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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