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“Next fall” hits
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STUDENT RUN NEWS SINCE 1926
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MSUREPORTER.COM
Murder case against ex-cop in Floyd’s death goes to the jury ASSOCIATED PRESS The murder case against former Officer Derek Chauvin in the death of George Floyd went to the jury Monday in a city on edge against another round of unrest like the one that erupted last year over the harrowing video of Chauvin with his knee on the Black man’s neck. The jury of six white people and six people who are Black or multiracial began deliberating after nearly a full day of closing arguments in which prosecutors argued that Chauvin squeezed the life out of Floyd last May in a way that even a child knew was wrong. The defense contended that the now-fired white officer acted reasonably and that the 46-year-old Floyd died of a heart condition and illegal drug use. After closing arguments were done, Judge Peter Cahill rejected a defense request for a mistrial based in part on comments from California Rep. Maxine Waters, who said “we’ve got to get more confrontational” if Chauvin isn’t convicted of murder. The judge told Chauvin’s attorney: “Congresswoman Waters may have given you something on appeal that may result in this whole trial being overturned.” He called her comments “abhorrent” and “disrespectful to the rule of law and to the judicial branch.” Chauvin, 45, is charged with second-degree murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter, all of which require the jury to conclude that his actions were a “substantial causal factor” in Floyd’s death and that his use of force was unreasonable.
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TUESDAY, APRIL 20, 2021
Students march, raise voices against hate By JULIA BARTON Staff Writer
Hundreds of community members and students gathered Sunday to march against antisemitism and white supremacy in honor of Daunte Wright and everyone else who has lost their lives to police violence. The event was hosted by multiple groups including YWCA Mankato, Diversity & Inclusion at Minnesota State University, Mankato, and Indivisible of St. Peter and Greater Mankato. Starting in parking lot 23 on the corner of Monks Avenue and Stadium Road, hundreds gathered with signs as they marched down the busy street while letting their voices be heard. The march led to Centennial Student Union Mall at MNSU, where students, faculty and city officials took the stage to speak out and voice personal experiences regarding racism. Reauna Stiff, incoming Student Government president, share her experience as a young African American woman. “I remember when I was 12 years old hearing when
MANSOOR AHMAD • The Reporter Numerous students from around the Mankato area marched to the campus mall Sunday afternoon to hold a demonstration against antisemtism and white supremacy in wake of recent events.
Trayvon Martin was killed. This just shows how my generation has seen these cases time and time again and have grown up seeing this,” Stiff said. “I want to encourage the young people to keep speaking out and showing up because we will not tolerate racism or police brutality.” This event was in response to the recent stickers posted
Cadets spend weekend preparing for summer training full story on page 5
around Mankato and St. Peter espousing white supremacist and neo-Nazi views. Mike Laven, President of Mankato City Council, shared how he must represent all members of the community. “As the President I represent all 42,000 people and I represent the people here who are against racism,” he said.
“Over 20 years ago I said I will represent the community at large. That means I have to represent everyone regardless of why or who. That is the role I took and the job and responsibility you expect me to do and I am incredibly proud of the organizations that put this together.” The rally is just one of ANTI-HATE on page 2u
Pinky Swear PACK promises financial aid to cancer patients By JULIA BARTON Staff Writer
MAXWELL MAYLEBEN • The Reporter
The Pinky Swear PACK at Minnesota State University, Mankato is a student-led organization taking a stand to support children fighting cancer as well as aid their families financially. Their mission is to raise money through fundraiser events and food drives while also raising awareness of childhood cancer.
This is the first year this organization has been at MNSU as they started in August of 2020. The Foundation itself is a larger non-profit organization based in Minneapolis that helps children battling cancer and provide their families with direct financial aid for basic needs. Olivia Lindenfelser, junior and president of the PACK at MNSU, said she joined the group to help CHARITY on page 2u
India farmers’ protests increase worry in international students By JENNA PETERSON News Director
For just over half a year now, farmers in India have been protesting recent laws that have been passed to sup-
port corporate farms, or otherwise not lending a helping hand to small, local farms. This leaves community farms alone and unprotected from cheap labor, and our Minnesota State University, Manka-
to International students fearful of their family’s lives. MNSU senior Trivedi (who asked that his full name not be published) said some farmers are struggling to survive. “Our farmers are no longer
protected by the government,” he said. “Every supply a farmer needs comes from their own pocket, and since the profit hasn’t changed in 10 years, these farmers are lucky if they can earn any money from
their work.” Ayush Sharma, a junior at MNSU, agrees that these farmers are struggling and need help. “Our government is trying FARMERS on page 3u