The people of Minnesota have played an outsized role in international human rights activism and scholarship since the 1970s. The story is also a complicated one. As Minnesota-based actors have made their international impact, the state remains the site of persistent human rights violations.

Fueled by the resources of the newly established Minnesota Human Rights Archive, “The Global Reach of Local Activism” recounts a compelling slice of local-to-global history, replete with triumphs, setbacks, and ongoing challenges. The exhibit is the first in an ongoing series highlighting unique and extensive archival resources that will soon be available to the public for the first time.

Join us as we explore Minnesotans’ contributions to the global movements to end gender-based violence, racial discrimination, and torture. A call to action offers hope for a better future while acknowledging the unfinished work of protecting human rights in Minnesota and globally.

Exhibit design by Darren Terpstra
Sponsored by the Archives and Special Collections at the University of Minnesota Libraries; the Human Rights Program; and by and the Roy Wilkins Center for Human Relations and Social Justice.

Exhibit details

What: The Global Reach of Local Activism: Minnesota’s Human Rights Stories
When: Thursday, Feb. 8 through Friday, June 7, 2024  (Weekdays only)
Hours: Open during library hours (9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday, and Friday; and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday)
Where: Elmer L. Andersen Library, Second floor gallery | Parking & directions