Best of Neighborhood News 2/15: Minneapolis educators rally for fully-funded schools

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More than 300 Minneapolis educators and community members protested at the Davis Center Tuesday night to advocate for better school funding in teachers’ contract negotiations. As reported by North News, the Minneapolis Federation of Teachers (MFT) is asking for smaller class sizes, more school support personnel and restorative practices, among other demands. “According to [Minneapolis Public Schools], MFT’s proposals would cost the district $160 million. According to Sullivan, even with district cuts adding up to $27 million, there would still be a $6 million hole to fill – the district will be asking Minneapolis taxpayers and the state legislature for additional funding support over the next year.”
To learn more about why Minneapolis Public School educators are rallying for fully-funded schools, check out the story at North News.  

New book, future restaurant from Twin Cities Oglala Lakota Chef

The founder of The Sioux Chef, Sean Sherman, published a cookbook-memoir-manifesto, “The Sioux Chef’s Indigenous Kitchen.” According to the Southwest Journal, Sherman wants to decolonize and evolve indigenous foods in order to re-establish a connection with his culture and ancestors. Continue Reading

Best of Neighborhood News 2/8: Candidate hopes to change historically white Hennepin County board

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LaDonna Redmond, a Twin Cities food justice advocate, is vying to be the first person of color to serve on Hennepin County’s commission. According to the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder, Redmond, running for District Three, wants to empower historically disenfranchised people. “The County is really an unknown governmental layer. It is a very powerful layer. [It] distributes $2 [billion] a year in funding across the system. Continue Reading

Best of Neighborhood News 1/29: Minneapolis City Council discusses combating sex trafficking during Super Bowl LII

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A Minneapolis City Council committee discussed plans with law enforcement and a local nonprofit to combat heightened sex trafficking during the Super Bowl LII on Jan. 18.  As reported by the Minnesota Daily, the Minneapolis Police Department is using undercover operations and building relationships with the hospitality industry to combat the issue. In addition, 12 community organizations formed an Anti-Trafficking Response Committee. “We know sex trafficking occurs. Continue Reading

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Could a police-free city be a viable option in Minneapolis?

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Police abolition is not a topic that fits the traditional confines of Midwestern small talk. So, when I asked about two dozen people at bus stops, in coffee shops, at the library and some acquaintances if they would share their feelings about the idea of a police-free Minneapolis, it’s not too surprising that few people were willing to talk to me at all and none of those who would would go on the record. Some said they didn’t know enough about the topic. Most of the people I approached listened politely and then quickly declined. A few others’ eyes glazed over after hearing the word “reporter.”

One man answered my questions openly. Continue Reading

No cops, no racists, no phobias: QTPOCI claim their own Twin Cities nightlife scene

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After fights broke out in Chicago during the 2012 Pride Festival, Phillipe Cunningham approached a police officer to ask about a safe route to walk home. At the time, Cunningham had recently transitioned and noticed during this interaction a different type of aggression and animosity directed at him. “The more Black and masculine I began to look at first glance, that’s when the aggression had an uptick,” Cunningham said. “That was my first experience interacting with cops as a Black man. It shook me.”

Cunningham, a queer, transgender Black man running for Minneapolis City Council in Ward Four, said many queer and trans people of color and Indigenous folks (QTPOCI) have stories like this – times when they were trying to have fun, ask for directions or simply occupy public space – and a police officer responded with hostility. Continue Reading