Mourning the death of George Floyd

Along with so many of you in our Senate District, we mourn the senseless murder of George Floyd at the hands of officers from the Minneapolis Police Department. We condemn the department’s documented inaction regarding previous complaints issued against the officers and the ongoing disdain they display for the community they are sworn to protect.

We stand in support of Commissioner Goettel’s demand that Hennepin County Attorney Freeman arrest the offending officers immediately. Every day that those men remain free is an affront to justice. It reinforces the sentiment that George Floyd’s life did not matter. But George Floyd’s life did matter. It does matter. It must matter.

We appreciate the sentiments shared by Mayors Regan Gonzalez and Busse to listen and learn, and pledge work with them, our elected representatives, and other community leaders to affect real change. The DFL party position is clear - we must reject racism and its hold on the systems of power and punishment in this country.

Lona Dallessandro, Chair

Dani Indovino-Cawley, Diversity and Outreach Officer