>> "ALMANAC" IS A PRODUCTION OF TWIN CITIES PBS FOR THE STATIONS OF MINNESOTA PUBLIC TELEVISION ASSOCIATION.

>> CATHY: GEORGE FLOYD WAS MURDERED ON THE EVENING OF MEMORIAL DAY 2020 JUST AS IT STARTED TO GROW DARK.

IN THE NEXT HOUR WE'LL LOOK BACK AT THE MOMENTOUS PAST YEAR AS WE TALK WITH ACTIVISTS, LEGAL EXPERTS, CLERGY AND THE MOTHER OF A SON SLAIN BY POLICE.

WE'LL ALSO LEARN ABOUT A FIRST-TERM LAWMAKER FIGHTING FOR CHANGE AT THE STATE CAPITOL, A TOWN IN SOUTHERN MINNESOTA GRAPPLING WITH RACE, AND MEET MUTUAL AID GROUPS WHO HAVE FOUND NEW PURPOSE AMID THE PANDEMIC.

THAT'S ALL ON THIS SPECIAL EDITION OF "ALMANAC."

♪♪♪ >> "ALMANAC" IS MADE POSSIBLE BY MEMBERS OF THIS PUBLIC TELEVISION STATION.

SUPPORT IS ALSO PROVIDED BY· GREAT RIVER ENERGY: PROVIDING ELECTRICITY AND RELATED SERVICES TO 28 CO-OPS IN MINNESOTA.

A TOUCHSTONE ENERGY COOPERATIVE.

DELTA DENTAL OF MINNESOTA FOUNDATION: MAKING DENTAL CARE POSSIBLE FOR MINNESOTANS IN NEED.

DELTADENTALMN.ORG/TPT.

THE SHAKOPEE MDEWAKANTON SIOUX COMMUNITY: A TRIBAL NATION FOCUSED ON COMMUNITY AND COLLABORATION - ESPECIALLY IN TIMES LIKE TODAY.

ENBRIDGE: CONNECTING MINNESOTANS WITH ENERGY FOR OVER 70 YEARS.

MORE AT ENBRIDGE.COM/LINETHREEUS.

AND EDUCATION MINNESOTA: THE VOICE FOR PROFESSIONAL EDUCATORS AND STUDENTS THROUGHOUT THE STATE.

MORE AT EDUCATIONMINNESOTA.ORG.

"ONE GREATER MINNESOTA" REPORTING ON "ALMANAC" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY THE OTTO BREMER TRUST, WHOSE MISSION IS INVESTING IN PEOPLE, PLACES AND OPPORTUNITIES IN THE UPPER MIDWEST.

ADDITIONAL SUPPORT COMES FROM THE MINNEAPOLIS FOUNDATION, INSPIRING AND ENGAGING IN ACTION TO REALIZE STRONG, VIBRANT COMMUNITIES, AND FROM THE BLANDIN FOUNDATION.

>> CATHY: WE START THE HOUR WITH A COMMUNITY ACTIVIST AND ATTORNEY WHO HAS APPEARED ON "ALMANAC" MORE THAN A DOZEN TIMES IN THE PAST DECADE ADVOCATING FOR CHANGE WHEN IT COMES TO SOCIAL JUSTICE AND POLICE ACCOUNTABILITY.

>> ERIC: HERE IN STUDIO TO TALK ABOUT THE WORK OF THE PAST YEAR AND WHAT EFFORT REMAINS, CIVIL RIGHTS ATTORNEY NEKIMA LEVY ARMSTRONG.

WELCOME.

ARE YOU SEEING PROGRESS OR JUST BEEN A LOT OF TALK SO FAR?

>> I'M SEEING QUITE A BIT OF PROGRESS.

THINK ABOUT THE FACT THAT ONE YEAR AGO THE WORLD TOOK NOTICE OF A LOT OF THE RACIAL JUSTICE ISSUES THAT WERE HAPPENING IN MINNESOTA FOLLOWING THE MURDER OF GEORGE FLOYD AT THE HANDS OF THE MINNEAPOLIS POLICE DEPARTMENT.

MILLIONS OF PEOPLE TOOK TO THE STREETS, MANY JURISDICTIONS CHANGED THEIR LAWS ON THE BOOKS, WE'VE SEEN PROGRESS BUT THERE'S STILL A LOT OF WORK YET TO DO.

>> Cathy: AS A BLACK PERSON ONE YEAR LATER, DO YOU FEEL ANY SAFER?

