Tag: George Floyd

Following George Floyd’s killing, Minn. House Public Safety Division discusses criminal justice and police accountability reforms

House DFL logoSAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA – Today during a public hearing lasting over seven hours, the Minnesota House Public Safety and Criminal Justice Reform Division considered a series of criminal justice and police accountability reforms. The legislation – the Minnesota Police Accountability Act of 2020 – was developed following the killing of George Floyd by a Minneapolis Police Officer and is aimed at reimagining and reforming public safety in the state.

“While people across the planet have their eyes on Minnesota, our state must seize this opportunity to lead the way by enacting reforms to prevent people of color from losing their lives at the hands of police, the very people charged with serving and protecting our communities,” said Rep. Carlos Mariani (DFL – Saint Paul), division chair and chief author of the legislation. “This was a long hearing out of necessity, both because of the number of proposals and the number of voices – from Black, people of color and Indigenous Minnesotans – who are calling on us to fundamentally shift the role of policing in our state to be more community-focused. We must ensure everyone – no matter where they live or what they might look like – can experience true public safety.”

The series of legislation – proposed by the Legislature’s People of Color and Indigenous (POCI) Caucus – is contained in three distinct packages. The Reclaiming Community Oversight Act includes the following proposals:

  • Data Practices Modifications for Peace Officers (Her)
    • Retroactive Repeal of Statutes of Limitations (Vang)
    • Warrior Training Prohibited (Richardson)
    • Choke Hold Ban (Moran)
    • Duty to Intercede (Becker-Finn)
    • Police Residency Reform (Hassan)
    • Data Collection and Regulatory Reform/etc. (Mariani)
    • Arbitration Reform (Her)
    • Law Enforcement Oversight Council Reform (Gomez)

The Reforming Accountability Act includes:

  • Use of Force Reform (Moran)
  • Prosecutorial Reform (Becker-Finn)
  • Investigatory Reform (Mariani)
  • Cash Bail (Noor)

Finally, the Re-imagining Public Safety Act:

  • Public Safety Peer Counseling Debriefing (Noor)
    • Police Officer Critical Incident Review (Kunesh-Podein)
    • Community Led Public Safety (Gomez)
    • Mental Health Training (Richardson)
    • Autism Training (Richardson)
    • Restore the Vote (Moran)

Votes on the legislation and consideration of potential amendments to the legislation will be taken up in a public hearing on Monday.

A research memo on the legislation can be accessed here. Introductory remarks from Rep. Mariani and Rep. Rena Moran (DFL – Saint Paul), chair of the POCI Caucus, can be accessed here. Video of the hearing will be available on House Public Information Services’ YouTube channel and Facebook page. Supporting documents – including bill language – can be found on the division webpage.

 

Minnesota corrections officer under investigation after outburst during George Floyd moment of silence

Corrections officer made comment during moment of silence Tuesday.

A Minnesota corrections officer is under internal investigation following an outburst during Tuesday’s statewide moment of silence for George Floyd.

Gov. Tim Walz issued a proclamation that morning to coincide with the 46-year-old’s funeral service in Houston and honor other lives cut short by “systems of racism and discrimination” in the state.

But when prison administrators cleared the air for the remembrance, a voice crackled through on their radios: Continue reading.

Sheriff Hutchinson’s Commitment to Law Enforcement that Justly Serves All Communities

To the Residents of Hennepin County:

As your elected Sheriff, I am responsible for leading over 800 employees in the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office. As a full-service law enforcement agency our work includes: 911 Dispatch, Patrol, Criminal Intelligence, Investigations, Forensic Sciences Lab, Warrants, Jail, Court Security, Community Outreach and Civil Process.

Like you, I was outraged by the murder of George Floyd. His tragic death has unified people across the nation to demand change in a criminal justice system that, historically, has disproportionately impacted black, indigenous and people of color. As a law enforcement officer, I swore an oath and have dedicated my life to ensuring all those who live, work or visit Hennepin County are safe and treated with respect. I ran for Sheriff because I heard from community members across the county about their desire for change. A resounding concern I heard was the absolute right of equal treatment from law enforcement, no matter the color of your skin or your economic status. From the day I was sworn into office, I started this important work, and made many necessary changes to ensure we fulfill this right to our communities. But we need to continue our work to reform law enforcement. I am committed to working with the community to bring about this change through listening, fostering dialogue and continually and thoroughly reviewing office policies and procedures. Continue reading “Sheriff Hutchinson’s Commitment to Law Enforcement that Justly Serves All Communities”

Gen. Milley’s apology shows respect for the principles Trump tramples on

Washington Post logoTEN DAYS after walking in combat fatigues through Lafayette Square with President Trump, just after the park was cleared of peaceful protesters, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Army Gen. Mark A. Milley, has apologized for getting involved in domestic politics. The general is on target. He should never have been there, and it is to his great credit to admit the mistake. It may encourage others always to respect the Constitution, even when a president is beckoning to cross the line.

