Mayor Shelly Carlson (at left) with Human Rights Award winners Brandon Baity, Em Christie, Zak Amin and Marisa Loertzel-Bengtson, and presenters Jen Troska and Rachel Stone. (Photo/City of Moorhead.)

Nancy Edmonds Hanson

Four Moorhead activists received awards for their advocacy for human rights at the Moorhead City Council’s meeting Monday. The winners were named by the city’s Human Rights Commission.
Commission representatives Jen Troska and Rachel Stone presented the annual honors to Marisa Bengston-Loerzel, Em Christie, Zak Amin and Brandon Baity.
Bengston-Loerzel, who is west central regional coordinator for the Arc Minnesota, was cited for her advocacy for the rights of disabled persons. Working with her daughter Addie Loerzel, she told the council her goal is “not to be a voice for them, but to help their own voices to be heard.”
Christie’s nomination said, “As the FM Rocks organizer, Em creates joy and excitement through bright colors and creativity. Em is passionate about representation and inclusion and dedicated to advocating for change.”
Amin, who emigrated from Kurdistan to Moorhead nine years ago, promotes Kurdish adaptation to American culture and cultural preservation through his work with the Kurdish American Development Organization.
Baity, interim executive director of the Indigenous Association, has focused on meeting the social determinants of health and equity, and building an inclusive community.