The City of Decorah has adopted a Coordinated Hate Response Policy

The City of Decorah has adopted a Coordinated Hate Response Policy affirming its commitment to promote a welcoming and inclusive environment for all residents and visitors. 

Decorah Mayor Don Arendt has signed a proclamation to coincide with the adoption of procedures for handling hate incidents.  The document is called "From Hatred to Healing."

The Decorah Human Rights Commission identified a need for a formal hate response policy after a 2008 incident involving three local residents and two international students from Luther College.  Because there was no written policy, the formal mechanisms were not in place that would have enabled community agencies and organizations collaborate in their response to the situation.

The policy provides guidelines for hate incidents that are not criminal but which make residents and visitors feel unwelcome and excluded from public events, activities and gatherings.

The responsibility for coordinating the response is assigned to the Human Rights Commission and the city administrator.  In the event of a hate incident, the commission will immediately notify the city administrator and convene a strategy meeting with the city and county attorneys, mayor, mayor pro tem, city clerk and police chief.

The city administrator will share the coordinating role with the commission, notify the city council of plans and actions and handle communications with the community and the news media.

The new policy also identifies proactive steps for preventing hate incidents through education and public service campaigns and programs that promote appreciation of cultural diversity.

Copies the "From Hatred to Healing" Coordinated Hate Response Policy are available from the office of the Decorah City Clerk.