On June 1, people protesting the killing of George Floyd in police custody were pushed back with the use of chemical irritants, and Mr. Trump walked to a photo opportunity to hold up a Bible at St. John’s Episcopal Church, trailed by Gen. Milley, Defense Secretary Mark T. Esper and Attorney General William P. Barr, among others. Earlier, Mr. Esper had joined the president in a conference call with governors and promised federal support against violence. Mr. Esper told the governors, “I think the sooner that you mass and dominate the battlespace, the quicker this dissipates and we can get back to the right normal. We need to dominate the battlespace.”

Both Mr. Esper and Gen. Milley showed miserable judgment. The military’s purpose is to fight foreign adversaries, the United States is not a “battlespace,” and walking along with Mr. Trump in a park where peaceful demonstrators had been repulsed sent a terrible signal. Last week, both the secretary and the chairman, having come under blistering criticism, issued letters to the troops reaffirming their commitment to the oath all have taken to uphold the Constitution and its values of free speech and assembly. Continue reading.

Tucker Carlson’s Racism Repels Five Big Fox Advertisers

Update: Shortly after this post was published, Vari dropped Carlson’s program as well.

Over the past 72 hours, Tucker Carlson’s Fox News show lost four major advertisers: T-Mobile, SmileDirectClub, Disney and Papa John’s.

This recent advertising loss began on Tuesday when T-Mobile announced that it would no longer advertise on Carlson’s Fox News program. T-Mobile’s CEO Mike Sievert also weighed in, responding to a Twitter user who had asked if the company supported a program like Carlson’s by saying that “It definitely is not. Bye-bye Tucker Carlson! #BlackLivesMatter”

On Wednesday, SmileDirectClub, Disney, and Papa John’s all confirmed they would likewise cease advertising on Carlson’s prime-time show. This is a major loss for Carlson and Fox News as a whole. Continue reading.

Senate at logjam over changing ‘qualified immunity’ for police

The Hill logoQualified immunity is emerging as a key sticking point in the congressional debate over reforming the police.

The legal doctrine, which can protect police officers from civil lawsuits, is facing fresh national scrutiny in the wake of George Floyd’s killing in the custody of Minneapolis police.

But what, if anything, to do to change it is creating deep divisions in Congress, just as lawmakers are trying to find a larger deal. Continue reading.

CrossFit CEO Resigns After George Floyd Tweet Prompts Backlash

The CEO of CrossFit is stepping down after his tweet about George Floyd sparked a social media backlash and led to affiliated gyms and Reebok cutting ties with the exercise brand.

Greg Glassman said in a statement posted on CrossFit Inc.’s website late Tuesday that he decided to retire. Glassman had apologized earlier for tweets that sparked online outrage by connecting Floyd, a black man who died at the hands of Minneapolis police, and the coronavirus pandemic. He said he had made a mistake and should have been more sensitive, but denied being racist.

“On Saturday I created a rift in the CrossFit community and unintentionally hurt many of its members,” he said. “I cannot let my behavior stand in the way of HQ’s or affiliates’ missions.” Continue reading.

Minneapolis officer who knelt on George Floyd’s neck was in plea bargain talks before arrest

The plea negotiations between Derek Chauvin’s legal team and the Hennepin County attorney and the federal prosecutor ultimately failed.

MINNEAPOLIS – The police officer shown on video kneeling on the neck of George Floyd prior to his death in custody was in talks to strike a plea bargain before his arrest, officials said Wednesday.

The legal team for Derek Chauvin, who was fired from the Minneapolis police force after Floyd’s detainment and death on May 25, was in negotiations with the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office and the federal prosecutor, said Chuck Laszewski, spokesman for Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman.

“Ultimately, the negotiations failed,” Laszewski said.“Ultimately, the negotiations failed,” Laszewski said. Continue reading.

White men mocked George Floyd’s death at a protest. Now a corrections officer in the group has been suspended.

Washington Post logoAs a peaceful Black Lives Matter march made its way through Franklin Township, N.J., the group protesting against police brutality and systemic racism walked past a white man kneeling on the neck of another white man in a mocking reenactment of George Floyd’s death.

The men were part of a group of white counterprotesters with flags supporting President Trump and “Blue Lives Matter” that barked, “Black lives matter to no one,” and “Police lives matter,” at those marching on Monday to remember Floyd, the unarmed black man whose death after Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin knelt on his neck for almost nine minutes has sparked widespread protests.

“This is what happens when you don’t comply with the cops!” yelled the man who was kneeling on the other man’s neck, according to a video shared to social media. “Comply with the cops and this wouldn’t have happened! He didn’t comply!” (Floyd did indeed comply with police, according to the criminal complaint filed against the officers.) Continue reading.

George Floyd died after officers didn’t step in. These police say they did — and paid a price.

Washington Post logoBUFFALO — When video of Buffalo police officers shoving and then walking past a bleeding, unmoving protester went viral, former Buffalo police officer Cariol Horne thought back to 2006 when, she says, a white colleague choked a handcuffed black man.

Horne says she told him to stop, then yanked the bigger officer’s arm away. According to the Buffalo News, the colleague accused her of jumping on him while he struggled for control. No one filmed the moment; other officers were there, according to news reports, but none backed her story during an independent arbitration, and Horne was fired.

“I always say that if I had to do it again, I would,” she told The Washington Post. Continue reading.