>> I DO NOT FEEL SAFER.

BUT I AM THANKFUL THAT A JURY OF DEREK CHAUVIN'S PEERS MADE THE DECISION THAT HIS ACTIONS REQUIRED THEM TO HOLD HIM ACCOUNTABLE, WHICH IS SOMETHING WE HAD NOT SEEN BEFORE IN THE STATE OF MINNESOTA.

DEREK CHAUVIN BECAME THE FIRST OFFICER IN THE HISTORY OF OUR STATE TO BE CONVICTED FOR KILLING A BLACK PERSON.

>> Eric: I WONDER IF FOLKS CAN SAY, WELL, THE CHAUVIN VERDICT CAME THROUGH APPROPRIATELY, MAYBE THE SITUATION ISN'T AS BAD AS WE THOUGHT.

I WONDER IF IT'S STALLED MOMENTUM A LITTLE BIT.

>> I DON'T THINK THAT IT STALLED MOMENTUM, BUT I THINK THAT WE HAVE TO RESET OUR EXPECTATIONS, IN TERMS OF UNDERSTANDING THAT IT TOOK A LOT OF EFFORT FOR THE OUTCOME OF THIS PARTICULAR TRIAL, HOWEVER, THERE IS STILL SO MUCH WORK TO DO TO UNDO SYSTEMIC RACISM IN THE STATE OF MINNESOTA, AND WE HAVE TO LOOK AT THE SYSTEM OF POLICING, WE HAVE TO LOOK AT THE SYSTEM OF MASS INCARCERATION, WE HAVE TO LOOK AT DISPARITIES WITHIN THE SYSTEM OF PUBLIC EDUCATION, AS WELL AS TREMENDOUS GAPS IN TERMS OF INCOME BETWEEN WHITE MINNESOTANS, BLACK MINNESOTANS AND OTHER MINNESOTANS OF COLOR.

>> Cathy: THERE DOES SEEM TO BE AWARENESS OF THE INEQUITIES IN THE STRUCTURAL -- AND THE STRUCTURAL RACISM, AT LEAST MORE OF A SPOTLIGHT BEING SHOWN ON IT, AND WHITE PEOPLE HEARING THIS, RIGHT?

BUT I'M WONDERING FROM WHERE YOU STAND AS AN ACTIVIST, IS THERE THE WILL TO CHANGE AMONG THOSE WHO CAN MAKE CHANGE, THE ELECTED OFFICIALS?

>> WELL, THE ELECTED OFFICIALS HAVE BEEN DRAGGING THEIR FEET, AND THIS IS BOTH DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS, UNFORTUNATELY.

IN THE AFTERMATH OF GEORGE FLOYD BEING KILLED, WE SAW SOME WATERED-DOWN POLICE REFORM BILLS THAT WERE PASSED AT THE LEGISLATURE AND SIGNED INTO LAW BY GOVERNOR WALZ.

SINCE THAT TIME, WE HAVE PROPOSED NINE ADDITIONAL POLICE REFORM BILLS, AND MANY OF THEM HAVE STALLED AT THE LEGISLATURE.

UNFORTUNATELY, MANY OF OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS DON'T SEEM TO HAVE THE POLITICAL WILL TO BRING FORWARD THE CHANGE THAT IS NEEDED.

MINNESOTA SHOULD BE LEADING THE NATION WITH REGARD TO POLICE REFORM BILLS.

>> Cathy: WHY DO YOU THINK THERE IS THIS LACK OF POLITICAL WILL?

>> I THINK THE LACK OF POLITICAL WILL, HONESTLY, HAS ALWAYS BEEN THERE.

WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT THE RACIAL DISPARITIES THAT WE KNOW ABOUT, THAT WE TALK ABOUT, WE HAVE BEEN STUCK IN A BOX AS FAR AS ADMIRING THE PROBLEM AND NOT ACTUALLY ROLLING UP OUR SLEEVES TO BRING FORWARD TANGIBLE RESULTS.

I THINK THAT THE FOLKS WHO ARE COMFORTABLE HAVE TO BE AWAKENED TO THE FACT THAT THE PROBLEMS THAT WE SEE CANNOT BE ISOLATED TO A FEW SMALL COMMUNITIES IN THE TWIN CITIES, BUT IF WE DO NOT ADDRESS THESE ISSUES, THE ENTIRE STATE IS GOING TO BE IMPACTED.

