submitted by greena@augsburg.edu
Students who live on campus (and other Auggies in Ward 2 – Parts of Cedar-Riverside, Seward, and Elliot Park):
You may have heard about City Council voting unanimously on a Charter Amendment in response to the killing of George Floyd and uprisings here and worldwide. Councilmember Cam Gordon believes it’s time for engagement around this major change to start and is hosting a number of community gatherings to discuss the Charter amendment, answer any questions people may have, and discuss further how this might move forward this year. All residents are welcome to attend whichever meeting is most convenient – note the one in Murphy Park! Please remember to bring your mask and keep distance from other attendees.
Brackett Park, Saturday, July 4, 11:00 am
Murphy Park, Sunday, July 5, 1:00 pm
Luxton Park, Monday, July 6, 6:30 pm
Matthews Park, Saturday, July 11, 1:00 pm
Van Cleve Park, Sunday, July 12, 2:00 pm
For Auggies who do not live in Ward 2, find your councilmember and ask them when they will be holding community meetings about this issue: http://www2.minneapolismn.gov/council/maps/index.htm
More background information from Councilmember Gordon:
The Council unanimously passed a resolution committing to transform the way we provide for each other’s safety on June 12, stating that “the City Council will commence a year long process of community engagement, research, and structural change to create a transformative new model for cultivating safety in our city.”
On June 26, Council voted on an amendment that would remove the Police Department as a Charter department, and replace it with a new Community Safety and Violence Prevention department, which will “have responsibility for public safety services, prioritizing a holistic, public health-oriented approach.” It will not preclude the City from continuing to employ licensed police officers, but will also not require us to do so.
