• Advertise
  • Donate
  • Subscribe
    • Become a print subscriber
    • Sign up for e-Newsletter
    • e-Editions
Tuesday, September 26, 2023
No Result
View All Result
Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder
  • News & Features
    • National
    • Local
    • Special Editions
      • MLK Legacy
      • Black History Month
      • The MSR Celebrates Women’s History Month
  • All Sections
    • Opinion
      • Mellaneous by Mel Reeves
      • Word on the Street
      • Reaching Out From Within
    • Health + Wellness
      • Women’s Wellness
      • Parenting Today
      • Minnesota Cancer Alliance Breast Cancer Gaps Project
    • Sports
      • Timberwolves/NBA
      • Lynx/WNBA
        • 20 in 20
      • Twins/MLB
      • MN Wild/NHL
      • Vikings/NFL
    • Business
      • Small Business Month Celebration
      • Black Business Spotlight
      • Finances FYI
    • Arts + Culture
    • Photo Galleries
      • Photo of the Week
    • MSR Forefront Digital Roundtable Series
      • MSR Forefront Highlights
    • Go Green
    • Education
    • Bulletin
    • Jobs & Notices
      • Legals
      • Announcements
  • Events
    • Submit an event!
  • Obits
  • Sister Spokesman
  • e-Editions
Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder
  • News & Features
    • National
    • Local
    • Special Editions
      • MLK Legacy
      • Black History Month
      • The MSR Celebrates Women’s History Month
  • All Sections
    • Opinion
      • Mellaneous by Mel Reeves
      • Word on the Street
      • Reaching Out From Within
    • Health + Wellness
      • Women’s Wellness
      • Parenting Today
      • Minnesota Cancer Alliance Breast Cancer Gaps Project
    • Sports
      • Timberwolves/NBA
      • Lynx/WNBA
        • 20 in 20
      • Twins/MLB
      • MN Wild/NHL
      • Vikings/NFL
    • Business
      • Small Business Month Celebration
      • Black Business Spotlight
      • Finances FYI
    • Arts + Culture
    • Photo Galleries
      • Photo of the Week
    • MSR Forefront Digital Roundtable Series
      • MSR Forefront Highlights
    • Go Green
    • Education
    • Bulletin
    • Jobs & Notices
      • Legals
      • Announcements
  • Events
    • Submit an event!
  • Obits
  • Sister Spokesman
  • e-Editions
No Result
View All Result
Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder
No Result
View All Result

Racial Equity Justice Day at the Capitol a multicultural rally

by MSR News Online
March 12, 2014
21
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on LinkedIn

By Isaac Peterson

Contributing Writer

 

By most accounts, 2013 saw some promising action by the Minnesota State Legislature, such as passing the Dream Act and the Homeowners Bill of Rights. But with Minnesota at the bottom nationwide in terms of racial equality, there is clearly much work to be done.

To that end, last week the Organizing Apprentice Project (OAP) held the Racial Equity Justice Day at the Hill, an event that included a multiracial and multicultural mix of people and organizations — and that was attended by a few state legislators as well.

- ADVERTISEMENT -

The purpose of the rally, said Vina Kay, OAP’s director of research and policy, was to “attend to unfinished business in 2014.” The rally began in the Capitol Rotunda and included speakers and spoken word performances.

Racial Justice Rally.Lionessweb
Lioness
Photos by Bruce Silcox

Speaking were artist Brother Ali; Vina Kay; rap/hip hop performers Lioness and Guante; Peggy Flanagan of the Minnesota Children’s Defense Fund; Jovita Morales of Mesa Latina-Waite House; Nique Mabrey from

OutFront MN; Fernando Rodriguez, a sophomore at Owatonna High School and leader of Central Campesino Youth; Archie Davis of Trillium Works from Duluth; Nicole Buckanaga of Leech Lake; and Emilia Gonzalez Avalos of Navigate.

Vina Kay delivered a stirring call to action, declaring that “We have some unfinished business” and exhorting legislators to “look to our communities for solutions; make ‘welfare to work’ a true ladder out of poverty”; invest in affordable housing; raise the minimum wage; and restore voting rights to felons who had served their time, among other priorities.

Pointing out that Minnesota has the largest racial equality gap in the nation, Kay asked, “How do we address disparities in Minnesota?” and declared, “It’s time for people of color to have a seat at the table.” Peggy Flanagan reminded the crowd that “there are people in this building who work for you.”

