It is so sad to see a community suffer so much!!!! _____________________________________________________________ Speakers including Mayor R.T. Rybak, the Rev. Efrem Smith and local residents called on the community and elected officials to address the problem of youth delinquency, drugs and the lack of job opportunities in north Minneapolis.
City Council Member Natalie Johnson Lee, among others, spoke directly to the black community and implored its members to live a life of self-determination. "When you leave, do something," said Johnson Lee. "Just don't come back to another vigil. "You know what I am? I am a pissed-off black mother. Resources need to come here, you have every right to demand jobs and resources. Mom, if you don't know where your kids are, find out. Dad, if you're not taking care of your kids, take care of them." Community members need to make their presence known to such entities as the City Council, the Park and Recreation Board, and the state House, she said. Several speakers demanded that members of the community stop overlooking the drugs, gang activity and disillusionment that may be rife in their own homes. "I was born and raised on the North Side, and I support a stop to violence," Carol Reed said as she cradled her dog, Iverson. "I'm just not scared." http://www.startribune.com/stories/462/5276824.html Shawn Lewis, former Field Neighborhood resident -- ___________________________________________________________ Sign-up for Ads Free at Mail.com http://promo.mail.com/adsfreejump.htm REMINDERS: 1. Be civil! Please read the NEW RULES at http://www.e-democracy.org/rules. If you think a member is in violation, contact the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract ________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[email protected] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
