Minneapolis

The Arise! Books and Resources Collective has just released a benefit publication called “Recipes for Radicals.” This cookbook was a collaborative effort involving people and organizations from around the Twin Cities and beyond.

http://www.workdayminnesota.org/index.php?news_6_4239

Deborah Rosenstein
11 November 2009

Please help get a Twin Cities artist and activist out of jail!

Our friend, Raymond Merchant, aka AC, father of two, Hip Hop artist, and
community organizer in Minneapolis was recently wrongly arrested in
relation to a robbery in South Minneapolis to which he was no party.
Missing for several days, friends became worried when Raymond failed to
arrive to a show he was scheduled to perform at. After contacting his
family, it was confirmed he had been abducted by police just blocks from
his home while out for a walk.

Besides the 2009 Mayoral race, anything else interesting happening? Depends on your enthusiasm about electoralism; three open seats at least means an open field in some places. The professional media hasn't really feigned much interest, except for MPR, the Daily Planet and the Minnesota Independent. It's almost like the political-media complex doesn't like to advertise the risky end of traditional elections in the city. At least, here's links to everyone!

Ward 1 (Open): Open for the first time in a dozen years, Kevin Reich is DFL endorsed. Longtime DFLer Susan Howitz Hanna is in, "Independent DFLer" Larry Ranallo just got the "Police Officer Fedration" [sic] endorsement. Mark Fox (Equity Advocacy Responsibility) is a local graphic/web designer (with a more than decent site); Tom Alessi (Ron Paul Conservative) is a manager at Hard Rock Café. (MnIndy article)

Previous: Election rundown: 2009 Mayoral race

As U.S. Administration discusses Afghanistan escalation:

Voting No on the Minneapolis Board of Estimate Referendum [Note this piece may be edited later --TCIMC editors]

An important referendum--Charter Amendment 168--will be on the Minneapolis ballot in the November 3rd election.  It proposes to amend the city charter by replacing the current members of the Board of Estimate and Taxation with city council members.  I’m urging citizens to vote “No” on this amendment.

It's that time again: Minneapolis has citywide elections (official site) every four years in the election "off-year." This year's election on November 3rd will have two new twists: the most dramatic change is the shift to Ranked Choice Voting or Instant Runoff Voting for city offices (promoted by FairVote MN); also, the Board of Estimates and Taxation may get dissolved by referendum, consolidating more power with the Mayor and City Council. [More: "The auditor would report to the audited"]

The official outreach website for the City's IRV is at VoteMinneapolis.org and they are tabling local events until Election Day. Find your precinct and sample ballot here. Multi-lingual election info is available en Español (Spanish), Hmoob (Hmong) and Soomaaliga (Somali) - call 311 or 612-673-3000 for language help. Public awareness of how it works, especially among disadvantaged communities, looks really bad right now.

What's on the ballot? Mayor, City Council wards, the 2 at-large members of the Board of Estimate and Taxation, and the Park and Recreation Board (3 At-Large & 6 District Commissioners). The vote is expected to take several weeks to completely count everything (one reason the city cites for not calling it "instant" runoff).

Will Ranked Choice Voting mix up Minneapolis' dull & entrenched political establishment? Probably, for one reason in particular: The word from inside the RT Rybak for "Mayor" campaign is that the highly paid consultants running everything are "lollygagging" around waiting for the 2010 governor's race to start, but they don't really care about the city races.

Below the fold, all the candidates and links for mayor... Going deeper: 2009 Minneapolis election rundown: City Council, our favorite shady local deals & more!

Counterdemonstraters rallied today at the Midtown YWCA on Lake Street after successfully routing neo-Nazis who appeared to protest a anti-racism workshop held by the Y. The peaceful group played music and listened to speakers throughout the day, after the Nazis fled the scene having tomatoes hurled at them as they went, according to one onlooker. (More photos below)

TCDP Coverage/video | More photos

Previously: Community Mobilizes in Opposition to First Neo-Nazi Rally in Minneapolis in Over a Decade | Uprooting White Supremacy Workshop | Callout | Minnesota Independent | MIRAC Statement

Rosemary Williams and four other Minnesota women have decided to resist the foreclosure and eviction monster that's destroying our communities.

People from the Twin Cities are helping these women defy eviction, the Hennepin County Sheriff, and the big banks that want to steal their homes. Produced by Twin Cities Indymedia and the Poor Peoples Economic Human Rights Campaign. Here's the 110-second trailer; the full 12 minute video is posted below the fold...
 

110-second trailer URL: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YGZCXaXSbbA
12-minute video URL: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zQeNyVjHuvQ

Noon Tuesday: Police in unmarked cars doing drive-bys and parking down the block from Rosemary's.

URGENT UPDATE: Help needed at Rosemary's at 3138 Clinton in Minneapolis.  GMAC offered Rosemary $5000 to leave her long-time home.  When she declined, GMAC said that they would file a trespassing complaint and send the police to evict her.   Police could arrive  at any time.  All kinds of support needed--media, solidarity, civil disobedience.

Cancelled: TAKE ACTION:  Tuesday morning at 9:30am meet at Rosemary's house--3138 Clinton-- then go together to the mayor's office at 10am to demand a just resolution to Rosemary's situation.

Related: MPR Update says police waiting for opinion of city attorney | Fighting foreclosures in North MPLS from TCDP 

Monday evening:  Ninety to a hundred people attended a candlelight vigil at Rosemary Williams's house. Religious folks and other community activists spoke.  "God opened the door," said one speaker, describing the occupation. 

Monday: 4th day of occupation; approx. 15 people stayed at the house last night; many more there this morning. | Article & Video from Fight Back News

Sunday Update: Press conference at Rosemary's house, 8am Monday.

The occupation at Rosemary Williams' home at 3138 Clinton in Minneapolis enters its second night tonight. On Friday night, about 20 people, including Rosemary Williams herself, spent the night at the home after a no trespassing order was given earlier in the day. At a 4pm press conference this rainy and humid Saturday, the usual crowd of activists from MN PPEHRC and the Coalition for a People's Bailout (twitter feed), bolstered by growing support and donations of food and supplies from neighbors, rallied to the defense of Williams' home. Some pushed for GMAC to finally negotiate; others concluded that the only option left is to defend the house with their bodies.

The question now is what the Minneapolis Police will do next. A police spokesman has said they'll respond if a trespassing complaint is received - but what that means is anyone's guess. For now, says Rosemary, "We can't give up, that's the bottom line. We have to band together to make this happen." People will continue to occupy the house around the clock.

Previously: Sheriffs Arrive, Leave