Tag: Minnesota People of Color Indigenous Caucus

Minnesota POCI Caucus Statement on Public Safety Accountability

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA — Today, Monday June 28, the People of Color and Indigenous Caucus (POCI) introduced a number of amendments to the Public Safety and Judiciary budget bill. This is in response to the absence of several necessary accountability measures in the current bill language. The POCI Caucus is also calling on Governor Walz to use his executive authority to enact several reforms. The POCI Caucus released the following statement. 

 “Minneapolis, Minnesota is the recent epicenter of a racial justice reckoning happening across the United States. After the murder of George Floyd at the hands of Derek Chauvin, people from all backgrounds took to the streets demanding change. Unfortunately the changes sought by so many, that would help diminish the killing of BIPOC people at the hands of the police, did not emerge.

“During the regular session and through the special session, the POCI Caucus and members of the House DFL Public Safety Committee worked tirelessly to move meaningful police accountability policies in negotiations with the Senate Republican Majority who refused to hold bad actors accountable. The bill as posted does not include the significant changes to hold police accountable or to prevent future harm. 

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POCI Caucus Statement on Shooting of Daunte Wright

MN POCI Logo

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA — On Sunday, police fatally shot Daunte Wright during a traffic stop in Brooklyn Center. The Minnesota People of Color and Indigenous (POCI) Caucus released the following statement:

“Once again, a young Black man who was beloved by his family and community was killed by a police officer during a traffic stop. This painful statement could be recited by memory at this point. However, while this tragedy is distressingly familiar, we must remember that Daunte Wright was a unique human being, brimming with life and potential until it was cut short in a senseless act of violence. Daunte Wright’s life mattered.

This perpetual trauma wrought upon our Black communities is exhausting. To our community; please take time to rest and recover if you are able, these coming days will be incredibly difficult. We will need our energy and health to seek justice and maintain peace in our communities. At the Legislature we have several police accountability bills that are ready to be voted on and sent to the Governor, including the House DFL Public Safety & Criminal Justice Reform budget bill which contains several critical reforms. We strongly urge our Republican colleagues to join us in creating a public safety system that will protect the lives of people like Daunte Wright.

Black Lives Matter.”

The People of Color & Indigenous (POCI) Caucus includes Reps. Esther Agbaje (59B), Jamie Becker-Finn (42B), Cedrick Frazier (45A), Aisha Gomez (62B), Hodan Hassan (Vice- Chair 62A), Kaohly Her (64A), Athena Hollins (66B), Heather Keeler (04A), Fue Lee (59A), Carlos Mariani (65B), Rena Moran (65A), Mohamud Noor (60B), Ruth Richardson (52B), John Thompson (67A), Samantha Vang (Chair, 40B), Jay Xiong (67B), Tou Xiong (53B), and Senators Bobby Joe Champion (59), Omar Fateh (62), Melisa Franzen (49), Foung Hawj (67), Mary Kunesh (41), Patricia Torres Ray (Chair, 63)