DFL Urges Action to Ease Minnesota Somali Remittances

Saying that humanitarian relief should be a non-partisan issue, two DFL legislators question why GOP leaders have not allowed a hearing on a resolution to help Minnesotans send money to their relatives in Somalia.

Senator Jeff Hayden and Representative Karen Clark say they have many Somali-Americans in their districts who can no longer send money to famine-ravaged Somalia because the US government is concerned the money could be directed to terrorists.

Their resolution urges federal action to find an amicable solution that would allow banks to provide money-transfers to the Horn of Africa. Since many Somali Minnesotans rely on this service to help feed their families back home, Clark and Hayden have taken up this issue. Republicans in control of the State House and Senate have been unwilling to schedule an official hearing to address the issue. In lieu of that, a “People’s Hearing” will take place tomorrow at 8:30 a.m.

Full video of news conference … Continue Reading

Police Corruption, Brutality Still Problems Says Former Minneapolis Police Chief Bouza

Ask any of the Occupy Minnesota protesters who had their face pushed into the pavement by police if police brutality is still a problem and they’ll say yes. Retired Minneapolis Police Chief Tony Bouza also agrees that police brutality is a problem as it has been for centuries.
“The behavior of the cops has not altered. The big problems are corruption and brutality.”

“The police world has remained amazingly constant since the Praetorian Guard,” says Bouza referring to the police of the Roman empire. He’s a critic of current police actions around the country but he says, “a loving critic.”

He doesn’t see much hope for substantial change until police chiefs dedicated to reform are appointed. Currently the main regress against police misconduct is to sue the city. This penalizes the city and its citizens but no effect on the police. He says, “The police are basically the instrument by which the overclass controls the underclass. That’s what they do.”

He faults the current Occupy movements for lack of clarity in objective. The Vietnam war protests were clear that in addition to opposing the war, they demanded that it end and to bring the troops home now. He’s not pessimistic about the future of Occupy, but cautious. “Until the giant’s attention is captured, not much will get done.”

Minneapolis City Council Upholds Occupy’s Right to Protest

By a 9-4 vote, the Minneapolis City Council voted against a resolution that would have effectively banned Occupy protesters from gathering in public plazas and parks after midnight without permits and given the police more power to crack down on demonstrations.

In lieu of striking the measure down outright, they sent it back to the Public Safety, Civil Rights and Health committee, which will discuss the measure on Wednesday at 1:30 p.m. Activists and other citizens will likely have the right to comment.

“I object to a city council that would attempt to pass an ordinance without a public hearing,” said council member Gary Schiff. “Particularly an ordinance that calls for new penalties, new citations, new actions by our police department. If we’re going to change those rules, let’s have a fair, open transparent public process.”

“It’s a solution in search of a problem,” said council member Betsy Hodges, who was among the nine opposed to Johnson’s measure.

Meanwhile, activists in the room silently wagged their fingers in the air — a telltale tool of the Occupy Wall Street movement — in support of the council’s challenge to Johnson’s measure.

Surprise legislation to stifle free speech shows Occupy is angering political leaders. … Continue Reading

“Our Vote Our Future” Campaign Opposes Voter Photo ID Amendment

A coalition from across Minnesota gathered inside the State Capitol this morning to launch the “Our Vote Our Future” campaign to defeat the Voter Photo ID constitutional amendment that will appear on the November election ballot. The coalition includes rural organizations, nonprofits, labor unions, faith-based and community organizations. The group talked about its effort to educate and mobilize Minnesotans to reject the photo ID amendment.

Occupy Confronts Mayor Over Police “Ambush”, Calls For His Ouster

After a loud persistent demonstration at Minneapolis Mayor R. T. Rybak’s office on April 9, 2012, the mayor agreed to meet with Police Chief Tim Dolan and the representatives of Occupy Minneapolis on April 10, 2012. The group was mostly quiet and more disciplined that the demonstration the day before. Before meeting the organizers asked the group to be silent as possible and “more civil.”

It was a tense confrontation. The Occupy speakers presented specific complaints asking for a yes or no answer. Sam Richards, one of those arrested said, “For a mayor who is often lauded as a champion progressive, it’s slightly shocking how quiet you’ve been on this issue.”

Others questioned the allocation of such massive force, the attacks by the police and the general problem of police actions against the African American Community.

The responses by the mayor and the chief were mostly, “If you have evidence present us to the mayor’s office or the police department.” When repeatedly pressed if he condemned police violence, the mayor responded, “I already have.”

Mayor wants the evidence … Continue Reading

Sheriff’s Sale Victory For “Occupy” Homeowner In US Bank Foreclosure Battle

John and Lucinda Vinje risked losing their Bloomington, Minn., home to a sheriff’s sale this week after it went through foreclosure. But the Occupy Homes movement, which has come to their defense, staged a spirited rally Monday morning at the Hennepin County Government Center and at Minneapolis City Hall to defend the Vinje home. Occupy activists made it clear to any potential buyers that if you acquire the home, the demonstrators come with it.

