Stay Curious. Stay Connected.
MailNewsletters♡Donate Now
Sign up
*Password must be at least 8 characters and contain one uppercase letter, one lowercase letter, one number and one symbol.
Already have an account?
By submitting, you consent that you are at least 18 years of age and to receive information about MPR's or APMG entities' programs and offerings. The personally identifying information you provide will not be sold, shared, or used for purposes other than to communicate with you about MPR, APMG entities, and its sponsors. You may opt-out at any time clicking the unsubscribe link at the bottom of any email communication. View our Privacy Policy.
Sign in to your profile
Forgot Password?
New to MPR News?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Reset Password

Enter the username on file and we'll send you a code to reset your password.

Still require assistance or not sure what your User Name is?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Email Verification

A verification code has been emailed to

Still awaiting the code?
Euan Kerr, Catharine Richert and Jo Erickson

Statewide hate crime hotline already getting a range of calls

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Minneapolis has launched a new statewide hotline to report potential hate crimes.

Director of the Minneapolis Civil Rights Department Velma Korbel said a rash of incidents in the last year that may have been motivated by prejudice prompted the city to open the hotline.

Since the hotline launched last month, Korbel said 70 calls have come in, and not only from people who are experiencing potential hate crimes.

"What is also encouraging to me is that we are getting calls from people who are not just standing by and idly by and watching something happen to a person," Korbel said.

Korbel said the hotline has fielded a variety of calls, most of them about race or religion.

Some of the calls have been from people who complain that the hotline is meant to curb freedom of speech.

"There was some rhetoric around the middle of June where people were claiming that in some ways that the hotline was trying to impede free speech," Korbel said. "I want to say categorically that is not true."

Korbel said that operators who answer the calls pass along the tips to other departments, depending on the details of the complaint.

Callers in Minneapolis can report concerns through the city's 311 line. Outstate callers can call 612-673-3000.

MPR News host Euan Kerr spoke to Korbel about hate in Minnesota and the new hotline. To hear their full discussion, use the audio player above.