FARGO, N.D. (KFGO) - Following a string of hate crimes and hate speech in Fargo and Moorhead, organized labor has taken the lead, asking local leaders to approve an anti-hate resolution.
Mark Froemke, a regional AFL-CIO leader, said the resolution supports an "inclusive community," and will put Fargo and Moorhead on record, denouncing racist actions. He said, "it's apolitical. It's not a democratic thing, it's not a republican thing, it's not a labor thing, it's a human being thing."
Fargo City Commissioner John Strand said there's been questions about why local leaders have not spoke out against the racist incidents. He said, "there was kind of a vacuum there. The commission hasn't, so there's a value to stepping up, putting us all on the line about where we stand on this." Fargo Mayor Tim Mahoney did issue a statement several months ago, denouncing the racist incidents and said it will not be tolerated in the city.
The Fargo Human Relations Commission approved the resolution Thursday and it will be sent to the Fargo City Commission for consideration in several weeks. The Moorhead City Council will take it up Monday.
The resolution comes as Fargo groups consider laws that prohibit hate crimes.