16 September 5 • 2019
jn
T
he Michigan Civil Rights
Commission terminated the
employment of Department
of Civil Rights Executive Director
Agustin Arbulu following a lengthy
meeting on Aug. 27 in Detroit. The
eight-member commission, whose
independence
is enshrined
in the state
Constitution, is
solely responsible
for the hiring or
termination of
the department’
s
leader.
Following a
closed session on
Aug. 1, the com-
mission voted
unanimously
to reprimand
Arbulu for com-
ments he made
to a member of
his staff that were
interpreted as
objectifying a woman. In addition to
the reprimand, the commission also
decided he would need to complete
a training and mentorship program
before the end of year. Until that time,
he would not be allowed to conduct
civil rights training sessions. Arbulu
apologized for his comments, calling
them “unacceptable and regrettable.
”
Following the reprimand,
Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer
publicly admonished the commission
for its decision, calling for his termina-
tion and demanding the commission
furnish her with a summary of its
reasoning for the reprimand. Others
joined the governor, including 24
Democratic members of the legislature,
in calling for his removal, questioning
how the state’
s top civil rights pro-
fessional could remain effective after
accepting responsibility for the com-
ments he made.
On Aug. 20, Arbulu initiated a
leave of absence from his position.
It was during his leave that the com-
mission decided on Aug. 27, by a 5-2
vote, to terminate his employment.
Commission chair Alma Wheeler
Smith told the Detroit News that “this
is a very difficult decision for everyone
on the commission. The director was
a very good director
when he was present.
He had a good work
ethic … I think the
commission’
s earlier
decision to retain him
with coaching and
corrective action was
a bad decision.
”
During the public
hearing portion of the
meeting, media out-
lets reported that the
commission received
favorable comments
about Arbulu from
about a dozen people,
largely from the state’
s
Hispanic community.
Arbulu, who was born
in Peru, is also Jewish.
“Reinstate him as soon as possible
and let’
s get back to work,
” the Detroit
News reported Wayne State University
Associate Professor Joe Coello as say-
ing. “If he is removed, the chances are
that someone who is not committed
to the nonpartisan commission may
assume the directorship of this agency
and then you’
d be setting yourself
back.
”
Arbulu, who resides in Birmingham,
had been appointed to the Civil Rights
Commission in 2013 by Republican
Gov. Rick Snyder. In accordance with
the state Constitution, no more than
four members of the commission
can be from any one political party.
Arbulu was appointed as a Republican.
Following the resignation of Executive
Director Matthew Wesaw in 2015, the
commission initiated a national search
for a replacement. Arbulu was a candi-
date for the position and selected by a
5-2 vote. ■
jews d
in
the
JN STAFF
Civil Rights Commission
Ends Agreement With
Director Arbulu
Agustin Arbulu
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