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

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Legislative Update- May 29, 2020

Friday, May 29, 2020

Rep. Davnie

 

Dear Neighbors,

This afternoon, ex-Minneapolis Police Officer Chauvin was taken into custody and is being charged with murder and manslaughter. This is one small step toward justice.

 


NATIONAL GUARD AND STATE PATROL

Yesterday, Governor Walz activated the Minnesota National Guard, along with State Patrol and sworn Conservation Officers to help replace the Minneapolis Police Department in attempting to maintain order in the city. They have a large presence around the Hiawatha and Lake area and expanding out from there, as well as in other areas of Minneapolis and St. Paul. Mayor Frey requested National Guard resources after extensive damage to private property, including family owned businesses, homes, and shelter and out of fear for people’s safety. In today’s morning press conference, the governor explained why he felt National Guard members needed to be armed.

I know that the issue around public safety is extremely difficult right now and has been with different histories and experiences particularly across different racial and ethnic identities. The historic racism in and mistrust of the Minneapolis Police are at the root of our current crisis. Their failure of leadership and responsibility to maintain public safety after the murder of George Floyd is responsible for so much of the damage in our neighborhoods today. This is why I signed on to a letter to the Governor with my Minneapolis colleagues, urging him to transfer the jurisdiction of George Floyd’s case from Hennepin County to the Attorney General's office.

I have long felt that much of the police leadership in the country are not up to the task of remaking public safety today. In city after city where incidents such as the murder of George Floyd have occurred, police leadership has turned insular and not changed the way they work. I also know from talking and emailing with many of you that you feel abandoned by the MPD and even the National Guard. I fully understand that and share in it. This now needs to be when we work together as a community to reimagine what public safety could look like in Minneapolis. We need to be different.

 


CURFEW

A temporary curfew is scheduled from 8:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. tonight (Friday) and tomorrow (Saturday) night. During the curfew, no one may travel on Minneapolis and Saint Paul streets or public places, except for first responders, members of the media, people going back and forth to work, individuals seeking emergency care or fleeing danger, and people experiencing homelessness.


 

BREAKING TIES WITH THE MPD

Yesterday University of Minnesota President Joan Gabel announced a change in University practice on their relationship with the MPD.  A Minnesota Daily article reports more on that: https://www.mndaily.com/article/2020/05/br-umn-changes-relationship-with-mpd-following-death-of-george-floyd-5ecf20a2b9653)

On Tuesday, June 2, the Board of Directors of the Minneapolis Public Schools will hold a special meeting to debate and vote on canceling the contract with the Minneapolis Police Department to provide School Resource Officers (SROs) in our secondary schools. District administration has begun to consider options for supporting schools in the event the resolution passes next week. The resolution terminating the contract is posted on the district website.


RESPONDING TO COMMUNITY NEEDS

My immediate role as a South Minneapolis legislator has been to help contribute to the immediate needs of residents and start conversations about rebuilding. My emphasis has been specifically on aiding our more vulnerable neighbors facing food insecurity and medical needs. There are many partners who have stepped forward; Holy Trinity Lutheran Church has been a real benefit to the community throughout this crisis. The Downtown Congregations organization is raising funds to support food access. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency is checking air monitors and will collaborate with the Department of Health if there are actions people with preexisting conditions should take. Leaders in Longfellow and Seward neighborhood groups have funneled information on the needs and key resources in those areas. The Governor’s office, Hennepin County, the City and other jurisdictions have all stepped up to help. Many small nonprofits have stepped up in remarkable ways and individual residents have showed up with garbage bags and brooms as a way to reclaim our community. I am confident that we will emerge from this, but it will be a long process. I have been working with my suburban House colleagues to coordinate mobile food pantries and other means for folks to access other vital resources they are currently unable to receive.


BUILDING RESOURCES FOR REBUILDING

Small, minority-owned family businesses have borne the brunt of the damage. The Lake Street Council has launched a community fundraiser to help Lake Street small businesses and nonprofits rebuild their storefronts. If you would like to learn more, you can check out their website here.

Additionally, the Minnesota Department of Commerce stands ready to assist business owners, property owners, and renters in our community that experienced property damage or loss. The Department of Commerce’s Consumer Services Center (CSC) can help consumers with questions, concerns, or complaints involving insurance claims. The CSC can help consumers understand their rights, work with their insurer to settle a claim, and help Minnesotans make informed insurance decisions. The CSC can be reached by phone at (651) 539-1600 or by email at consumer.protection@state.mn.us. If you are unable to work because of the damage to your place of employment, you can apply for unemployment insurance here

We cannot begin the healing process until we commit ourselves to addressing the systemic racism and inequalities that go far beyond Minneapolis and that exist in every corner of our state. We must rebuild our neighborhoods, develop public safety strategies that earn community trust, and restore peace to our South Minneapolis community.

I hope you will contact me at any time to let me know how I can be of assistance to you, your family, or your business, The quickest way to reach me is via email at rep.jim.davnie@house.mn, but you can also call at 651-296-0173.

In solidarity,

Jim Davnie

State Representative