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THE VOICE OF BLACK MINNESOTA SINCE 1934
October 26 - November 1, 2023
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Vol. 90
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Local protesters call for ceasefire as situation in Gaza worsens By Abdi Mohamed Contributing Writer
Protesters rally outside of the Minnesota State Capitol.
or the past few weeks, several demonstrations, gatherings, and protests have taken place across the Twin Cities metro area as communities and activists call for a ceasefire and humanitarian aid for Palestinians in Gaza. Thousands gathered outside the Minnesota State Capitol on Wednesday, Oct. 18, to rally in support of Palestinians. Those attending brought signs condemning the actions of Israel while others waved the Palestinian flag atop the steps of the capitol building. The rally was organized by the Anti-War Committee, the Minnesota chapter of American Muslims for Palestine (AMP), and the Photos by Chris Juhn
Ward 8 candidate Soren Stevenson
more than two million people—half of them children—find themselves caught in the midst of the fighting. Israeli Defense Force airstrikes have killed more than 4,000 Palestinians, nearly 1,800 of them children, according to Gaza’s health ministry. After lengthy negotiations between the United Nations, the U.S., Egypt and Israel, a 20-truck convoy entered Gaza through the Rafah crossing between Egypt and Gaza on October 21, after food, fuel and water had been cut off in the territory for two weeks. A second 17-truck convoy of aid was reportedly allowed to Conflict in Gaza Since October 7, the Gaza Strip has enter Gaza on Sunday, October 22. As images of the carnage in Gaza flooded been bombarded by Israeli forces since the outbreak of conflict between Hamas social media, Americans took to the streets and the state of Israel, after Hamas fight- across the country calling on political leaders breached the Israeli border indiscrimi- ers to pressure Israel to stop the bombing nately shooting and kidnapping Jewish and siege of Gaza, as President Joe Biden and Israeli citizens. Currently, there are reaffirmed the U.S. support for Israel. Several U.S. politicians have called for more than 200 hostages being held by the Biden administration to facilitate a Hamas, dozens of them U.S. citizens. Over the past two weeks, there have de-escalation of the conflict. They have been more than 1,400 Israelis killed and introduced a #CeasefireNOW Resolution 4,500 injured. The Israeli government retali- with more than a dozen Democrat memated against Hamas by bombing Gaza and bers of the House backing the measure, ■ See GAZA on page 5 cutting off its access to water and fuel as University of Minnesota chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine. The aim of the rally was to criticize Gov. Tim Walz’s vocal support of Israel and his silence on Palestinian occupation. It came one day after an explosion at the Al-Ahli Arabi Baptist Hospital in Gaza that reportedly killed hundreds who were sheltering in place. Several international leaders denounced the blast, as Palestinian and Israeli authorities continue to blame the tragedy on each other.
Ward 8 incumbent Andrea Jenkins
By Cole Miska Contributing Writer
By Cole Miska Contributing Writer
oren Stevenson is one of the leading Democrat candidates running for Minneapolis’s City Council Ward 8 seat.
ndrea Jenkins is the incumbent candidate running in Minneapolis’s City Council Ward 8 race to keep her seat as Minneapolis City Council President.
How did you get into politics? Stevenson says he delved more deeply into politics after he was shot in the eye by a Minneapolis Police Department (MPD) officer in 2020, while peacefully protesting the murder of George Floyd by MPD officer Derek Chauvin. “I lost my left eye and most of my sense of smell,” Stevenson said. “Coming out of that, I’ve had to make a lot of meaning about what it means to be me, what it means to be a White man shot in the struggle for Black liberation, what it means to be someone in Minneapolis shot by MPD in 2020. For me, I’ve come away with
How did you get into politics? Jenkins originally got into politics in her hometown of Chicago when she worked on the campaign of Chicago’s first Black mayor, Harold Washington. In Minneapolis, Jenkins was a policy aide for former Ward 8 city councilmember Robert Lilligren when he was still in office. She then Soren Stevenson Submitted Photo worked for Lilligren’s succes- Andrea Jenkins Submitted Photo sor, Elizabeth Glidden. Glidthat it’s a call to action. I know Stevenson said his views den decided not to run for re- I had been working on almost was elected president. Jenkins, what I know. I’ve experienced were cemented when, during election in 2017, and Jenkins every major project in this who is a Democrat, says she ward for the past 20 years,” viewed getting elected at a lowhat I’ve experienced. And I his work on affordable hous- ran for her seat. “In 2017, there was an open Jenkins said. feel a certain responsibility to ing, he saw a housing block cal level as a good way to fight Her initial campaign was Trump’s influence. make sure that brutality doesn’t be sold to a corporation rather seat in a ward that I knew happen to other people.” ■ See JENKINS on page 5 ■ See STEVENSON on page 5 deeply and intimately because shortly after Donald Trump
Candidates vie for Ward 7 open seat
Minneapolis Council race in this ward— home to some of the city’s richest and poorest—is up for grabs By H. Jiahong Pan Contributing Writer n January Lisa Goodman, currently representing Ward 7, announced that she would not run for reelection. The City Council seat, which represents Kenwood, Lake of the Isles, Cedar Lake, Lowry Hill, Bryn Mawr and Loring Park as well as the south and western parts of downtown Minneapolis, is wide open after her 24-year tenure. The ward is home to many buildings integral to the city’s livelihood, including the Minneapolis Convention Center, City Hall, Minneapolis Community and Technical College, the Minneapolis Central Library and the Hennepin County Government Center. There are three candidates vying for the open seat. They include envi-
didates have established their positions on key issues and honed their campaign messaging. Cashman touts her experience working internationally, particularly for the United Nations, on environmental and transportation issues. Graham, who is endorsed by Lisa Goodman, has extensive experience with DFL politics. And Foxworth, who appears to be laser-focused on a narrow view of safety, is the only Black candidate in the running for Ward 7. Kenneth Foxworth Photo courtesy of Facebook
Scott Graham Photo courtesy of Facebook
Katie Cashman Photo courtesy of LinkedIn
On public safety, homelessness and drugs Violent crime is decreasing in Given the diversity in Ward 7, the an’s Club of Minneapolis in Loring ronmental advocate and Minneapolis native Katie Cashman; real estate bro- candidates met for two debates over Park on September 28. The second Ward 7. Homicide, assault and robker Scott Graham; and airline worker, the past month, both sponsored by debate took place at the Lake of the bery have decreased compared to this time last year. However, crimes local public servant, and former MSR the League of Women Voters. The Isles church on October 12. ■ See 7TH WARD on page 6 Throughout the debates, the canfirst debate took place at the Womcontributor Kenneth Foxworth.