The Council for Minnesotans of African Heritage is charged with advising the Governor and the Legislature on issues confronting members of the African Heritage Community. In accordance with Statute 15.0145 the Council formally offers the attached statement requesting the Governor veto HF0390, SF0676 or any bill that similarly increases penalties for protest on highways, at the airport or for disrupting traffic.
On 4/16/2018 President Trump “issued a memorandum directing Secretary Nielsen to begin a 12-month DED wind-down period and to provide for continued work authorization throughout the wind-down period. This 12-month transitional period and termination of DED allows affected individuals to arrange for their departure from the United States, or seek an alternative immigration status in the United States, if eligible, before DED ends on March 31, 2019.
The Council for Minnesotans of African Heritage offers the following statement in opposition to the proposed increase to the Criminal History Score (CHS) for repeat Severe Violent Offenders (SVO). The proposed changes would disproportionately impact the African Heritage community and increase the already over represented population of our constituents
Saint Paul MN – On 3/22/2018 H.F. No. 951, a critical bill to restore the civil right of voting to people on felony probation, was heard by the Minnesota House Committee on Public Safety and Security Policy and Finance. The bill was ultimately tabled for this session, but can be reintroduced as an amendment attached to other bills that make it further along in the legislative process.
On Thursday, July 12th, the Council for Minnesotans of African Heritage (the Council) held a meeting at Webber Park in North Minneapolis. The goal was to hear a report from the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) and discuss the impact of police violence in the African Heritage community. The meeting was planned with a coalition of local Black led organizations who respond to violent incidents in the community. As reported in the media, the Council ended the meeting after some community members objected to the presence of the BCA
Currently African American children are over 3 times more likely than their white counterparts to be reported to child protection services. In the face of the same allegations and behavior; African Americans and children of 2 or more races are removed from their home at a rate 3.1 and 4.8 times higher than their white counterparts.
On 3/26/2018 a hearing was held in front of the MN House’s State Government Finance Committee. The Bill featured bi-partisan support, having been sponsored by Rep. Rena Moran and brought forward in another committee by Rep. Cindy Pugh. The Bill introduced to the committee, H.F. 3664, takes the 2005 Anderson vs. MN Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists a step further by putting into statute (law) language that clearly exempts hair braiders from cosmetology registration.
Saint Paul MN – On 3/21 a bill for an act for workforce development; appropriating money for Somali young adult and youth job training and workforce development was read in the MN House. The bill was ultimately referred to the Committee on State Government Finance. The Council for Minnesotan’s of African Heritage would like to thank Chief Author, Representative Mahoney for introducing he bill. We’d also like to thank Rep. Lien, Knoblach, Omar, Moran, Pinto, Liebling, Freiberg, Anselmo, Lee, Daynie, Erin Maye Quade and Hamilton for their support of such a critical and bi-partisan bill.
On Thursday, July 12th, the Council for Minnesotans of African Heritage (the Council) held a meeting at Webber Park in North Minneapolis. The goal was to hear a report from the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) and discuss the impact of police violence in the African Heritage community. The meeting was planned with a coalition of local Black led organizations who respond to violent incidents in the community. As reported in the media, the Council ended the meeting after some community members objected to the presence of the BCA.
After President Donald Trump was quoted yesterday referring to certain countries in Africa and the Caribbean as “shithole countries”, the Council for Minnesotans of African Heritage released the following response.
Saint Paul MN - The Council for Minnesotans of African Heritage offers its condolences to the family of Thurman Blevins. After an altercation with Minneapolis Police Officers responding to reports of shots fired, Blevins life was taken; sparking concerns of police misconduct from the community. As the investigation evolves, the Council aims to work hand in hand with the community and the Governor's office to ensure a transparent and fair investigative process.