AND WE JUST SAW THE IMPACTS OF WHAT HAPPENED WITH GEORGE FLOYD BEING KILLED AND HOW NOT ONLY PEOPLE ACROSS THE STATE WERE IMPACTED BUT PEOPLE ACROSS THE NATION AND THE WORLD.

>> Eric: PUT ON YOUR LAWYER'S HAT FOR A SECOND.

I WONDER IF YOU THINK THAT IT SHOULD BE IN LAW THAT THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE PROSECUTES POLICE MISCONDUCT CASES?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

WE HAVE MADE PROPOSALS TO GOVERNOR WALZ TIME AND TIME AGAIN FOR THERE TO BE AN OFFICE OF THE INDEPENDENT SPECIAL PROSECUTOR THAT CAN BE THE ATTORNEY GENERAL AND, BETTER YET, A SPECIAL PROSECUTOR WHO HAS THE RESOURCES TO PROSECUTE CASES INVOLVING POLICE OFFICERS WHO KILL CIVILIANS.

IT'S LONG OVERDO FOR THAT TO HAPPEN IN OUR STATE.

>> Cathy: DO YOU THINK -- I KNOW THAT THERE WERE -- EXCUSE ME -- PROTESTS OUTSIDE WASHINGTON COUNTY ATTORNEY PETE ORPUT'S HOUSE, YOU KNOW, FROM ACTIVISTS SAYING, LOOK, WE THINK THAT THERE SHOULD BE MURDER CHARGES FILED AGAINST KIM POTTER, FORMER OFFICER, WHO KILLED DAUNTE WRIGHT.

DO YOU THINK THAT THAT HAD -- THE PROTESTS HAD ANYTHING TO DO WITH THE FACT THAT THE CASE HAS BEEN GIVEN TO THE A.G.'S OFFICE?

>> I ABSOLUTELY DO.

I WAS A PART OF THOSE PROTESTS.

WE WENT TO WASHINGTON COUNTY ATTORNEY PETE ORPUT'S HOME FOUR TIMES, TO STILLWATER, MINNESOTA.

WE ENGAGED HIM DURING TWO OF THOSE OCCASIONS.

AND WE TALKED TO HIM ABOUT THE NEED TO STRENGTHEN THE CHARGES AGAINST KIM POTTER.

WE ALSO REACHED OUT TO THE GOVERNOR, REALLY, HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE AROUND THE TWIN CITIES EMAILED AND CALLED THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE TO DEMAND MURDER CHARGES AND TO DEMAND THAT THE CASE BE PLACED INTO THE HANDS OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL.

UNFORTUNATELY, OUR COUNTY ATTORNEYS ARE NOT EQUIPPED TO PROSECUTE POLICE OFFICERS WHO KILL PEOPLE, AND FOR THOSE WHO DO NOT UNDERSTAND THAT, THINK ABOUT THE CALIBER OF THE PROSECUTION OF DEREK XAWFIN.

NOT ONLY -- CHAUVIN.

NOT ONLY THE QUALITY OF THE ATTORNEYS INVOLVED, BUT ALSO THE EXPERT WITNESSES WHO WERE A PART OF THAT CASE.

WE WOULD NOT HAVE SEEN A GUILTY VERDICT IF THE CASE HAD STAYED IN THE HANDS OF COUNTY ATTORNEY MIKE FREEMAN.

>> Eric: 19 CHILDREN HAVE BEEN SHOT IN 2021.

AND I'VE BEEN READING SOME QUOTES THIS WEEK.

MOTHERS AND GRANDMOTHERS SAYING, WHERE HAVE THE PROTESTS BEEN?

IS IT BECAUSE IT WASN'T A POLICE OFFICER INVOLVED?

WHAT DO YOU SAY TO THOSE MOTHERS AND GRANDMOTHERS?

>> WELL, I WOULD SAY THAT, NUMBER ONE, THERE HAVE BEEN PROTESTS AND MARCHES AND DEMONSTRATIONS AND VIGILS.

I'VE PERSONALLY PARTICIPATED IN SEVERAL OF THEM AND HELPED TO LEAD SEVERAL OF THEM.

AND THERE HAVE BEEN A LOT OF ACTIVISTS WHO HAVE ACTUALLY ATTENDED THOSE PROTESTS, WHO NORMALLY STAND AGAINST POLICE VIOLENCE.

