‘The City of Minneapolis has nearly 800 officers, yet only a handful live within the city.’
Wayne Nealis
Posted inOpinion
​Minneapolis officials still have not taken police violence seriously
‘The Federation, under the agreement in effect, acts as the de facto employer as it wins most reinstatement cases.’
Posted inOpinion
Daunte Wright’s death was not accidental
A question the media seldom asks. Why do all police officers need to carry lethal weapons?
Posted inNews
Artists, community members collaborate on mural
It is often said that the activity of creating art or music brings people together like few other human activities. For 15 years the mural project, sponsored by Hope Community, has been doing just that by creating murals across South Minneapolis. This includes the history-themed mural on the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder building that is almost completed. This […]
Posted inNews
Activists propose upending present policing structure
Other cities explore new visions of public safety The demand for community control of police was placed on the national political agenda in August when over 50 organizations, under the banner of the Movement for Black Lives, adopted the political platform, “A Vision for Black Lives: Policy Demands for Black Power, Freedom and Justice.” The […]
Posted inOpinion
The current police rulebook doesn’t support de-escalation
“There was not a lot of choice in the altercation,” were words spoken by Baltimore County, police spokeswoman, Elise Armacost, to justify the events that led to police killing Korryn Shandawn Gaines, age 23 of Maryland. Not a lot of choices? Let’s consider some real choices outside the policing rulebook, a rulebook that when followed […]
Posted inNews
Chicagoans push for community control of police
Organizers say only an elected civilian council can hold cops accountable The decades-long struggle for democratic, community control of police in Chicago turned a corner on July 20 when the city council’s Committee on Public Safety accepted legislation that would create a Civilian Police Accountability Council (CPAC). CPAC would have authority over policing standards and […]
Posted inOpinion
Accountability impacts how communities perceive law enforcement
This must be said: The burden and responsibility falls on law enforcement and political leaders to stop the systemic police brutality and killing that created the context in which a former U.S. soldier snapped and killed police officers in Dallas. The protests of African American communities and Black Lives Matter are not responsible for his […]
Posted inOpinion
A demand for Black community control of police
Some 40 years ago, Black activists raised the demand for Black community control of policing practices and who patrols their communities. It is time to put this back on the agenda.
Posted inNews
Protesters react to county attorney’s decision in Jamar Clark case
Last week, leaders of the Twin Cities Coalition for Justice for Jamar responded to Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman’s March 30 announcement that he would not prosecute two police officers for the killing of Jamar Clark.
Posted inNews
Mpls residents protest privatizing public housing
Residents of Glendale Townhomes told Minneapolis city council members last week in no uncertain terms that they do not intend to become the next victims of gentrification. “We are not moving out. Repair our homes,” read numerous signs.
Posted inOpinion
Time for law enforcement to listen to criticism
The recent open letter issued by the police union presidents of Minneapolis and St. Paul (1/4/15) does not indicate a readiness to listen, but to lecture those critical of law enforcement (www.mpdfederation.com/police). Like police union leaders in New York City and elsewhere, their letter seems to make the same spurious claim that protests against police […]