- ADVERTISEMENT -

Jovita Morales, who addressed the crowd through an interpreter, told the group, “We need to call our representatives in government.” Nique Mabrey talked about Minnesota’s anti-bullying legislation, which she called the worst in the nation, and declared that “We need solutions, not supervisors; education, not incarceration.”

Nicole Buckanaga told the group, “People are still dying from racial injustice. People die every day for lack of human necessities,” and “we need to start asserting ourselves through political will.”

Noting some recently enacted legislation, Emilia Avalos said that we still “need to keep our immigrant families together. A better community is an organized community. Today we bring you solutions.”

A common theme throughout the day at the Capitol was a reminder to the crowd that “This is the people’s house.” OAP’s Brett Buckner closed with a call to action. Also in attendance were Minnesota State Representative Karen Clark and Senators Jeff Hayden and Patricia Torres Ray, who spoke with attendees after the rally.

After the rally segment of the event, the group was encouraged to meet with legislators to discuss issues of concern to communities of color, including:

- ADVERTISEMENT -

• Problems with payday lending

• Restoring the vote to felons, who are disproportionately people of color

• Issues with drivers licenses for immigrants

• Safe and secure schools

• Health equity

- ADVERTISEMENT -

• Minimum wage

• Prison phones

• Fair taxation and equity

• Housing equity

A group led by Artika Tyner of the Community Justice Project at the University of St. Thomas School of Law visited with State Representative Raymond Dehn to discuss the issue of prison phone justice. Representative Dehn has now agreed to author a bill that will address this issue.

After the event, Vina Kay told MSR, “OAP will be releasing a Racial Equity Bill Watch mid-session that will list bills that we and our partners are paying attention to [regarding] the possible impact on racial equity. Following the end of this session, OAP will release a 2013-14 biennium Legislative Report Card on Racial Equity.”

 

Isaac Peterson welcomes reader responses to ipeterson@spokesman-recorder.com.

 

Support Black local news

Help amplify Black voices by donating to the MSR. Your contribution enables critical coverage of issues affecting the community and empowers authentic storytelling.

Donate Now!

Share this:

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)

Like this:

Like Loading...
ADVERTISEMENT
Previous Post

City’s ‘Vision, Values, Goals & Strategic Directions’ open to public comment

Next Post

Last surviving Four Top honored as a living legend

MSR News Online

Reach the MSR staff at msrnewsonline@spokesman-recorder.com.

You Might Also Like

MN labor groups rally with auto workers
Local

MN labor groups rally with auto workers

‘Will You Love Me Tomorrow’ gives girl groups of ‘50s and ‘60s their due 
Arts & Culture

‘Will You Love Me Tomorrow’ gives girl groups of ‘50s and ‘60s their due 

Legals

Notice of Hearing by Publication (Minn. Stat. § 518B.01, subd. 8)

Legals

Notice of Hearing by Publication (Minn. Stat. § 518B.01, subd. 8)

Jobs & Opportunities

Invitation to Bid

Request for Proposals
Jobs & Opportunities

Request for Proposals

Next Post

Last surviving Four Top honored as a living legend

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
ADVERTISEMENT

Upcoming Events

Sep 12
September 12 @ 6:30 pm-December 18 @ 9:30 pm Recurring

Vic Volare Presents MUSIC FOR MARTINIS ft: Vic’s Fabulous Nightclub Academy

Sep 26
7:00 pm-9:00 pm

Climate and Equity in Minneapolis: What we could win in this year’s budget

Sep 27
8:00 am-12:45 pm

It’s Time to Talk: Forums on Race™

Sep 27
7:30 pm-9:30 pm Recurring

Ayodele Casel Rooted

View Calendar
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Read our latest e-Edition!

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Subscribe

  • Home/Office Delivery
  • Weekly e-newsletter
  • e-Editions

Support

  • Donate
  • Subscribe
  • MSR Newsstand Locations

Connect

  • About
    • MSR Staff
  • Contact
  • Send a news tip
  • About
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms

© 2023 Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder

No Result
View All Result
  • News & Features
    • Local
    • National
  • All Sections
    • Arts & Culture
    • Health & Wellness
      • Women’s Wellness
      • Parenting Today
      • MN Cancer Alliance Breast Cancer Gaps Project
    • Business
      • Black Business Spotlight
      • Finances FYI
      • Small Business Month Celebration
    • Opinion
    • Sports
  • Events
  • Obits
  • Sister Spokesman
  • Donate
  • Subscribe

© 2023 Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder

 

Loading Comments...
 

    %d bloggers like this: