Akron Civil Rights Commission is Fully Operational and Accepting Complaints of Discrimination from the Public
City of Akron Press Release
From the desk of Ellen Lander Nischt, Press Secretary
Published: 09-04-2018
Akron, Ohio, September 4, 2018 – The Akron Civil Rights Commission is open to accept complaints from the public.
The Commission 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.
The Commission was appointed by Mayor Dan Horrigan after Akron City Council passed non-discrimination legislation in 2017. The Commission has the power to investigate and mediate complaints and otherwise enforce the provisions of the new non-discrimination ordinance. Seven Akron residents serve as commissioners, five members and two alternates.
Akron was the 17th Ohio city to pass comprehensive non-discrimination protections. Olmstead Falls, Kent and South Euclid passed similar ordinances after Akron, and legislation was recently introduced in Cuyahoga County.
Prior to passing the legislation, there were no legal protections against discrimination currently in place at the local level in the areas of employment and public accommodations. There were limited protections in housing and city contracts.
Information about the ordinance, rules of organization, the complaint process and the Commission can be found online at www.akronohio.gov/ACRC.
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For further information, contact:
Brant Lee
Chair, Akron Civil Rights Commission
E-mail: [email protected]
