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The Minneapolis Civil Rights Ordinance specifies that it is illegal to discriminate based on race, color, creed, religion, ancestry, national origin, sex (including sexual harassment and pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, age, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, familial status, and by a registered domestic partner. The Civil Rights Ordinance prohibits discrimination in these areas:

• Labor organization membership and referrals
• Employment, including employment agencies, employment information, and employment advertisement
• Real estate, including broker/sales person, rental, lease, and sales
• Professional organizations
• Credit and lending
• Public accommodations
• Public service
• Educational institutions
• Business
• Reprisal, including aiding and abetting discrimination, concealing discriminatory acts, and opposing discrimination
• Coercion in housing

The Complaint Investigation Division investigates all complaints of discrimination which fall under the jurisdiction of the Minneapolis Civil Rights Ordinance. The CID staff act as neutral investigators, gather information from all parties, and complete impartial investigations. The Department is a Federal Employment Practices Agency (FEPA). If your case is an employment case or involves a labor organization, it may be dual filed with the Equal Employment Opportunities Commission (EEOC), which has separate jurisdictional requirements. By dual filing your case, your federal rights as well as your city rights are protected.

Information regarding religious discrimination and civil rights

Enforces Minnesota Human Rights Act by investigation and conciliation of charges of discrimination. Complaints can be made by anyone who feels that she/he has been discriminated against in the areas of:

• Business on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, or sexual orientation

• Credit on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, marital status, disability, public assistance, or sexual orientation

• Education on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, marital status, disability, public assistance, age, or sexual orientation

• Employment on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, marital status, disability, public assistance, age, sexual orientation, familial status, or local human rights commission activity

• Housing on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, marital status, disability, public assistance, sexual orientation, or familial status

• Public accommodations on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, marital status, disability, or sexual orientation

• Public services on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, disability, public assistance, or sexual orientation

The Discrimination Helpline allows Minnesotans who experience or witness bias and discrimination to report incidents to the Minnesota Department of Human Rights

Civil rights advocacy organization for Muslims in Minnesota Focus is on hate crimes, bias crimes, employment rights, and other forms of religious and racial discrimination.

A non-partisan organization defending the liberties of everyone, regardless of their politics. The ACLU promotes, protects, and extends civil liberties and civil rights of people in Minnesota through litigation, lobbying, and community engagement. Programs include:

• Campaigns: Identifies key issue areas to focus on in Minnesota. Areas of focus include School Board Watch, Stop 287(g) agreements with ICE, Minnesota Election Action Plan, Know Your Rights: K-12 Students and LGBTQ+ Community, and more. Visit website for more campaign information at https://www.aclu-mn.org/en/campaigns.

• Legal Cases: Provides legal assistance to a limited of cases. Cases handled involve serious violations of civil liberties by the government. Visit website to request for legal assistance at https://www.aclu-mn.org/en/request-legal-assistance. NOTE: Not all cases are accepted due to limited staffed and volunteer attorneys.

• Legislation: Has a policy team that advocates for the protection and expansion of civil liberties. Drafts legislation during the Minnesota Legislative Session that reflect specific key political issues and areas of focus.

• Provides a Know Your Rights webpage of information for specific issues and groups. Visit the website for information about knowing the rights for K-12 students, college students, LGBTQ+ community, women's reproductive health rights, voting, protesting, water protection rights, ICE deportation, and police stops.

• Press release and informative articles, magazines, newsletters, and blog posts about postings, upcoming events, updates on legislative work, and current civil liberty issues

NOTE: Does not give legal advice. All cases taken on a long-term basis, no quick resolution is possible.