Bloomington honors student activists with Omar Bondaroot Human Rights Award; council adopts annual appointments and proclaims Martin Luther King Jr. Day

The Bloomington City Council on Monday night presented the 2024 Omar Bondaroot Human Rights Award to the Bloomington Freedom to Read student group, read a proclamation recognizing Martin Luther King Jr. Day and honored departing City Manager Jamie Verbrugge in ceremonial remarks.

Human Rights award

Anita Smithson, chair of the Bloomington Human Rights Commission, introduced the award and praised the student group for its advocacy to protect First Amendment access to diverse literature in school libraries. "This amazing group of young people was nominated twice for this award this year," Smithson said, citing their role speaking at school‑board sessions and helping spur local policy changes.

Members of Bloomington Freedom to Read — founding members identified in the meeting as Kate Bolvin, Shay Ross, Nora Rickenstrud, Johnny Kerwin, Ayla Rash, Lily Mortensen, Abigail Clavin Schmitz and Amber Colvin — told the council they organized in response to book challenges and spoke at school board meetings and statewide forums. A member of the group said, "Books are often a place where you can find yourself…