City, county, and state employees don't get to kill people without accountability.

The Minnesota state legislature is still meeting through May 28th, and policy decisions are part of that. Contact your Senator using these sample scripts from the Council for Minnesotans of African Heritage or this from ISAIAH:

"I am outraged by the death of Daunte Wright and so many others at the hands of police. It is long past time we need change to state laws governing our police. We need to limit unnecessary traffic stops, ban white supremacists from serving as police officers, allow for local civilian oversight, restrict no-knock warrants and require sign and release warrants.  There can be no justice without accountability. We urge you to act on these bills immediately, this session."

The omnibus bill aims to make our communities safer through police accountability and community resources.
Read the full bill here: SF 970. This bill includes several provisions already passed by the House, including:

• Limit Traffic Stops - to prevent a driver from being stopped for expired tabs, an air freshener hanging in the window, and other low level offenses.  This is a direct response to the reasons given for the traffic stop that led to the death of Daunte Wright. (HF 2529)
• Establish Civilian Police Oversight Councils - allowing local units of government to establish citizen oversight councils for law enforcement, ensuring that community members can both hold law enforcement accountable and have their voices heard in discussions of public safety. (HF 640)
• Improve Officer Accountability - building a more effective early warning intervention system to keep officers with a history of misconduct off the streets. (HF 1374)
• White Supremacy Ban - prohibiting  law enforcement from affiliating with white supremacist groups.  (HF 593)
• Mental health response - Directing 911 operators to refer calls to mental health crisis teams instead of armed officers, where appropriate and available. (HF 1686)
• Restrict No-Knock Warrants - Requiring a higher standard before no-knock warrants can be used (HF 1762)
• Body-Camera Video - prohibit the altering, erasing, or destroying recordings and withholding of footage involving the use of deadly force from the victim’s family. (HF 1103)

May 25 Commemorations in Minneapolis

On Tuesday, May 25th, the community gathers in person at George Floyd Square in Minneapolis (38th and Chicago) to commemorate the first anniversary of his death and all lives taken by police violence. The event centers the family and friends of George Perry Floyd Jr., families impacted by injustice or loss, and the people who've preserved the memorial for 12 months. Beginning at 1 pm there will be art, community, food, open mic, and a children's area. At 6 pm a concert honoring the families. At 8 pm a candlelight vigil. Updates are on Facebook 

Also on Tuesday evening, May 25th, 5-9:30pm at the Gandhi Mahal site on Lake Street, Native artists Oyate Hotanin are holding a circle of arts and healing. 

THANK YOU, WATER PROTECTORS:  Please consider a direct donation, in any amount, and send a note with it, to thank two water protectors imprisoned for nonviolent direct action at Standing Rock to stop the Dakota Access Pipeline. One has been recently released, the other has a few more months to go. We know they still need and deserve our thanks and our help. Let them know their service is appreciated and they are not forgotten.

THANKS AND FAREWELLS: We hear often in this season that "commencement" refers to a stage of ending as well as a new beginning. Many UU congregations are ending the year with Coming of Age ceremonies launching youth into young adulthood. This year, we also acknowledge the pangs of loss, and gifts of memories and gratitude, as several beloved ministers step down from their congregational roles. MUUSJA's Board and staff are deeply thankful for the leadership, wisdom, courage, and kindness of clergy who have strengthened social justice and shaped the story of Unitarian Universalists in Minnesota: Revs. Rob and Janne Eller-Isaacs of Unity Church Unitarian in Saint Paul; Rev. Victoria Safford of White Bear UU Church in Mahtomedi, MN; and Rev. Justin Schroeder of First Universalist Church in Minneapolis. Well wishes also to Rev. Karen Van Fossan as she moves from the UU Fellowship of Fargo-Moorhead to a new endeavor, and Rev. Andrea Johnson as she moves from Minnesota Valley UU Fellowship in Bloomington, to dive deeper into seminary studies. 

MUUSJA is grateful to be part of this amazing UU community. The planned collaborations among many congregations for online summer services this year will be wonderful! 

Springing forward -- Towards justice, with joy!

Karen Wills, Executive Director
director@muusja.org 

P.S. Deep thanks, once again, to all who contributed financially and/or by volunteering to help, or sharing on social media, for our Spring Forward fundraising campaign. We raised over one thousand dollars with thanks to 20 new donors in addition to our beloved longer-term sustainers. Your contributions keep Nico and me hosting racial justice trainings for police/ICE accountability, Katie organizing folks to Stop Line 3, and Allison leading the fight against voter suppression and getting us ready to celebrate Pride at Twin Cities, Fargo, Duluth, and Rochester. Thank you, social justice leaders and volunteers, for sustaining the MUUSJA community, of which we all are part.