Politics & Government
Movement To Dismantle Minneapolis Police Dealt Major Blow
The proposal to dismantle and replace the Minneapolis Police Department won't be on the November ballot, as many activists had hoped.
MINNEAPOLIS, MN — The Minneapolis Charter Commission Wednesday voted to stall a charter amendment that would dismantle and replace the city's police force. By a vote of 10-5, the group moved to take 90 more days to review it, meaning it won't be on the November ballot as many activists had hoped.
"We have an obligation to make sure that what is going on the ballot gives the voters an informed choice, that they can make a decision in a thoughtful way," Charter Commissioner Andrew Kozak said, according to the Star Tribune.
Minneapolis Council President Lisa Bender criticized the Charter Commission's vote immediately after it took place.
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The Charter Commission's vote is disappointing and creates barriers to change but it will not stop our work to re-imagine public safety in Mpls. Our work always was and remains multi-pronged, including a 911 workgroup, MPD staffing study, investment in violence prevention & more.
— Lisa Bender (@lisabendermpls) August 5, 2020
The charter amendment was unanimously passed by the City Council back in June. If the Charter Commission had approved the measure Wednesday, the City Council could have placed it on this November's ballot, giving residents the choice to approve or reject it.
Instead, the City Council and voters will have to wait at least another year before the amendment can appear on ballots.
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