurarnos de que todos estén incluidos en nuestras celebraciones, así que para fin de mes tendremos un desayuno con adultos mayores y mucho más. Por favor conéctese con nosotros en nuestras
redes sociales
y encuentre el evento perfecto para usted y siéntase libre para asistir y traer a tus seres queridos. ¡Esperamos que pueda unirse a nosotros!
Visite nuestro
sitio web
para obtener más información y asegúrese de registrarse para recibir noticias y actualizaciones de eventos de MOLA.
¡Feliz mes de la Herencia Africana e Hispana, DC!
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Jackie Reyes-Yanes,
Directora Ejecutiva, Oficina para la Alcaldesa de Asuntos Latinos
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DC Office of Human Rights | 202.727.4559 |
ohr.dc.gov
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