The Minneapolis City Council took the first official step towards making large changes the Minneapolis Police Department (MPD) during an emergency meeting, Friday.
Members of the Council and Minnesota Congresswoman Ilhan Omar have both supported abolishing MPD entirly.
For several days, members of the Council have promised to dismantle the MPD after a man, George Floyd, died in police custody, March 25. Floyd’s untimely death triggered a wave of protests, riots and unrest both in Minnesota and across America. One common demand of those who have taken to the streets is the abolition of the police— a wish the city council seems keen on granting. On Friday, the council approved the language for a court order that stipulates several changes be made to the way the department operates. Although this order has yet to receive a judicial signature, councilmember Cunningham promises that this is only the beginning, and that “big things” are coming.
The Mpls City Council took the first step today to begin the process of restructuring our approach to public safety. A lot of work ahead. Keep your eye on us even when the media fades away. We’re going to do big things here. https://t.co/JrEomtRH5L
— Phillipe Cunningham (@CunninghamMPLS) June 5, 2020
The order that the council voted to affirm Friday will, if signed by the Judge of the Hennepin County District Court, requires the police chief or a high ranking designee of the chief to personally authorize all use of crowd control weapons (tear gas) against protestors. It will also ban the use of chokeholds and require officers to intervene against those who employ the tatic.
After Friday’s meeting, Omar praised the Council for its actions and characterized MPD as “a system that is rotten.”
We can’t reform a system that is rotten, reimagining and reconstructing a new way forward is a better approach.
Thankful for Minneapolis city council for their leadership on this. https://t.co/Vm9cbRfgzn
— Ilhan Omar (@IlhanMN) June 5, 2020
Also on Friday, she said that the police department is “beyond reform” in an apparent call for the dismemberment of MPD.
The Minneapolis Police Department has proven themselves beyond reform.
It’s time to disband them and reimagine public safety in Minneapolis.
Thank you to @MplsWard3 for your leadership on this! https://t.co/AQfHM5M6eR
— Ilhan Omar (@IlhanMN) June 5, 2020
Several members of the Council have also voiced similar rhetoric in recent days including Lisa Bender, the Council President and Jeremiah Ellison, Minnesota Attorney General Kieth Ellison’s son.
Yes. We are going to dismantle the Minneapolis Police Department and replace it with a transformative new model of public safety. https://t.co/FCfjoPy64k
— Lisa Bender (@lisabendermpls) June 4, 2020
We are going to dismantle the Minneapolis Police Department.
And when we’re done, we’re not simply gonna glue it back together.
We are going to dramatically rethink how we approach public safety and emergency response.
It’s really past due. https://t.co/7WIxUL6W79
— Jeremiah Ellison (@jeremiah4north) June 4, 2020
Kyle Hooten
Kyle Hooten is Managing Editor of Alpha News. His coverage of Minneapolis has been featured on television shows like Tucker Carlson Tonight and in print media outlets like the Wall Street Journal.
