Minnesota and National Report

It is rather pathetic to know that 368 days after the death of George Floyd at the hands of a Minneapolis Police Officer no significant police reform language has passed with the US Congress or the Minnesota Legislature. The failure to pass the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act in Congress or HF0445 which failed because progressive DFL Caucus members felt it didn’t go far enough, and there is little faith the measure would have passed the Republican controlled Senate.

In addition to being the anti-government party the Republicans are also the law & order party that sides with law enforcement and calls for bills to curtain civil unrest. Specifically, in the Minnesota Senate Majority Leader Paul Gazelka called for more policing on the Light Rail last legislative session, because constituents of his were scared to ride on the train to Twins Games, because of crimes committed there.

All we know is this no one should be killed by a cop over a cigarette (Eric Garner), $20 (Floyd), or a no-knock warrant (Breanna Taylor).

Chokeholds should be banned nationally, yes, they have been here in Minnesota, but far more can be done.

So the anniversary passes without anything to celebrate and so the calls for justice continue.