On Wednesday, June 13, the City of Charlottesville's Human Rights Task Force will hold a Community Forum as the next step in the process to determine the need for a Human Rights Commission in Charlottesville. The 6:00 pm forum will be held at Buford Middle School.

The Task Force invites all who have interest and comment to participate in the June 13 forum. Individuals will be able to learn more about the City's Human Rights Task Force, and have the opportunity to offer input on the creation of a Human Rights Commission. Those who feel they have recently been subjected to discrimination of any kind can obtain information on assistance from the Task Force, which is providing referrals to agencies positioned to help resolve such issues.

Appointed by City Council in March, the eleven-member Human Rights Task Force is studying the need for a Human Rights Commission in Charlottesville. Community members, by sharing their experiences and feedback, will help the Task Force make this determination over the next seven months. All information provided by individuals will be used only to track the complaints made and follow-up on the outcomes. The Task Force will present a recommendation to City Council in late 2012.

For those who wish to report an instance of discrimination to the Task Force, an Incident Form is available online at www.charlottesville.org/humanrights. The Task Force will connect those with complaints to the appropriate governmental agency for follow-up and resolution, and does not have investigative or enforcement authority.

For more information about the Human Rights Task Force, please call 434.970.3050 or email humanrights@charlottesville.org.