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Legislative News and Views - Rep. Jim Davnie (DFL)

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Rep. Davnie Statement on the Murder of George Floyd

Thursday, May 28, 2020

Minneapolis, Minn.-- State Representative Jim Davnie (DFL – Minneapolis) released the following statement after a video surfaced of a white Minneapolis police officer causing the death of George Floyd, a black resident, in South Minneapolis.

“As a Minneapolis legislator, my heart is heavy today. I am heartbroken and angered by the continued cycle of violence provoked by the senseless killing of George Floyd by members of the Minneapolis Police Department. This is just the latest grievous example of a long history of abusive use of force, primarily targeting people of color and indigenous communities, by the Minneapolis Police Department. I appreciate the Mayor’s leadership demonstrated by the termination of the four officers involved. This is an important break in the culture of impunity too common in policing today, and there is much more that swiftly needs to happen at all levels of government to rebuild the critical trust between community members and the police.

In order to deescalate the immediate situation and start the process of rebuilding our community I am urging:

  • A speedy and thorough investigation of the incident by the relevant agencies leading to criminal charges and rigorous prosecution of the law based on the evidence we have by the Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman;
  • An independent investigation is necessary of the police uses of force on predominantly nonviolent protestors on May 26th and May 27th that was escalatory and did not make our community safer;
  • A deep outside investigation into the culture of the Minneapolis Police Department aimed at rooting out racist practices and culture and building a force that protects and serves our community;
  • An overhaul of current public safety training practices and complete reconstruction of de-escalation and implicit bias training of the MPD;
  • A repeal of the state statute preempting communities from utilizing residency requirements for police;
  • A state level taskforce to review state policy and practice as it impacts local police practices and employment with a goal to raising the public confidence in the police. Any such body must include members of the public from communities of color and indigenous communities;
  • State resources to develop alternative practices for community safety and well-being;
  • State resources to support community rebuilding.”

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