As we remember, we're united + ready.

Dear John,

This week, we marked a year of grief and rage for George Floyd after his murder at the hands of the Minneapolis Police Department. I’ve been reflecting on everything we’ve learned and experienced since May 25, 2020. I’m ready to let our wisdom and care for each other guide us forward into a future where we can all be safe and thrive.  

We all have stories about the days that followed George Floyd’s murder. I remember the terror of police violence against peaceful protesters, and the overwhelming community care that we met it with. I remember that my loved ones were in and out, from rallies to street clean ups to food pantries, but we always checked in with each other. We didn’t ask “How are you?” because no one knew how to answer that question. So, we asked, “Have you eaten?” and we made sure everyone was fed. 

What do you remember? Share your story about community safety in Minneapolis. We need to keep sharing our stories, because if we don’t, other people will tell them for us – and there are people who are more committed to maintaining power and the systems that fail us than they are to telling the truth. 

Two truths that I’m sure of are: 

1. We’ve had the wisdom and care to meet every moment of crisis thrown at us in the past year. 

2. We still need and deserve so much more.  

Our work continues at George Floyd Square, with the leaders we’ll elect to co-govern with us this fall, and with the Yes 4 Minneapolis campaign – and everyone is invited into this movement. 

For many, that invitation begins with our weekly Wednesday night phone banks. These phone banks are an opportunity to connect with Minneapolis neighbors and build the power we need to govern – no matter who holds elected office.  

As my coworker, Yolanda, reminded us last month, we’re working to create community safety that is “all-inclusive, where everyone has healthy food to eat, a warm bed, and a roof over their head; and where everyone feels safe in our schools, our homes, our communities, and our lives.” We all deserve to be safe and thrive in our communities, and Minneapolis is united and ready to act boldly to defend and celebrate Black, Brown, and Indigenous lives.  

No reform or conviction can bring the justice that George Floyd was denied. Instead, we need to learn from the pain and trauma of the past year – and the past 150 years – and act together to create the community safety that we all need and deserve.  

In solidarity, 

Jessie (she/her) 
Communications Manager