Forwarded on behalf of City Council Member Jim Niland... I just became aware of Jon Kelland's posting regarding a phone call made to my office regarding the Critical Mass protest at Loring Park and wanted to respond. I first heard about the incident when a constituent (and friend of Jon's he referred to in his posting) called me. Apparently the constituent called my office concerned about police over-reaction to a Critical Mass protest at Loring Park (and from what she described it sounded like police over-reaction to me too.) As is routine when we receive a complaint about a City employee (whether it's Housing Inspections, Noise Control, etc.) we refer the complaint to the employee's supervisor. In this case the cops who were at the protest were under Downtown Precinct commander Sharon Lubinski (whom I've always found to be an excellent and reasonable police officer.) When we forwarded the complaint we also shared my concern that it sounded like police over-reaction. Then apparently a police officer who was at the protest found out about our contacting Inspector Lubinski (not from us!) and (extremely inappropriately in my mind) took it upon himself to call the constituent in what she described as a "threatening" manner. Ironically, I found about this when I talked with her at the City Council committee meeting on my proposed police conduct policy to make sure we are respecting First Amendment rights at demonstrations (kind of makes the point we need that policy but I won't go off on that tangent.) She was understanding when I explained what had happened as I understood it. Immediately after I talked with her my office called Inspector Lubinski to complain about that officer's inappropriate behavior and asked her to find a way to ensure that that doesn't happen again. I trust this helps explain what unfortunately happened. As hopefully people on this list know I have been outspoken that police have to respect people's right to dissent. And Jon I hope you know where I have been on this issue (and I know you've been supportive) and I would ask you to call me first personally if you hear anything like this again because I agree with you it is inappropriate and I would certain work with you to get to the bottom of it. Thanks, Minneapolis City Council Member Jim Niland -- forwarded by David Brauer, List manager
