Dear neighbors,
It’s now been just over a week since the appalling killing of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police officers.
Like so many of us, I’ve struggled to fully process the event and its aftermath. I’ve felt horror from watching Mr. Floyd’s murder, pride in the thousands peacefully marching and calling for justice, and determination to use my own privilege as a white man to help dismantle the structural racism and systemic inequities that contributed to his death. I’ve felt anxious and disheartened about the violence and destruction that have diverted attention from these injustices. And I’ve felt great love for our community in the relief and cleanup efforts over the weekend.
Today, I was proud to join my colleagues in the People of Color and Indigenous (POCI) Caucus in unveiling an agenda for legislative action, building upon bills that we’ve worked on in the last several sessions. The proposals - full list here - would:
- Reform the investigation and prosecution of officer-involved deaths and wrongful actions,
- Increase police accountability and transparency,
- Raise standards of conduct and support officer excellence,
- Partner officers with the communities they serve, and
- Repair and build community trust and create community-centered public safety.
Please know how grateful I’ve been to hear from you – your own reactions, your own suggestions for policy change, and your own commitment toward racial justice. Please keep them coming! Together, we’ll work toward a society where the full humanity of every person is respected and where every person can thrive.
Take care,
Dave Pinto
State Representative, District 64B
439 State Office Building
(651) 296-4199
www.house.leg.state.mn.us/64b
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