Legislative Update - September 18, 2025
Dear Neighbors –
Our community, Minneapolis, and our entire state are still actively grieving the tragic shooting at Annunciation Catholic Church, which took the lives of Fletcher Merkel and Harper Moyski and injured dozens of their classmates. This horrific act has shaken South Minneapolis to our core and we have joined communities around the state and the country that have lost so much because of the epidemic of gun violence in our country. Please continue to take care of each other, check in with each other, and don’t hesitate to seek out help and resources if you need it.
I have found some comfort in seeing our community come together and support each other, through vigils, two beautiful memorials, and people “moving their feet” to honor Fletcher and Harper. Their families, friends, and community continue to be in my heart, and I’d encourage you to read the Star Tribune’s coverage of both memorials to learn more about what amazing kids Fletcher and Harper were.
I have been inspired by the Annunciation parents who, in the midst of one of the most traumatic events possible, had the strength to testify at the Minnesota Senate’s gun violence prevention hearing this week. Their heartbreaking stories, their powerful demand for action, and our communities’ call for change cannot be ignored. It is a demand to act that is coming from around the district and across the state.
I was proud to join students from Washburn and Justice Page who, along with students around the state, moved their feet and coordinated walkouts to demand we take action on gun violence. They carried signs reading “Protect Kids, Not Guns” and “My Life is Worth More Than Your Gun” and demanded that adults act to keep them safe. We must take action for the sake of our children and the safety of us all.
Senate Gun Violence Hearing
We began this summer learning of the assassination of my friends Melissa and Mark Hortman, and the shooting of John and Yvette Hoffman, and now we are ending it with another instance of gun violence, right here in our district. We must treat this moment with the urgency it demands, and we must do everything in our power to get these weapons of war off our streets.
My colleagues in the Senate, including our own Senator Zaynab Mohamed, held hearings this week to listen to our community, take action, and begin discussions about actual policy change ahead of a potential Special Session called by Governor Walz.
The hearings on Monday focused on the voices of the parents, advocates, and community members who have been directly impacted by gun violence. Wednesday’s hearing centered on proposed solutions including banning assault weapons, safe storage laws, and more. You can watch recordings of the meetings on Monday and Wednesday here, or read this article in Minnpost for more details.
I want you to know that I am committed to getting these weapons of war out of our community. In a special session and as long as it takes, I’m in this fight for the long haul. We must take action to ban weapons of war, stand up to the corporate gun industry, and ensure that we can live our lives safely.
We have a long road ahead of us–even at this week’s hearings, the gun lobby was out in force, telling us to give up. But we can’t move on from this, and we can’t give up–no matter how long it takes.
Anti-Monopoly Summit
This week, I travelled to D.C. to attend the 2025 Anti-Monopoly Summit, hosted by the American Economic Liberties Project. I was invited to speak on a panel on work in the age of digital platforms, and to accept the Economic Liberty Award for the work we did in Minnesota to defend our nation-leading non-compete ban.
I appreciated the chance to talk about our work unrigging the economy and unrigging our democracy, but I closed my speech on a personal note about how we must take on the corporate power of the gun industry. Just like our ban on non-competes, banning weapons of war is incredibly popular, but special interests and big corporations will continue to stand in the way of progress. We have to show people that democracy works for them when they demand action on gun violence prevention.
You can watch my full speech here.
Stay in Touch
Thank you for your time, energy, and all you do to make our community a great place to live, work, and play. Always feel free to reach out to me with your input and ideas, or if I can ever be of assistance. My email is rep.emma.greenman@house.mn.gov or you are always welcome to call me at the Capitol at 651-296-4200 and follow my Facebook page for updates.
It’s an honor and a privilege to be your State Representative. I'm very proud of what we’ve been able to accomplish together and look forward to the work we have ahead of us. Together, we can create a stronger, brighter future for all Minnesotans!
Best,
Emma Greenman
State Representative