I THINK ON THE FLIP SIDE, WHAT WE HAVE TO REALIZE IS THAT WHEN WE'RE OUT THERE DEMONSTRATING AGAINST POLICE VIOLENCE, WE'RE TALKING ABOUT BRINGING AN END TO STATE-SANCTIONED VIOLENCE, WHICH IS VERY DIFFERENT FROM WHAT HAPPENS IN OUR COMMUNITY.

WE KNOW THAT WHEN A MURDER HAPPENS, UNFORTUNATELY, IN OUR COMMUNITY, THAT, ONE, THERE'S GOING TO BE SOME ACCOUNTABILITY WHEN THOSE PERSONS ARE CAUGHT AND BROUGHT IN TO THE JUSTICE SYSTEM.

WHEN POLICE OFFICERS KILL PEOPLE, THERE'S TYPICALLY LITTLE TO NO ACCOUNTABILITY AT ALL.

OUR GOVERNMENT SHOULD NOT BE ABLE TO TAKE THE LIFE OF AN INDIVIDUAL AND BEYOND THAT PEOPLE DESERVE DUE PROCESS.

WE ALSO KNOW THAT ONE OF THE WAYS THAT YOU CURB VIOLENCE IN THE COMMUNITY IS BY MAKING SURE THAT THERE'S ADEQUATE ACCESS TO ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY.

HOW MANY STUDIES HAVE WE SEEN THAT HAVE SHOWN HUGE GAPS IN INCOME BETWEEN WHITE HOUSEHOLDS AND BLACK HOUSEHOLDS IN MINNESOTA?

EVEN IF YOU LOOK AT THE HOME OWNERSHIP GAP, BLACK PEOPLE OWN HOMES AT ABOUT 25% RATE COMPARED TO OVER 80% OF WHITE PEOPLE WHO OWN HOMES.

THOSE THINGS MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

AND THEN IF YOU PEEL BACK THE LAYERS EVEN FURTHER, AND YOU LOOK AT WHAT'S HAPPENING IN OUR PUBLIC EDUCATION SYSTEM, WE SEE THAT BLACK CHILDREN ARE BEING SYSTEMATICALLY DENIED ACCESS TO A QUALITY EDUCATION, WHICH SEVERELY LIMITS ACCESS TO OPPORTUNITY BEYOND HIGH SCHOOL.

>> Cathy: I WISH WE HAD MORE TIME WITH YOU.

THANK YOU, NEKIMA LEVY, WE APPRECIATE IT.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> I THINK TODAY'S A GOOD DAY OF REFLECTION.

WHAT HAS CHANGED A YEAR LATER?

IN MY OPINION, NOT MUCH.

BUT ON THE ACTIVIST SIDE, ON THE SIDE OF BEING A LEADER, HOW HAVE I CHANGED?

HOW'S MY COMMUNITY CHANGED?

WHAT HAVE WE BEEN DOING FOR THIS LAST YEAR?

HOW HAVE WE BEEN DOING MOBILIZING IN THE ACTIONS?

IT'S A DAY TO CELEBRATE GEORGE NOW AS AN ANCESTOR, HIS LIFE, HIS LEGACY.

WE ALL HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY, WE ALL HAVE A ROLE IN THIS MOVEMENT.

AND UNTIL WE TAKE OUR RESPONSIBILITY FOR OUR PART AND COME TOGETHER WITH OUR ROLE IN THIS MOVEMENT, NOTHING WILL EVER CHANGE.

IT TAKES A VILLAGE.

♪♪♪ >> CATHY: THIS HAS BEEN AN ESPECIALLY HARD YEAR FOR MINNESOTANS.

THE CORONAVIRUS HAS KILLED THOUSANDS OF RESIDENTS, HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS HAVE FILED FOR UNEMPLOYMENT, AND MANY PEOPLE ARE GOING HUNGRY.

STATE DATA SHOWS THAT BLACK MINNESOTANS CARRY AN UNEQUAL SHARE OF THOSE BURDENS.

BUT AS "REPORT FOR AMERICA" AND "ALMANAC" DATA REPORTER KYELAND JACKSON FOUND, THE COMMUNITY HAS STEPPED IN TO HELP CARE FOR ITS NEIGHBORS.

>> IN A BRICK BUILDING YARDS AWAY FROM GEORGE FLOYD SQUARE, EVERET DOES HIS WORK.

HE'S A MEMBER OF THE CENTER IN MINNEAPOLIS, WHICH SHUT DOWN LAST YEAR BECAUSE OF THE CORONAVIRUS, BUT WHEN RESIDENTS SPOKE UP ABOUT WHAT THEY NEED, THIS ORGANIZATION AND OTHER ORGANIZATIONS STEPPED IN.

