CUAPB - CAMPAIGN ANNOUNCEMENT
Concerned About Minneapolis Police Brutality? Help Us!
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As many people in the community are aware, Minneapolis police officers harass,
beat, and even kill community members on a regular basis with impunity. The
Star Tribune recently reported that out of 437 complaints against police
officers in a year-long period, not one of the officers implicated had been
punished. It is egregious enough that Minneapolitans, especially people of
color, the homeless, and the poor, are being routinely harassed and beaten;
but to make matters worse, when an officer is successfully sued for police
brutality, it’s the taxpayers that pay for it. That’s right. When an officer
is sued – sometimes in excess of $1 million in one case – the city
automatically pays for these lawsuits out of the city’s general fund. This has
amounted to $20 million of wasted taxpayer money in the past 7 years, in
Minneapolis alone.
In response to these myriad injustices, members of the Minneapolis group
Communities United Against Police Brutality (CUAPB) banded together to form
the Committee for Professional Policing (CfPP). CfPP’s first big undertaking
is a charter amendment campaign to require police officers in Minneapolis to
carry professional liability (malpractice) insurance. As previously mentioned,
Minneapolis is currently self-indemnified, meaning that when an officer is
successfully sued for brutality, the city automatically pays for the lawsuit
and all court fees from the general fund.
By requiring officers to carry professional liability insurance, the city will
benefit from a risk management mechanism against brutality. In other words, an
officer will face increased premiums on his/her insurance after each lawsuit.
This will act as a deterrent to brutality, since the police will finally be
held directly responsible. Moreover, after several repeat offenses, an officer
will find him/herself uninsurable and no longer able to serve in Minneapolis.
Under this model, the survivors and family members of victims of police
brutality will still receive the compensation they deserve, while officers are
being directly punished.
READ MORE AND TAKE ACTION:
https://www.paperrevolution.org/concerned-about-minneapolis-police-brutality-help-us/
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CUAPB - IN OUR THOUGHTS
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It is with very deep sadness that we announce the sudden passing of longtime
friend and Communities United Against Police Brutality, Vice-President Darryl
Robinson. His passing leaves a giant hole in our community and we are truly
devastated. Darryl has been solely responsible for the safety of many people
along Lake Street and at the homeless shelters downtown through daily
copwatch. He has taught literally thousands of people how to advocate safely
and effectively for themselves through know your rights training. Darryl
represented CUAPB at conferences and events around the country and will be
remembered by legions of friends and colleagues. He spent his last days being
what he called himself-a freedom fighter: speaking out at the Crystal city
council meeting, talking with UofM students with Students United Against
Police Brutality and copwatching on Lake Street the night he died.
Please keep an eye on the CUAPB page for their future announcement of a
memorial event:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Communities-United-Against-Police-Brutality-CUAPB/330720217220
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MARCH AGAINST MONSANTO - MAY 24TH
On May 24th, 2014, activists around the world will unite to March Against
Monsanto.
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Why do we march?
*Research studies have shown that Monsanto’s genetically-modified foods can
lead to serious health conditions such as the development of cancer tumors,
infertility and birth defects.
*In the United States, the FDA, the agency tasked with ensuring food safety
for the population, is steered by ex-Monsanto executives, and we feel that’s a
questionable conflict of interests and explains the lack of government-lead
research on the long-term effects of GMO products.
*Recently, the U.S. Congress and president collectively passed the nicknamed
“Monsanto Protection Act” that, among other things, bans courts from halting
the sale of Monsanto’s genetically-modified seeds.
*For too long, Monsanto has been the benefactor of corporate subsidies and
political favoritism. Organic and small farmers suffer losses while Monsanto
continues to forge its monopoly over the world’s food supply, including
exclusive patenting rights over seeds and genetic makeup.
*Monsanto’s GMO seeds are harmful to the environment; for example, scientists
have indicated they have caused colony collapse among the world’s bee
population.
We will not stand for cronyism. We will not stand for poison. That’s why we
March Against Monsanto.
