Wednesday, August 26, 2020SAINT PAUL - The members of the Minnesota Legislature’s People of Color and Indigenous (POCI) Caucus issued the following statement in response to the shooting of Jacob Blake by Kenosha, Wisconsin police: “We know too well the immense pain Jacob Blake, his family, and his community are going through. We express our deepest sympathies and wish Mr. Blake a healthful recovery. “Recent reports show that while he has survived this vicious attack, he is paralyzed from the waist down, potentially permanently. These merciless shootings and the trauma they inflict upon our communities must stop. Mr. Blake’s children bore witness to this terrifying act in a scene all too familiar to that of the murder of Philando Castille. The trauma and pain they will carry with them for the rest of their lives is incalculable. The systematic murder and terrorizing of Black Americans must end. “We unequivocally stand with Mr. Blake and his family. We demand justice for Jacob Blake. We demand that the officer at fault be charged and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. “While we made some significant changes in Minnesota, we know that much work remains to be done. We will not stop until people of color and Indigenous people are no longer forced to face the horror that Jacob Blake, George Floyd, and Breonna Taylor have faced. We will continue our efforts to create state laws that bring accountability, greater humanity, and community-centered public safety – all with race equity – towards ending the unacceptable use of excessive force or killings of people of color and Indigenous people at the hands of our law enforcement entities.” The People of Color & Indigenous (POCI) Caucus includes Reps. Jamie Becker-Finn (42B), Aisha Gomez (62B), Hodan Hassan (62A), Kaohly Her (64A), Mary Kunesh-Podein (41B), Fue Lee (59A), Alice Mann (56B), Carlos Mariani (65B), Rena Moran (65A), Mohamud Noor (60B), Ruth Richardson (52B), Samantha Vang (40B), Jay Xiong (67B), Tou Xiong (53B), and Sens. Melisa Franzen (49), Foung Hawj (67), Jeff Hayden (62), Bobby Joe Champion (59), and Patricia Torres Ray (63).
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Tuesday, August 18, 2020ST. PAUL, MN – Today, Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison announced Minnesota and several other states have filed a federal lawsuit challenging dramatic operational changes at the U.S. Postal Service that could undermine the state and national election in November. Members of the House People of Color and Indigenous (POCI) Caucus issued the following statement in response: “We applaud Attorney General Ellison for his efforts to protect our democracy and the U.S. Postal Service. The Trump Administration is interfering with postal service operations for political gain. Their intent is to prevent people from voting by forcing Americans to choose between casting a ballot and putting themselves, their loved ones, and their communities at risk. “In the wake of the passing of civil rights icon Rep. John Lewis, we must rededicate ourselves to the fight for voting rights. Delaying mail service would further disenfranchise communities of color and low-income Minnesotans. The Trump Administration is trying to suppress our voices, but we will do everything in our power to ensure every eligible voter has the opportunity to participate in our democracy.” The House People of Color & Indigenous (POCI) Caucus includes Reps. Jamie Becker-Finn (42B), Aisha Gomez (62B), Hodan Hassan (62A), Kaohly Her (64A), Mary Kunesh-Podein (41B), Fue Lee (59A), Alice Mann (56B), Carlos Mariani (65B), Rena Moran (65A), Mohamud Noor (60B), Ruth Richardson (52B), Samantha Vang (40B), Jay Xiong (67B), and Tou Xiong (53A). |
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