>> A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT WANTED TO -- THEY DIDN'T KNOW WHAT TO DO TO HELP, THEY WANTED TO DO SOMETHING, SO PEOPLE FILLED THEIR CARS KNOWING THAT GROCERY STORES AND THINGS WERE EITHER CLOSED OR NOT AVAILABLE.

VERY QUICKLY CARLOADS, TRUCK LOADS, U-HAULS FILLED WITH DIAPERS AND WIPES AND CANS OF FOOD AND THEY WERE JUST DROPPING STUFF OFF.

>> IT'S PART OF A MOVEMENT IN THE TWIN CITIES THAT MAY BE MORE NECESSARY NOW THAN EVER.

DATA BY THE TWIN CITIES MUTUAL AID PROJECT LISTS MORE THAN 500 MUTUAL AID SITES ACROSS MINNESOTA.

86% OF THOSE SITES ARE CLOSED AND CORONAVIRUS RESTRICTIONS LIMIT WHAT MANY OTHERS CAN DO.

BUT IF YOU ASK JANELLE AUSTIN, WHO HELPED TO FOUND THE GEORGE FLOYD GLOBAL MEMORIAL NONPROFIT, THE SPIRIT FOR MUTUAL AID IS STILL STRONG.

ALREADY THE GROUP HAS HELPED TO DISTRIBUTE 6,000 BLANKETS AND PRESERVED THOUSANDS OF OFFERINGS LEFT AT THE MEMORIAL.

>> I HAVE A FRIEND WHO IS JAPANESE, AND HE ONCE TOLD ME A STORY AS AN ANALOGY.

HE SAID, JANELLE, WHEN WE DO TEA TOGETHER, YOU POUR TEA IN A CUP OF THE PERSON NEXT TO YOU.

AND YOU NEVER FILL YOUR OWN CUP.

BUT THERE'S THIS UNDERSTANDING THAT SOMEBODY ELSE WILL TAKE CARE OF YOUR CUP.

AND I THINK THAT'S MUTUAL AID.

I CAN GIVE KNOWING THAT SOMEBODY ELSE WILL GIVE TO ME IN MY TIME OF NEED.

I ACTUALLY THINK THAT AS WE LEAN INTO MUTUAL AID, IT FORCES US TO LEAN INTO COMMUNITY AND COMMUNITY IS THE ANTIDOTE TO RACISM.

>> HE'S THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE BLACK TABLE ARTS COOPERATIVE, WHICH HAS SERVED AS A MUTUAL AID SITE SINCE GEORGE FLOYD KILLING.

THE COOPERATIVE OPENED ITS SPACE AFTER RAISING MORE THAN $400,000 BETWEEN DONATIONS FROM THE COMMUNITY AND FROM ACTRESS ESA LAY.

BETWEEN PROVIDING SAFETY EQUIPMENT, DONATIONS TO DAUNTE WRIGHT'S FAMILY AND SPACE TO GIVE OUT DONATIONS, THERE'S ONE MOMENT THAT STICKS OUT.

>> THE VERDICT CAME BACK.

HE WAS GUILTY.

AND THEN I HEARD SOMEBODY AT THE FRONT DOOR, AND I THINK THEY WERE SAYING, HELLO, HELLO, HELLO.

SO I GOT UP TO SEE WHO IT WAS.

IT WAS AN ELDER.

BLACK WOMAN.

AND WHEN I SAY THAT SHE WAS SOBBING, LIKE I'VE NEVER SEEN ANYONE LIKE HER BODY WAS IN IT, YOU KNOW?

AND SHE SAID, SHE KEPT SAYING, I JUST NEED SOMEPLACE TO SIT.

THIS WORK GATHERS MULTIPLE BLACK COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE DIASPORA TO THINK ABOUT POLITICAL EDUCATION.

ALSO, SOMETIMES ELDERS JUST NEED A PLACE TO SIT, YOU KNOW.

AND THAT MOMENT WASN'T A PART OF AN EVENT.

THAT MOMENT WASN'T A PART OF, YOU KNOW, A LOCAL CAMPAIGN.

BUT IT JUST SHOWED THE NECESSITY THAT OUR DOORS HAD TO BE OPEN FOR THIS ELDER TO SIT IN OUR BOOKSTORE FOR A LITTLE BIT TO CATCH HER BREATH.

