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Read about the best films of 2023 on page 7.
THE VOICE OF BLACK MINNESOTA SINCE 1934
December 28, 2023 - January 3, 2024
PRST STD U.S.POSTAGE PAID TWIN CITIES MN PERMIT NO. 6391
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Vol. 90
No. 22
Phone: 612-827-4021 www.spokesman-recorder.com
YEAR IN REVIEW he CROWN Act, which stands for “Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair,” would prohibit discrimination based on traits associated with race, such as hair texture and hair styles. The bill HF37, introduced by Rep. Esther Agbaje (DFL-Minneapolis) passed by a 111-19 vote on Jan. 11. “I am proud of my colleagues for passing the CROWN Act into law,” said the chief author of the House bill Rep. Agbaje, when the bill was signed into law on February 1.
Black hairstyles that are protected under state law Photo by flow clark/unsplash
Rep. Esther Agbaje introducing HF37, the CROWN Act, in Minnesota’s house of representatives. Photo courtesy of Paul Battaglia
he year began with a series of bills passed in the Minnesota state legislature that were designed to advance the DFL agenda. The party’s progressive platform included legalization of adult-use marijuana; the passage of the Crown Act that prohibited hair discrimination; establishing Juneteenth as a state holiday; and House Bill HF55, which established the Office of Missing and Murdered Black Women and Girls, authored by Rep. Ruth Richardson. Months later, Rep. Richardson would resign from the legislature and take on the role of CEO of the regional Planned Parenthood organization. The issue of homelessness in the Twin Cities and the challenges of finding affordable housing were persistent concerns throughout the year—from encampment evictions at The Quarry that marked the beginning of the year, to the rally to stave off sweeps at Camp Nenookaasi in December. Throughout the year, fallout from the George Floyd murder, the DOJ report, and the criminal justice system continued to resonate with our community. From police reform to the new Minneapolis public safety commissioner’s arrival and departure, the $8.875 million the city paid to settle Derek Chauvin brutality cases, Chauvin’s stabbing in prison, the carjacking epidemic, crime and drug use on public transit, the standoff at Stillwater prison, and the debate over the relocation of the Third Precinct—are all evidence of the chronic issues that continue to plague our community. In North Minneapolis, the year began with the closure of Aldi’s grocery and Walgreen’s and the prospect of relocation and marginalization of Northside businesses and cultural institutions to make way for the proposed Blue Line extension. While the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians has played out nationally, the response to the crisis locally has been largely muted. However, there were “good news” stories in 2023—Saint Paul’s reparation legislation, hiphop’s 50th celebration, restoration of voting rights to those who were formerly incarcerated, and the exoneration and release of Marvin Haynes a few weeks ago after nearly 20 years in prison.
n March 3, Gov. Walz signed a bill crafted by state legislators that restored the voting rights of those who were formerly incarcerated. The law went into effect on July 1, allowing 55,000 Minnesotans to participate, without restrictions, in the most fundamental democratic process—voting. “They say if you want people to be successful and reintegrate into society, and you want to decrease recidivism, and you want to make sure that individuals are not going to re-offend, you make sure that they can be a part of the fabric of our democracy,” observed Senator Bobby Joe Champion.
Minnesota Senate President Bobby Joe Champion, who helped spearhead efforts to restore voting rights who were formerly incarcerated. Photo by Chris Juhn
n November, the Minneapolis City Council voted to purchase and relocate the Third Precinct headquarters to 2633 Minnehaha Avenue, an industrial park in the southern part of the Seward neighborhood that could potentially include tenants and a community safety center.
n April 28, the Minnesota Senate passed a recreational marijuana legalization bill along a 34-33 party-line vote, following the House’s passage of a bill. The House and Senate bills were merged, and a final version was signed into law by Gov. Tim Walz in May.
Pexels MGN As part of the marijuana legalization bill, most minor convictions for possession were automatically expunged.
The site of the old Third Precinct that was burned during the protests over the murder of George Floyd Photo by H. Jiahong Pan ■ See YEAR IN REVIEW on page 5