Members of Senate POCI Caucus: Minneapolis Consent Decree on Policing is a Step toward Justice

ST. PAUL, Minn. — On Friday, the City of Minneapolis unanimously approved a court enforceable agreement with the Minnesota Department of Human Rights that requires the City of Minneapolis and Minneapolis Police Department to make transformational changes to curb race-based policing and recognize the civil rights and humanity of community members. 

The consent decree comes nearly three years after the murder of George Floyd at the hands of a Minneapolis police officer, and one year after the MDHR released a report detailing MPD’s pattern of racial discrimination. It includes provisions that prohibit certain uses of force and certain pedestrian and vehicle stops; develops community feedback structures; requires quality, priority training; and creates an independent accountability structure, with regular public reports, to track adherence to the consent decree.

In response to the release of the consent decree, members of the Senate People of Color and Indigenous (POCI) Caucus released the following statement:

“The consent decree between the City of Minneapolis and the Minnesota Department of Human Rights is a powerful tool to direct the Minneapolis Police Department toward accountability and respect for the rights and dignity of all peoples, particularly people of color and Indigenous people. The agreement was shaped by legal experts, local leaders, and the wisdom and insight of the communities most affected by the Minneapolis Police Department’s patterns of abuse. It’s time we, as Minnesotans, move forward with implementing best practices to ensure race-based policing is completely excluded from our public safety initiatives. This decree is a step toward a future wherein each person in our community can go about their life without the fear or threat of violence or death.”

The members of the Senate POCI Caucus are Senator Mary Kunesh (Chair), Senator Bobby Joe Champion, Senator Omar Fateh, Senator Foung Hawj, Senator Alice Mann, Senator Erin Maye Quade, Senator Zaynab Mohamed, Senator Clare Oumou Verbeten, Senator Susan Pha, and Senator Tou Xiong.

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Mary K. Kunesh represents Senate District 39, which covers the communities of St. Anthony Village, New Brighton, Hilltop, Columbia Heights, Fridley, and a portion of Spring Lake Park.

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Senator Bobby Joe Champion
Senate President Senate District 59
Bobby Joe Champion represents District 59, which includes portions of downtown and north Minneapolis in Hennepin County. He is also an attorney.

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Senate President Senate District 62
Omar Fateh represents Senate District 62, which covers the community of South Minneapolis.

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Senator Foung Hawj
Senate President Senate District 67
Foung Hawj represents District 67, which includes the east side of Saint Paul in Ramsey County in the central Twin Cities metropolitan area.

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Senate President Senate District 50
Senator Alice Man represents Senate District 50 which includes Bloomington and Edina. She is vice chair of the Health and Human Services Committee, and serves on the Education Policy Committee and the Human Services Committee.

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Senate President Senate District 56
Senator Erin Maye Quade represents Senate District 56 which includes Apple Valley, Eagan, and Rosemount. She is vice chair of the Education Policy Committee, and serves on the Education Finance Committee, Human Services Committee, and the State and Local Government and Veterans Committee.
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Senate President Senate District 63
Senator Zaynab Mohamed represents Senate District 63 which includes Minneapolis. She is vice chair of the Jobs and Economic Development Committee, and serves on the Capital Investment Committee, Finance Committee, and the Housing and Homelessness Prevention Committee.
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Senate President Senate District 66
Senator Clare Oumou Verbeten represents Senate District 66 which includes Falcon Height, Lauderdale, Roseville, and St. Paul. She is vice chair of the Judiciary and Public Safety Committee, and serves on the Education Finance Committee, Higher Education Committee, and the Labor Committee.

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Senate President Senate District 38
Senator Susan Pha represents Senate District 38 which includes Brooklyn Center, Brooklyn Park, and Osseo. She is vice chair of the Capital Investment Committee and also serves on the Housing and Homelessness Prevention Committee.

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Senator Tou Xiong
Senate President Senate District 44
Senator Tou Xiong represents Senate District 44 which includes Little Canada, Maplewood, North Saint Paul, and Oakdale. He is vice chair of the Energy, Utilities, Environment, and Climate Committee and serves on the Capital Investment Committee and the Commerce and Consumer Protection Committee.
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