>> EVEN WITH A YEAR PASSING SINCE GEORGE FLOYD'S MURDER, EVAL SAY THERE'S MORE WORK TO BE DONE, THEY SAY THAT MORE COMMUNITY VOICES SHOULD BE UPLIFTED AND THAT PEOPLE SHOULD SUPPORT WORK FROM GRASSROOTS ORGANIZATIONS.

GEORGE FLOYD SQUARE IS A PAINFUL REMINDER THAT WE MUST ALSO WORK ON OURSELVES.

>> I MEAN, IT'S BECOME A GLOBAL FOCAL POINT FOR JUST HOW SYSTEMIC THIS INJUSTICE GOES.

AND HOW WE ALL PARTICIPATE IN THAT.

WE ALL PERPETUATE THESE SYSTEMS.

SO THERE'S A SAYING THAT'S KIND OF BECOME ONE OF THE MANTRAS IN THE SQUARE IS, BE PATIENT WITH PEOPLE.

[ Indiscernible ] AND BE UNDERSTANDING WITH SYSTEMS WITHIN PEOPLE.

♪♪♪ >> ERIC: IN THE YEAR SINCE GEORGE FLOYD'S MURDER, PLACES OF WORSHIP HAVE HAD TO WORK, OFTEN REMOTELY, TO HELP CONGREGANTS MAKE SENSE OF WHAT HAS HAPPENED.

TPT PRODUCER LUKE HEIKKILA RECENTLY MET UP WITH THREE CLERGY TO LEARN ABOUT HOW THEY ARE CARING FOR BOTH THEIR CHURCH FAMILIES AND THEIR OWN CHILDREN DURING THIS TIME OF RACIAL AWAKENING.

>> THE MURDER OF GEORGE FLOYD REVEALED TO MANY OF OUR PARISHIONERS THAT WE HAVE BEEN CONSCIOUSLY AND UNCONSCIOUSLY PARTICIPATING IN SYSTEMIC RACISM AND THERE'S BEEN AN AAPOCALYPSE, THE WORD APOCALYPSE WE KNOW MEANS REVEAL, TO SHOW, SOMETHING THAT HAS ALWAYS BEEN THERE BUT WE SEE IT NOW WITH NEW EYES.

>> TO ADDRESS ILLS IN THIS SOCIETY.

GEORGE FLOYD, WE USE THE PLATFORM THAT WE HAVE TO CONTINUE TO PREACH THE MESSAGE OF LOVE.

>> I'M PREACHING NEXT SUNDAY, AND I'M ACTUALLY KIND OF MAKING A COMPARISON TO THE REFORMATION THAT HAPPENED IN THE 1500s AND WHAT A HUGE REVOLUTION THAT WAS THEN.

I FEEL VERY MUCH LIKE WE'RE IN THE MIDST OF THAT AS WELL.

>> I'VE NOTICED A DEEP LONGING FOR PARISHIONERS TO HAVE THAT REALLY DIFFICULT CONVERSATION OF SELF-AWARENESS AROUND HOW THEY MAY HAVE UNCONSCIOUSLY BEEN PARTICIPATING IN RACIST SYSTEMS THAT THEY ONLY ARE NOW COMING TO TERMS WITH.

>> UNCONSCIOUS BIAS IS MOSTLY GOOD PEOPLE WHO HAVE GOOD INTENTIONS IN THEIR HEART STILL DOING HARM TO OTHERS.

I EXPERIENCED THAT THROUGH SAM MUCH MORE OFTEN THAN I DO ANY SORT OF OVERT RACISM.

>> SO DO YOU GO BY SAM OR SAMUEL?

>> I GO BY SAM, SAMMY, SAMUEL, GO BY ANYTHING.

I LOVE MATH.

I'M A BIG FAN OF MATH.

I LOVE READING.

DEFINITELY I THINK MY FAVORITE IS HISTORY RIGHT NOW.

>> GOT A WHOLE LOT OF STUFF TO TALK ABOUT IN THAT CLASS BECAUSE GEORGE FLOYD, THE ONE -- WHO IS THE OTHER GUY?

>> DAUNTE WRIGHT.

>> YEAH, HIM.

>> FEELS LIKE THAT TYPE OF STUFF KIND OF IS NORMAL AT THIS POINT, THAT TYPE OF STUFF HAPPENS QUITE A BIT.

SO I FEEL LIKE WHEN WE GET ON THAT TOPIC, IT'S NOT LIKE NEW TO ME.

