The election next week in Minneapolis is no less than a fight of hope vs. fear, of maintaining a broken status quo that killed George Floyd or taking the path of reform.
I want to share some of my thoughts to cut through the dark money and misinformation.
I want to share some of my thoughts to cut through the dark money and misinformation.
Let’s remember what got us here: the Minneapolis Police Department killed a man, George Floyd, in broad daylight.
Instead of heeding the calls for reform, the Department and their union have fought tooth and nail to defend the officers who murdered George Floyd and stymie efforts at reform, often with the tacit approval of Jacob Frey.
Instead of deescalating following the killing, police beat, arrested, and critically injured protesters with projectiles and tear gas. chicago.suntimes.com/2021/5/27/2245…
Just this month, more footage leaked, showing the MPD bragging about “hunting” civilians during protests. “The first f**kers we see, we're just handling them with 40’s,” an officer said, referring to 40 mm ammunition fired at crowds, often causing serious injury.
“This group probably is predominantly white, because there's not looting and fires,” the officer said.
The Department, their union and Jacob Frey had this footage for over a year and did nothing. cnn.com/2021/10/06/us/…
The Department, their union and Jacob Frey had this footage for over a year and did nothing. cnn.com/2021/10/06/us/…
Make no mistake: this behavior is on the ballot next week. The police federation is on the ballot next week. And Jacob Frey is on the ballot next week.
Thankfully, there are two incredible female candidates: @SheilaFTP and @KateKnuth.
I know both to be thoughtful, policy-minded, and clear-eyed about the problems the city faces with public safety and housing affordability.
I know both to be thoughtful, policy-minded, and clear-eyed about the problems the city faces with public safety and housing affordability.
Yet both have been subject to a relentless misinformation campaign.
The defenders of the status quo have used a familiar trick: fear. They would have you believe that the failures of the MPD are the fault of the (largely POC) organizers who want reform.
The defenders of the status quo have used a familiar trick: fear. They would have you believe that the failures of the MPD are the fault of the (largely POC) organizers who want reform.
Instead of partnering with trained experts to deescalate domestic disputes, they ask us to simply trust the MPD. Instead of addressing the MPD’s failure to respond to 911 calls and solve homicides, they would like to shift blame onto their opponents.
It is a lie. And it is a lie designed to continue the very policies that led to George Floyd’s death.
We have an opportunity a week from today to reject this. We have an opportunity to choose hope and reform over fear and division.
There are many candidates and questions on the ballot, but they all boil down to one question: do you want to maintain the status quo or do you want reform?
Reform is what Minnesotans do. We helped lead the labor movement to create the weekend and outlaw child labor.
Reform is what Minnesotans do. We helped lead the labor movement to create the weekend and outlaw child labor.
We elected progressive visionaries like Paul Wellstone.
In 2006, we elected the first Black Member of Congress from Minnesota, @keithellison, a man who would go on to do more to hold the officers accountable for George Floyd’s murder than anyone else.
In 2006, we elected the first Black Member of Congress from Minnesota, @keithellison, a man who would go on to do more to hold the officers accountable for George Floyd’s murder than anyone else.
And in 2018, as Trump’s Muslim ban was being implemented, you took a chance on a Black Muslim refugee organizer.
We’ve led the nation before in showing what a hopeful America can look like, what the America we deserve looks like. Let’s do it again.
I support:
No on Q1
Yes on Q2
Yes on Q3
Sheila and Kate for Mayor
Elliot Payne
Steve Fletcher
Phillipe Cunningham
Jeremiah Ellison
Andrea Jenkins
Aisha Chughtai
Jeremy Schroeder
Andrew Johnson
Learn more here:
ilhanomar.com/voterguide/
No on Q1
Yes on Q2
Yes on Q3
Sheila and Kate for Mayor
Elliot Payne
Steve Fletcher
Phillipe Cunningham
Jeremiah Ellison
Andrea Jenkins
Aisha Chughtai
Jeremy Schroeder
Andrew Johnson
Learn more here:
ilhanomar.com/voterguide/
I also encourage folks in Ward 6 to support Abdirizak Bihi for city council!
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