“We’re gonna let any potential buyer know that when they buy John Vinje’s house, they’re not just buying a house, they’re buying a serious problem for themselves,” said Occupy Homes activist Ty Moore. “They’re buying a homeowner who says he’s not leaving, and they’re buying a social movement that says we’re going to defend John and homeowners like him.”

Ultimately, no buyers showed up — giving John Vinje a likely six-week window of opportunity to negotiate with U.S. Bank. The Air Force veteran, security guard and union activist with SEIU declared victory with a defiant speech in the basement of City Hall.

“So, we’ve been putting pressure on U.S. Bank for five and a half months,” he told Occupy activists. “You know what? They finally buckled. We got until the end of May now to sit down with them and talk about getting the mortgage loan fixed.”

“Not only did we win for my wife and I today. But this sets a precedent for every other homeowner across the state of Minnesota. Don’t let these big banks scare you by saying they’re gonna take you to a sheriff’s sale. We were backed into a corner and you know who buckled? It’s not us, it’s them! They have seen the power of the 99 percent and they don’t want to mess with the 99 percent.” … Continue Reading

Minneapolis Mayor, Occupy To Discuss Police “Ambush” And Arrests

Occupy Minnesota protesters showed their wounds and vented their anger Monday over what they say was a police “ambush” of a peaceful Easter eve protest. They are asking Minneapolis Mayor R.T Rybak to order police to stand down. The Mayor has agreed to meet with them Tuesday at 1pm.

Saturday night, police arrested 12 activists and detained them until 4 a.m. The arrest happened after the occupiers left downtown Peavey Plaza with their tents in tow. This video released by Occupy MN shows the police using horses to tame the crowd and pinning demonstrators to the sidewalk. During the arrests, a KSTP cameraman was assaulted by an officer. The Occupy activists had chosen April 7 to set up a presence in Loring Park and Peavey Plaza because that was the six-month anniversary of their encampment in front of City Hall.

“The attack was completely uncalled for and unnecessary, and I think Mayor Rybak needs to order his police to stand down and let us have our constitutional rights,” said Occupy activist Sam Richards, who was among the dozen arrested.

The group is calling attention to how the economic cards are now stacked against most of us because a record amount of wealth is now concentrated the hands of just one percent of the population.

About 100 protestors, including those arrested, met at City Hall Monday to demonstrate in opposition to the arrests before moving to Rybak’s office. The group demanded a meeting with the mayor, who they were informed was not in the office. The Mayor’s staff threatened to remove them with security forces, but the presence of six media video camera may have acted as a restraining influence. Finally, a representative of the mayor allowed two activists to meet with his staff. About 15 minutes later the representatives returned with an agreement that the mayor would meet with them today at 1 p.m. … Continue Reading

MN Police Chief Calls Cop’s Action During Occupy Arrests Unnecessary, Disappointing

Minneapolis Police Chief Timothy Dolan publicly scolded an officer who apparently assaulted a KSTP cameraman Saturday night during arrests of Occupy activists attempting to occupy Peavey Plaza on Nicolet Mall. Dolan issued this press release earlier today:

“The Minneapolis Police Department’s Internal Affairs Unit is in the process of reviewing the incident involving a KSTP cameraman Chad Nelson last Saturday evening. We instructed all of our officers before this, and any demonstration, to not take individual actions unless they are warranted for personal safety. From my preliminary review of the video regarding Mr. Nelson, the officer’s interference does not appear to be necessary. If that is the case, I am a very disappointed.”

Video shows apparent police assault of KSTP cameraman … Continue Reading

Governor Dayton Vetoes Voter Photo ID Amendement

[Acknowledging that he has no power to prevent the voter photo ID constitutional amendment from going on the ballot, Governor Mark Dayton still vetoed the measure because it was presented to him as a bill to sign.

The Governor used his veto message to House Speaker Kurt Zellers to call the amendment a "wolf in sheep's clothing", "unwise and unnecessary" and urge voters to reject it this November.

Dayton Voter Photo ID Amendment Veto Message

Governor Dayton’s vetoing of a constitutional amendment is not unprecedented. Last year he vetoed the anti-gay marriage amendment and called it a symbolic action, even though he could not prevent it from appearing on this fall’s ballot.

MN Police Evict, Arrest Occupy Protesters on Easter Eve

Minneapolis police removed Occupy protesters’ tents from downtown Peavey Plaza Saturday night and arrested 12 of the activists during a march around 10 p.m. at Hennepin Ave and 5th Street.

Police spokesman Sgt. Steve McCarty told MPR News that the activists blocked intersections and impeded an ambulance on an emergency call, whereas demonstrators say they moved to the side to let the ambulance pass.

This video provided by Occupy MN shows police on horseback trying to disburse the crowd and other police pinning activists to the ground.

“It’s absolutely shameful that the Minneapolis police are attacking and arresting peaceful protesters exercising their first amendment rights while the bankers and corporate crooks who crashed our economy are walking free,” said Sam Richards, an active duty national guardsman and organizer with Occupy Minneapolis who was among those arrested.

Why occupy sets up camp again … Continue Reading