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Human Rights Commission honors Saint Louis Park PTOs for emergency mutual aid during 'Operation Metro Surge'
Summary
The St. Louis Park Human Rights Commission presented its 2025 Human Rights Award to multiple school PTOs for mutual‑aid support to immigrant families during recent enforcement actions; Virginia Mancini and PTO representatives described volunteer coordination that provided rides, supervision and mutual support.
The St. Louis Park Human Rights Commission presented its 2025 Human Rights Award to several Parent‑Teacher Organizations in the St. Louis Park Public Schools for coordinated mutual‑aid work during recent enforcement operations.
Isabel Anderson, chair of the Human Rights Commission, said the award recognizes individuals, groups and businesses that strengthen the community by fostering understanding and support across diverse backgrounds. Virginia Mancini, who introduced the nomination and identified herself as chair of the St. Louis Park School Board, described how PTO organizers coordinated rides, supervision and mutual aid when some immigrant families were reluctant to appear in public.
"Their efforts grew into a coordinated network of care that provided rides, supervision, mutual aid, and a sense of safety when it was needed most," Mancini said.
Representatives from the honored PTOs spoke briefly. A reader representing the PTOs said: "Tonight, the Saint Louis Park PTOs were honored to receive the city's 2025 human rights award... We didn't do this for an award. We did it because our neighbors needed us and because every child deserves to feel safe going to school." Council members praised the volunteers and encouraged the community to celebrate the efforts; recipients and nominators posed for photographs after the presentation.
The award recognized Aquila Elementary School PTO (represented by Diana Jackson), Susan Lindgren Elementary School PTO (represented by Kelsey Rode), Peter Hobart Elementary School PTO (represented by Julia Wolfscalman), Park Spanish Immersion Elementary PTO (represented by Brenna Batres) and the St. Louis Park Middle School site council PTO.
The commission acknowledged Virginia Mancini for the nomination. The council welcomed remarks and invited recipients to take photos outside following the meeting.
No formal action was required; the presentation was part of the council’s regular meeting agenda.
