Learn about the NEW Oregon Department of Justice Civil Rights Unit’s priority areas of casework

I am pleased to announce the formation of the Oregon Department of Justice Civil Rights Unit. As you may already know, creating this unit was one of my highest priorities for the 2009 Legislative Session. Over 1300 Oregonians signed up to support this effort. Many of you were among them and personally contacted legislators, wrote letters, sent emails, and placed phone calls to make this Unit a reality. Without your lobbying effort I would not be writing this letter today and I thank you again for your support.

Please join me on February 19, 2010 to learn more about the Civil Rights Unit’s priority areas of casework. I would like to personally introduce you to Assistant Attorney General Diane Schwartz Sykes who has been selected to head up the Unit. We would also like hear from you about emerging civil rights issues facing our communities.

When: Friday, February 19, 2010, 3:30pm
Where: Portland State University Urban Center, Room 250 – SW 5th & Mill, Portland, OR 97201

If you would like to attend please contact Julie Rutherford at julie.rutherford@doj.state.or.us.

With your input we will create a Civil Rights Unit that is responsive, easily accessible and actively pursuing litigation against the state’s most egregious and pervasive violators of civil rights. I hope you will join me to celebrate this new resource to protect and preserve the rights of all Oregonians in our courts.

Sincerely,
JOHN R. KROGER
Attorney General