From: Michelle Gross <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Subject: Chief Olson's Got to Go!
As everyone knows, police brutality has been a serious and ongoing problem
in the Twin Cities area. However, incidents of brutality, use of
excessive force and racial profiling have skyrocketed under Police Chief
Robert Olson. Either through bad leadership or open encouragement, cops
are out of control here and it is time for Olson to go!
Olson is due for reappointment for another three-year term on December
29th. We think we need to come together as a community to see that he is
NOT reappointed. No, this won't end police brutality in our fair city,
but it will send a powerful message to the cops that we will hold them and
their leadership accountable for the things they do.
There are lots of reasons for Olson not to be reappointed but here's some
that our organization has noted:
� Five people killed.
In the past twelve months, five citizens have been shot dead by the
Minneapolis police. The victims included Barbara Schneider, a forty-nine
year old Jewish historian, and Alfred "Abuka" Sanders, a young father of
four, known for his musical talent, good nature, and contributions to the
community.
� Racial profiling and harassment.
There has been rampant racial profiling and harassment in Minneapolis
under the CODEFOR program. Police have been quoted by media as referring
to unjustified arrests and holding innocent people in jail over a weekend
as "an inconvenience." Even Ken White, executive director of the
Minneapolis civil rights department, was stopped and harassed by six white
police officers for the "crime" of taking a grandchild to a park in the
Phillips neighborhood.
�Overreaction to political protests.
At this summer's ISAG conference, police under Olson's direction made an
armed camp of downtown. Pepper spray, rubber bullets and clubs were used
on nonviolent protesters and legal observers. There was widespread
infiltration of legal organizations by undercover police, a civil rights
violation. More than seventy people were arrested. Most of the charges
were later dropped or dismissed.
� Fiscal Irresponsibility.
Under Olson's management, the police department's budget rose from 23% to
40% of the total Minneapolis budget. Much of this increase is due to
reliance on gadgets, expensive special units and militarization of the
police, rather than good police training. The police response to
approximately two hundred nonviolent protesters at the ISAG conference
cost the city $1.15 million.
HAT YOU CAN DO
Contact the mayor and the city council:
Mayor Sharon Sayles Belton (612) 673-2100
Ward 1 Paul Ostrow (612) 673-2201
Ward 2 Joan Campbell (612) 673-2202
Ward 3 Joe Biernat (612) 673-2203
Ward 4 Barbara Johnson (612) 673-2204
Ward 5 Jackie Cherryhomes (612) 673-2205
Ward 6 Jim Niland (612) 673-2206
Ward 7 Lisa Goodman (612) 673-2207
Ward 8 Brian Herron (612) 673-2208
Ward 9 Kathy Thurber (612) 673-2209
Ward 10 Lisa McDonald (612) 673-2210
Ward 11 S. Dor� Mead (612) 673-2211
Ward 12 Sandy Colvin Roy (612) 673-2212
Ward 13 Barret Lane (612) 673-2213
� Attend these important meetings where Olson's reappointment will be
considered:
December 20, 1:00 p.m.
Public Safety and Regulatory Services Committee, Room 319, City Hall.
Meet in the hall outside the meeting space at 12:30 p.m. to sign up to
speak and get a sign.
December 29, 9:30 a.m.
Full City Council meeting, Room 319, City Hall. Meet in the hall outside
the meeting space at 9:00 a.m. to get a sign.
Contact Communities United Against Police Brutality (CUAPB):
We meet at Arise Books 2441 Lyndale Ave S, every Wednesday at 8:00 p.m.
For more information, call (651) 649-4579
PLEASE POST THIS TO OTHER LISTS--SPREAD THE WORD FAR AND WIDE!
MINNEAPOLIS COPS OUT OF CONTROL! CHIEF OLSON'S GOT TO GO!
----
fwd by David Shove
Roseville
