Release Date: May 13,2020
Akron Civil Rights Commission is Continuing to Accept Complaints of Discrimination During the “Stay Safe Ohio” Order
Akron, Ohio, May 13, 2020 – The Akron Civil Rights Commission is reminding those who live, work or visit Akron of the City's comprehensive non-discrimination ordinance, and their right to file a discrimination complaint. The Commission is continuing to operate during the Stay Safe Ohio order.
The Akron Civil Rights Commission (ACRC) provides individuals with the opportunity to resolve discrimination issues at the local level. It accepts complaints of unlawful discrimination in housing, employment, and public accommodations based on age, race, color, creed, religion, national origin, ancestry, disability, marital status, familial status, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, or military status.
Members of the seven-person Commission are appointed by Mayor Dan Horrigan and approved by Akron City Council to act as an independent and neutral body. The Commission has the power to investigate and mediate complaints and otherwise enforce the provisions of the non-discrimination ordinance. The members also serve to educate the public about the Commission and the equal opportunity and treatment of all individuals.
During this challenging period of COVID-19 and economic and social disruption the virus has caused in our communities, concerns regarding potentially discriminatory practices or actions remain.
If you feel as though you have been discriminated against based on any of the above criteria, you can file a complaint of discrimination with the Commission using the complaint form available here. Please note that the City Law Department is not currently accepting in-person filings, so the complaint form can be mailed to the following address: City of Akron Department of Law – Civil Division, Ocasek Government Office Building, 161 South High Street, Suite 202, Akron, OH 44308.
“The Akron Civil Rights Commission was created to empower members of our community by providing them a local forum to have their claims of discrimination heard and investigated, fairly and professionally. It is important in times like this for our community to remember that the ACRC exists as an option for them to seek fair and equal treatment under the law,” said Akron Mayor Dan Horrigan.
For further information about the Commission, the ordinance, or how to file a complaint, please visit www.akronohio.gov/ACRC.