BEING BLACK AND BEING BIG IS PROBABLY A SCARY THING.

MY DAD WAS A PRETTY BIG GUY.

BUT I'VE ALWAYS THOUGHT, I'M GOING TO BE BIG LIKE HIM, 6'3", I'M PRETTY SURE IS MY ESTIMATED HEIGHT.

SURE, I'M GOING TO GAIN WEIGHT SOONER OR LATER.

GET A LITTLE BIGGER.

BUT IN THOSE TYPES OF SITUATIONS YOU COULD BE SEEN AS A THREAT, I GUESS.

I'VE GOTTEN THE TALK BEFORE, IF YOU KNOW WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT.

I MEAN, THERE'S NOT MUCH I CAN REALLY DO ABOUT IT.

I'VE KIND OF GOT TO PRAY THAT SOMETHING BAD DOESN'T HAPPEN.

>> I'VE WATCHED HIM GRIEVE THE LOSS OF THAT, LIKE I'M INNOCENT AND HAPPY GO LUCKY EVERYWHERE I GO.

I HOPE THAT SAM CAN BE A FORCE IN OUR WORLD AND I'M WATCHING HIM START TO DO THAT.

THOSE ARE THE GOOD DAYS.

AND ON THE BAD DAYS, I SEE A KID THAT IS SCARED TO DEATH.

OF WHAT THE FUTURE MIGHT HOLD.

>> ONE OF THE THINGS I NEVER HAD TO WORRY ABOUT, I'M SURE MY PARENTS DIDN'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT, IF I WAS GOING TO COME BACK HOME.

THAT'S A CONSTANT WORRY I HAVE HERE.

YOU KNOW?

IF THESE GUYS ARE GOING OFF EVERY DAY, WILL I GET BACK HOME?

IT'S ALWAYS AT THE BACK OF YOUR MIND.

>> MY HOPES ARE THAT MY CHILDREN WILL GROW UP IN A MORE JUST, FREER SOCIETY, WITHOUT FEAR OF BEING KILLED JUST FOR BEING YOU.

>> ANYBODY WHO HAS A CHILD, YOU REALLY GRIEVE THE FIRST TIME THEIR HEART GETS BROKEN OR THE FIRST TIME, YOU KNOW, THEY GET CUT FROM THE TEAM OR THE FIRST TIME THEY DON'T MAKE THE SCHOOL PLAY, YOU KNOW, THAT'S THE FEELING.

BUT IT'S MAYBE TIMES A THOUSAND IN THAT ANY TIME HE WALKS OUT THE DOOR, HE KNOWS AND I KNOW THAT THERE IS JUST A DIFFERENT LEVEL OF DANGER THAN THERE IS FOR HIS FRIENDS.

♪♪♪ >> WE HAVE TO KEEP IN MIND THAT THIS COMMUNITY, ALL COMMUNITIES OF COLOR ARE DOING MULTIPLE THINGS ON MULTIPLE LEVELS ALL THE TIME.

IT'S NOT A LINEAR THING AND IT'S NOT A ONE AT A TIME THING.

AND IT'S SOMETHING THAT AMERICA'S STARTING TO WAKE UP AND REALIZE THAT AS MUCH AS THERE HAS BEEN FOLKS DOING UNREST, THERE'S FOLKS THAT ARE INVOLVED IN HEALING, THERE ARE FOLKS THAT ARE HOLDING SPACE, THERE'S FOLKS THAT ARE PUSHING, THIS ISN'T A SICKLE -- SINGLE ACTIVITY.

AND THE IDEA IS YOU GET TO SEE ALL OF IT ON DISPLAY.

IF YOU WALK FROM HERE ALL THE WAY DOWN, YOU'RE GOING TO SEE MUSIC, YOU'RE GOING TO SEE DANCING, YOU'RE GOING TO SEE HEAL, YOU'RE GOING TO SEE FOLKS KEEPING THAT PROTEST AND UNREST SPACE ALIVE, YOU'RE GOING TO SEE ALL OF IT, BECAUSE ALL OF IT CONVICTS AND CRITIQUES OUR INABILITY TO GET THIS RIGHT.

AND TO PRESERVE LIFE.

♪♪♪ >> CATHY: IN FIVE WEEKS IT WILL BE THE FIFTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE POLICE KILLING OF PHILANDO CASTILE IN FALCON HEIGHTS.

HIS MOTHER, VALERIE, HAS BEEN WORKING EVER SINCE TO CHANGE POLICE PRACTICES.

