March 15, 2019
Lansing, MI – Michigan Department of Civil Rights Director Dr. Agustin V. Arbulu issued the following statement in the wake of the shootings in two mosques in New Zealand today.
“The Michigan Department of Civil Rights expresses its deepest condolences to the victims of the horrendous shooting of two mosques in New Zealand. Though New Zealand is located far away, what took place affects all of us deeply. Our hearts are broken at the horrific violence wrought on you. We also recognize that the burning hate that birthed this tragedy has been and continues to burn just below the surface in different places. We must stand united and speak out. There is no place in the world for supremacy of any kind – whether it is racial supremacy, religious supremacy or nationalistic supremacy. We believe the world is a fundamentally good place, filled with human beings who respect each other and when there are differences, we can have a civil discourse. One victim’s likely final words give us hope for a better tomorrow: #HelloBrother.”
The Michigan Department of Civil Rights, the operational arm of the Michigan Civil Rights Commission, is charged with investigating and resolving discrimination complaints and works to prevent discrimination through educational programs that promote voluntary compliance with civil rights laws. The Department also provides information and services to businesses on diversity initiatives and equal employment law. For more information on the Michigan Department of Civil Rights, go to www.Michigan.gov/mdcr.
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