For those of you interested in other ways to help, the Star Tribune released a list of resources you might find useful. My work in the Minnesota House now turns to the ways we can enact systemic change to address the deep-rooted issues that led not only to the death of George Floyd and other black and brown Minnesotans, but the ongoing unrest in the Twin Cities and areas all over the country. Today, DFL members of the POCI (People of Color and Indigenous) Caucus announced measures for police and criminal justice reform, as well as their intent to make these issues a priority during a likely special session this month. You can watch their press conference, or read an overview of their proposals. These include measures to:
- Reform the investigation and prosecution process 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
- Repair and build community trust and create community-centered public safety
I stand firmly with my POCI colleagues and members of our community, and will fight for these long overdue reforms. These issues, along with additional measures to address COVID-19 and its impact on Minnesotans, continue to be a priority for me as we work towards an upcoming special session.
|