NAACP Minneapolis

Media Contact: President Jason Sole, 651-983-0982

While many Vikings fans are still recovering from the loss to the Eagles, this weekend Minneapolis is host to the biggest sporting event of the year. But the focus on football doesn’t mean we have amnesia. It was the high-profile killings of Jamar Clark, Philando Castile, and too many others, here in Minnesota and across the country, that helped spark Colin Kaepernick’s protest highlighting police brutality against people of color. A recent study ranking states on their degree of racial inequality found Minnesota to be the second-worst place for black Americans to live. 

The excitement of Super Bowl LII can't hide these problems, and holding the big game here isn't worth the cost - in dollars or human suffering. 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contact: President Jason Sole, [email protected], 651-983-0982

Minneapolis NAACP unequivocally condemns acquittal of Officer Yanez in the killing of Philando Castile

The Minneapolis NAACP unequivocally and in the strongest possible terms condemns the acquittal of Officer Jeronimo Yanez on all charges related to his killing Philando Castile during a traffic stop.

MEDIA ALERT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                                        

Media Contact: Rae Kirby, [email protected]

Criminal Justice Reform Committee to host a Misdemeanor Warrant Forgiveness Day, Saturday, May 20

Minneapolis, MN — In collaboration with the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) Minnesota, Hennepin County District Courts, Hennepin County Public Defenders, Minneapolis City Attonerys and United Way, the Criminal Justice Reform Committee of the Minneapolis Branch of NAACP will host a day where people with active misdemeanor (petty and gross) warrants in Hennepin County will have a free opportunity to resolve the warrant and the underlying offense without getting arrested.

When: Saturday, May 20, 10 am to 4 pm

Where: Sabathani Community Center, 310 E. 38^th Street, Minneapolis, Minn.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
From NAACP Minneapolis
Media Contact: President Jason Sole [email protected] 651-983-0982                                                    

        NAACP Minneapolis condemns deportations of Cambodian refugees

The NAACP Minneapolis unequivocally condemns the detention and deportation of the Minnesota Eight (MN 8). In August, the U.S. Immigration, Customs and Enforcement (ICE) detained eight men who have lived nearly their whole lives in Minnesota. The MN 8 are Cambodian citizens that arrived here legally as child refugees: grew up here, have relatives here, raised families here, and are part of the community here. Nonetheless, last week four of the MN 8 were put on a chartered plane to Cambodia, leaving behind families and loved ones struggling to cope.

For Immediate Release
From NAACP Minneapolis
Media Contact: Leslie Redmond, NAACP Minneapolis Second Vice President, 202-840-1410

ACTION UPDATE

Department of Justice report released March 20 highlights community unity and city negligence for Jamar Clark


For 18 days in November and December of 2017, there were many youth and elders coming together to condemn the killing of unarmed Jamar Clark by Minnesota Police Department (MPD) Officers Riggenberg and Schwarze. Community members created an inclusive, safe space for them to gather and deal with the profound grief, anger, sadness, and desperation that came in the wake of yet another Black life needlessly taken by the very people who were sworn to serve and protect them. By holding this space, “protesters stopped the city of Minneapolis from burning down,” said Cathy Jones, Vice President of the NAACP Minneapolis.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

From NAACP Minneapolis

ACTION ALERT

 Attend Governor Dayton's Council on Police and Community Relations Meeting on Monday, March 13

In the wake of the police killings of Jamar Clark and Philando Castile, the next meeting of Governor Mark Dayton’s Council on Police and Community Relations Committee is slated to convene Monday, March 13 at 3:00 pm in the Governor’s conference room in the Capitol building. Draft recommendations from the council’s work will be presented and discussed. Community members are invited and encouraged to attend.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
From NAACP MPLS
Media contact: Leslie Redmond, Minneapolis NAACP Second Vice President, 202-840-1410

Minneapolis NAACP Condemns HF 238 “Stand Your Ground” Bill

The Minneapolis NAACP unequivocally opposes and condemns HF 238, authored by Rep. Jim Nash, R-Waconia, and its companion Senate bill SF 292 (Sen. Carrie Ruud, R-Breezy Point) These bills would eliminate the duty under Minnesota law to retreat where possible before resorting to deadly force, amounting in practice to "kill-at-will."

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
From NAACP Minneapolis
Media Contact: President, Jason Sole
651-983-0982

Feb. 24, 2017

Call to Action: Rally Today Government Center 12:30 to Demand 
Mike Freeman’s Office to Drop Charges and Release KB Brown Immediately

Where: Government Center Lobby
When: Friday, Feb. 24, 12:30 pm

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

From NAACP Minneapolis, Child Protection Committee

Media Contact: Rae Kirby, [email protected], 773 319 8786

MEDIA ALERT

Child Protection Committee rallies at State Capitol, Thursday, Feb. 16

Who: NAACP Minneapolis, Child Protection Committee. Committee chairs are available for questions.

What: The Child Protection Committee will rally at the State Capitol to demand reform of the criminalization of black children. With this rally, the committee wants to bring awareness to the issues black children face, make legislators aware that the committee is drafting bills specifically for black children, and to have the opportunity to work with the Department of Human Services and Minnesota State on reform on behalf of black children.

When: Thursday, Feb. 16 from 1 to 5 pm

Where: Rotunda in the Minnesota State Capitol, 75 Rev Dr Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard., St Paul, MN 55155

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For Immediate Release

From NAACP Minneapolis

Media contact: Rae Kirby, [email protected]

NAACP Minneapolis Condemns Coon Rapids Police for attack on Hmong elderly woman

The Minneapolis NAACP unequivocally condemns Coon Rapids Police Department for the incident on Feb. 2, during which a police dog attacked Hmong elder, Choua Xiong in her own back yard and strenuously objects to Chief Brad Wise’s stated refusal to investigate the officers’ actions. We stand in solidarity with the coalition of Hmong 18 Clan Council, Choua Xiong’s Family, Hmong Americans for Justice, Asian American Organizing Project, and RadAzns.

A press conference will be held by the Hmong 18 Clan Council and leaders.

Coon Rapids City Hall

Friday, Feb. 10, 2017

1 pm cst