As a multi-racial, multi-issue, statewide organization based in the Twin Cities, we are proud to be working to reimagine public safety in Minneapolis and across the state.
Last Friday, I was thrilled to help deliver more than 20,000 Yes 4 Minneapolis petition signatures to the Minneapolis City Clerk. This is a major step in our work to create a public safety system that is all-inclusive, where everyone has healthy food to eat, a warm bed, and a roof over their head; and where everyone feels safe in our schools, our homes, our communities, and our lives.
After the murder of George Floyd, we knew that we had to go all-in by engaging our strong base of Minneapolis members, standing with our Black and brown siblings, and finding a path for safety that works for everyone. We are honored to partner with Black-led organizations like Black Visions Collective and Reclaim the Block that are anchoring this work, as well as the many coalition partners that are using the power of our local democracy to reimagine what safety looks like in our neighborhoods.
By putting the Yes 4 Minneapolis amendment on the ballot, we are giving everyone in Minneapolis a chance to decide what safety means to them.
After we vote YES to pass this in November, the next step will be the replacement of the Minneapolis Police Department with a new Department of Public Safety through the Minneapolis City Council.
This will allow us to move away from a policing-only public safety model, and to adopt a more holistic public health approach that includes non-police first responders, such as mental health and social workers, and prioritizes investments in community.
These last few weeks have been difficult me. Have they been difficult for you? The pain, the grief of more lives lost to the police are almost unbearable.
No matter your thoughts on policing, no matter your political affiliations – we have all felt the weight of the last few weeks.
That is the reason we’re fighting to pass this ballot initiative – not only in defense of Black lives but in celebration of them. And we are inviting everyone in: everyone who stands in support of safe streets, every single resident of Minneapolis.We are clear on this. Safety is about all of us, and Yes 4 Minneapolis is the path forward! Learn more and get involved with the Yes 4 Minneapolis campaign here. I’m excited to build community-centered, people-powered public safety with you!
