Dear Neighbors,
George Floyd should be alive today. My thoughts are with his family and friends, the Minneapolis community, and our neighbors of color.
A few nights ago, I joined community members for an evening of peaceful protest, starting with a march in Plymouth and ending with a candlelight vigil in Minnetonka. It was moving to see our community coming together to demonstrate peacefully and call for justice.
POCI Caucus Proposals
We must address persistent inequalities in our society in order to heal and rebuild our state. Last week, lawmakers from the People of Color and Indigenous (POCI) Caucus unveiled a package of legislation to help ensure all Minnesotans can be safe in their communities. You can read an overview of their proposals here. These include measures that 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
- Repair and build community trust and create community-centered public safety
I’ll work with my POCI Caucus colleagues and members of our community to make these long overdue reforms a priority in future legislative sessions, including a likely special session this Friday.
Support our Twin Cities Neighbors
I want to thank everyone who has lent a hand to our Twin Cities neighbors during these difficult times. It’s heartwarming to see people coming together to gather food and supplies for communities in need. This outpouring of generosity is yet another example of the way Minnesotans care about each other. If you’re wondering how you can help, the Star Tribune published a list of opportunities that you might find useful here.
Stay Safe Minnesota
Indoor dining, gyms, and entertainment venues will start reopening tomorrow as we enter a new phase of the Stay Safe Plan. If you’d like to support local businesses, please wear a mask, make a reservation if possible, and keep a six-foot distance between yourself and others. Protecting yourself, other patrons, and employees will help make the gradual reopening process a success. You can find more details about the next phase of the Stay Safe Plan here.
The Minnesota Department of Health is advising everyone who attended a protest, vigil, or community event to get tested for COVID-19. If you start to feel sick, you should get tested right away. If you don’t feel sick, get tested 5-7 days after the event. If the test is negative and you’re worried you might have been exposed, you can get another test 12-14 days after the event. You can find more information and nearby testing locations here.
I’d like to thank everyone who has called or sent me an email over the last two weeks, and all of you who are raising your voices and moving us powerfully toward justice. It’s an honor to represent our incredible communities at the Capitol.
Sincerely,
Patty Acomb
State Representative