'Bye Bye Betsy': Protesters Ask Mayor Hodges To Resign

MINNEAPOLIS, MN — Minneapolis Mayor Betsy Hodges' press conference announcing Assistant Chief Medaria Arradondo as the new chief of police was interrupted Friday by protesters calling for her resignation. Just before 9 p.m., a group of demonstrators filled the City Hall room where Hodges was in the middle of her announcement.

Police Chief Janeé Harteau announced her resignation at the request of Hodges just hours earlier, citing the fatal police shooting of 40-year-old Australian woman Justine Damond as a factor.

The protesters shouting down Hodges were from a larger crowd that met at Loring Park, about 200 people in total, before making their way downtown, the Star Tribune reported.

"We're asking for your prompt resignation," one protester said. "We don't want you as our mayor of Minneapolis anymore. Your leadership has been very ineffective."

Minutes later, Demonstrators began chanting, "Bye Bye Betsy."

Eventually, the protesters left. Hodges said she will not resign.

Chief Janeé Harteau Resigns

In her resignation statement, Harteau said that "last Saturday’s tragedy, as well as some other recent incidents," had her caused to reflect. "I’ve decided I am willing to step aside to let a fresh set of leadership eyes see what more can be done for the MPD to be the very best it can be. The city of Minneapolis deserves the very best."

Hodges, who sparred publicly with Harteau on several occasions, wrote Friday that "As far as we have come, I’ve lost confidence in the Chief’s ability to lead us further — and from the many conversations I’ve had with people around our city, especially this week, it is clear that she has lost the confidence of the people of Minneapolis as well."

"For us to continue to transform policing — and community trust in policing — we need new leadership at MPD," Hodges added.

Harteau, nominated by previous mayor R.T. Rybak, was sworn in as Minneapolis’ 52nd police chief in 2012. She was previously the assistant chief.

Harteau joined the Minneapolis police force as an officer in 1987. She worked on the street in north, south and downtown Minneapolis, and served in the narcotics, organized crime and license investigation units, among others.

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