The University of Minnesota has ended its current relationship with local police after the death of George Floyd.
Wednesday night in response to the murder of George Floyd, University President Joan Gabel announced the school’s distancing from local police. The letter demands justice and accountability, saying “This will not stand.” The announcement comes after a letter from the Student Body President demanded an evaluation of the University’s relationship with the Minneapolis Police Department (MPD).
“We have a responsibility to uphold our values and a duty to honor them. We will limit our collaboration with the MPD to joint patrols and investigations that directly enhance the safety of our community or that allow us to investigate and apprehend those who put our students, faculty, and staff at risk,” wrote Gabel.
There is no more discussion to be had, only action. There is no justification for the murder of George Floyd. Therefore we, without hesitation DEMAND that the UMPD ceases any partnerships with the MPD immediately. If you would like to sign on go to https://t.co/EcLWfVq6ps
— UMN Student Body President (@UMN_SBP) May 27, 2020
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“We have lost interest in discussion, community conversations, and “donut hours”. We no longer wish to have a meeting or come to an agreement, there is no middle ground. The police are murdering Black men with no meaningful repercussions,” wrote the Student Body President Jael Kerandi.George
The two effective changes announced in the Gabel’s letter are the University will no longer use MPD for additional security at large events such as sports games, and will not use their special units for things such as explosive detection for the same events.