SEE THE SOLUTIONS WE ARE ADVOCATING FOR AND MORE:
https://www.paperrevolution.org
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POLYMET - BAD FOR MINNESOTA
TAKE ACTION NOW - Comment period closes on March 13th, 2014
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Comments will become part of the official record and as such, may be made
available for public examination. Comments and submittals will not be edited
to remove any identifying or contact information; therefore, the Co-lead
Agencies suggest that commenters not submit information that may cause the
commenter concern if publicly disclosed.
500 years of polluted water in exchange for 20 years of mining?
That’s what PolyMet is proposing, and it’s now up to us to tell the Department
of Natural Resources if we think this is a bad deal for Minnesota.
Add your voice to this crucial debate about Minnesota’s future. Send your
message to the DNR below.
24,000 people signed the Mining Truth petition asking Governor Dayton to use
four common sense questions to evaluate sulfide mining proposals. PolyMet and
the sulfide mining industry said that these were fair questions, and they
could meet every one.
Will Minnesota’s water stay safe and clean?
No - PolyMet would create polluted water requiring expensive treatment for 500
years after they stop mining, and millions of gallons of untreated, polluted
water would seep from the site every year into groundwater and nearby rivers.
Are there strong safeguards in place for when things go wrong?
No - PolyMet’s plan fails to plan for contingencies like pipeline breakages
and extreme weather events.
Will the company leave the site clean and maintenance free?
No - PolyMet would leave behind a polluted site requiring hundreds of years of
monitoring, treatment of polluted water, and site maintenance.
Will Minnesota taxpayers be protected?
No - PolyMet’s mine plan doesn’t provide details about how to calculate an
adequate damage deposit to protect taxpayers from the cost of 500 years of
cleanup and maintenance.
PolyMet’s mine plan fails to answer these reasonable questions and puts
Minnesota’s waters and Minnesota taxpayers at risk. If you think that make
PolyMet’s mine plan a bad deal, tell the DNR.
SUBMIT YOUR COMMENT NOW VIA MINING TRUTH:
https://secure2.convio.net/mnlcv/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=351
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TELL GOVERNOR MARK DAYTON TO STAND ON THE SIDE OF PHYSICIANS
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The medical marijuana bill (HF1818) was pulled from the legislative calendar
on the morning of March 11th, 2014 due to Governor Mark Dayton’s stance on the
decriminalization of medicinal marijuana.
Contact him and share this message with everyone you know. Tell Governor
Dayton to stand by medicine and science -not on the side of the industrial
prison complex.
“*They continue to block generic forms of medicine that could save people’s
lives or provide relief in order to protect investments that have already
turned a substantial profit.”
USE THIS FORM:
https://secure2.convio.net/mpp/site/Advocacy?pagename=homepage&page=UserAction&id=1862
-or
Office of the Governor
130 State Capitol
75 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
St. Paul, MN 55155
Telephone: 651-201-3400
Toll Free: 800-657-3717
Minnesota Relay: 800-627-3529
Fax: 651-797-1850
email: [email protected]
https://mn.gov/governor/contact-us/
MORE INFORMATION AT:
https://www.occupymn.org/legalizemn/
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OCCUPY MINNEAPOLIS MEETINGS CONTINUE
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Join Occupy Minneapolis activists and advocates for an evening potluck meeting
to discuss important issues and upcoming actions. Enjoy making new
acquaintances within the activist community and become a part of the movement!
You can find us most Wednesday evenings at 6:00pm located at:
4200 Cedar Ave S
Minneapolis, MN
Please check our Facebook page prior to heading out for the meeting to confirm
that the meeting will still be held. We occasionally cancel events to attend
other actions in solidarity, along with cancellations caused by bad weather.
FIND US ON FACEBOOK:
https://www.facebook.com/OccupyMN
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OCCUPY DULUTH GENERAL ASSEMBLIES CONTINUE
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Join Occupy Duluth for coffee and civil political discussion. We meet most
Tuesdays and Saturdays at 6:00 pm at the Amazing Grace Cafe.
Amazing Grace Cafe
394 S Lake Ave.
Duluth, MN 55802
You can find other upcoming events on our calendar:
http://occupyduluth.org/kitchen-calendar/
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For more information about the OccupyMN Movement visit:
http://www.occupymn.org
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