Senate POCI Caucus Statement on Anniversary of Daunte Wright’s Death

SAINT PAUL, Minn. – Today, April 11 marks the two-year anniversary of the murder of Daunte Wright by Brooklyn Center police. In response to the anniversary, the Senate People of Color and Indigenous (POCI) Caucus issued the following statement:

“The murder of Daunte Wright was a tragic loss for his family and for Brooklyn Center, and yet another disturbing example of the threat police violence poses to the BIPOC community. The members of the Senate POCI Caucus are committed to public safety, and recognize that includes measures to keep our citizens safe from violence at the hands of law enforcement. Since Daunte Wright’s death in 2021, police have killed another 19 Minnesotans, eight of them BIPOC residents. We will continue to demand a higher standard of service from our police forces and accountability when they perpetrate acts of violence. We cannot achieve true racial equity until no Minnesotan fears for their life during a routine traffic stop. We must bring an end to the extrajudicial execution of Minnesotans. Our laws and practices should honor their civil and human rights.”

“In the days after the murder of Daunte Wright, my POCI legislative colleagues and I stood side-by-side with protesters calling for justice,” said Senator Omar Fateh (DFL-Minneapolis). “That meant a criminal prosecution of the officer who killed him. More broadly, it means taking meaningful steps to see that what happened to George Floyd, Daunte Wright, Philando Castile and so many other unarmed BIPOC victims does not continue. A peaceful, community-centered approach to public safety is a matter of racial justice.” 

“Today we grieve Daunte Wright, a member of our community whose life was unjustly cut short by the police two years ago,” said Senator Susan Pha (DFL-Brooklyn Park). “Accountability and change must be a part of the community healing process. We carry Daunte’s memory with us every day as we work to stop the brutality our communities of color experience at the hands of police. As the state senator representing Brooklyn Center, I am determined to build a system of public safety that is transparent, accountable, and just for all people.”

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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Senator Mary Kunesh

Senate District 39

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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Senator Omar Fateh

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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Senator Alice Mann

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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Senator Erin Maye Quade

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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Senator Zaynab Mohamed

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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Senator Clare Oumou Verbeten

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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Senator Susan Pha

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.

Learn more about Sen. Pha.

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.