St. Paul, Minnesota — Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman, House Majority Leader Ryan Winkler, Public Safety Committee Chair Carlos Mariani, and People of Color and Indigenous Caucus Chair Rena Moran released the following statements:
“This is a crucial time in our state and Minnesotans are calling on us to do the hard work to enact meaningful reforms – like those from the POCI Caucus that we’re moving forward in the House – right now,” said Rep. Mariani. “Without strong accountability measures, people in Black, Indigenous, and communities of color will continue to lack the justice they deserve. This is unacceptable, and we call on Senate Republicans to partner with us to seize this moment and deliver true public safety.”
“For generations, Black Minnesotans have been expected to wait patiently for equity and justice. Real criminal justice reforms and accountability for police violence is just one example of needing to wait entirely too long,” said Rep. Moran. “We aren’t prepared to accept arbitrary deadlines or lines in the sand from Republicans when it comes to this issue. We have the opportunity to do truly transformational work, and we’re prepared to do whatever it takes to deliver fairness, justice, and safety in our communities.”
“Not a single item in the Senate proposals addresses the problem of a lack of accountability for police,” said Speaker Hortman. “The House proposals, shaped by working with members of our communities, would take the first steps in making systemic change that will lead to accountability.”
“While Republicans are open to changing some rules for police, DFLers are putting forward real consequences for bad conduct that will lead to change,” said Majority Leader Winkler. “To not meet the moment we're in would be completely unacceptable. The House DFL, led by the POCI Caucus, has a plan for police accountability. We hope Republicans will join us.”