A new location has been secured for a panel discussion on bias in hate crimes in St. Cloud.

The St. Cloud Human Rights Commission is sponsoring an open forum entitled “Acknowledging Bias: Offering Support in our Community.” The program will be held at St. Cloud State University’s Miller Center Auditorium on Wednesday, November 20 starting at 6 p.m.

Organizers say this is the first of three forums being planned by the commission. They had hoped to host the event at the new Tech High School, but, plans fell through due in part to a security requirement by the school district.

Panelists include Beth Gendler, Executive Director of the National Council of Jewish Women Minnesota; Jaylani Hussein, Executive Director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MN); and Justin Lewandowski, an Organizer with Outfront Minnesota.

They will talk about and define hate crimes and how they are monitored, reported and addressed. A second forum is being planned for January 2020.