SHE'S HAD SOME SUCCESS CREATING BEST PRACTICES WITH HOW PROSECUTORS WORK WITH COMMUNITIES IN THE AFTERMATH OF SHOOTINGS, BUT THE REFORM BILL CARRYING HER SON'S NAME IS STILL AWAITING PASSAGE AT THE STATE LEGISLATURE.

VALERIE CASTILE HAS SPENT THE LAST YEAR TALKING WITH AND SUPPORTING OTHER PARENTS OF SONS AND DAUGHTERS KILLED BY POLICE.

IT'S GOOD TO SEE YOU AGAIN.

WELCOME TO "ALMANAC."

>> THANK YOU.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR HAVING ME TODAY.

THANK YOU.

>> Cathy: VALERIE, YOU'RE A MEMBER OF A VERY SAD CLUB.

AND I'M WONDERING, HOW DO YOU KEEP WORKING FOR CHANGE WHILE LIVING WITH THE GRIEF?

>> WELL, THE WAY THAT I KEEP MOVING FORWARD IS TO JUST REALLY THINK ABOUT THE FUTURE LEADERS OF THIS COUNTRY.

THERE'S NOT MUCH I CAN DO FOR PHILANDO, BUT I CAN WORK TOWARDS CHANGING POLICIES TO HELP OUR YOUNGER GENERATION OF CHILDREN.

IT'S A MUST.

WE HAVE TO DO THIS.

>> Eric: TELL US ABOUT THE PHILANDO CASTILE RELIEF FOUNDATION, AND YOU HELP FOLKS IN YOUR SITUATION, I GUESS, COPE WITH THE AFTERMATH AND ALL THAT GOES WITH IT.

WHAT ARE THOSE EXCHANGES LIKE?

>> WELL, THE RELIEF FOUNDATION WAS CREATED AFTER PHILANDO WAS MURDERED AND WHAT WE DO IS WE HELP FAMILIES THAT LOSE THEIR LOVED ONE TO GUN VIOLENCE BY OFFERING A DONATION OF $400 THAT CAN EITHER GO ON EXPENSES OR GO OUT TO EAT OR WHATEVER THEY WANT TO SPEND IT ON, YOU KNOW.

AND WE ALSO HELP REDUCE THE NEGATIVE LIFESTYLE WITHIN OUR STRUGGLING FOOD SYSTEMS.

[ BELL RINGING ] THAT'S MY FAMILY.

>> Eric: YOU'RE WORKING FROM HOME TONIGHT, SO NO PROBLEM.

>> YEAH, WE ALL ARE DOING THAT QUITE A BIT, UNFORTUNATELY, WITH THE PANDEMIC AND EVERYTHING.

BUT JUST BEING AROUND THE LADIES AND LISTENING TO THEM TALK ABOUT THEIR CHILDREN.

MUCH DIFFERENT THAN YOU MAY HEAR FROM THE MEDIA.

BUT JUST BEING AN EAR FOR THEM AND TO PRAY WITH THEM AND JUST BE THAT UNITY OF FAMILY THAT HAS LOST A LOVED ONE, ESPECIALLY TO POLICE BRUTALITY.

AND IT'S HEARTBREAKING, BUT I JUST UNDERSTAND THAT, YOU KNOW, EVERYBODY NEEDS SOMEONE IN THEIR TIME OF GRIEF, AND NO ONE OTHER CAN HELP COMFORT YOU THAN SOMEONE THAT HAS ACTUALLY GONE THROUGH THE SAME THINGS THAT YOU HAVE.

SO IT'S MY PLEASURE TO BE ABLE TO ASSIST THE LADIES BECAUSE IT'S DIFFICULT.

YOU KNOW?

WE LOVE OUR CHILDREN, TOO.

WE THINK THE SUN SHINES ABOVE THEM.

AND UNTIL WE -- UNTIL THEY START SEEING OUR CHILDREN THE WAY THEY SEE THEIR OWN CHILDREN, THEN MAYBE THEY WON'T BE SO QUICK TO PULL THE TRIGGER.

SO JUST BEING ABLE TO HELP AND BE AN EAR FOR THESE FAMILIES, ABSOLUTELY.

>> Cathy: YOU KNOW, I'M CURIOUS, YOU'VE DONE SO MUCH WORK WITH THE PHILANDO CASTILE BILL THAT YOU'VE BEEN WORKING ON HARD AND IT'S STILL KIND OF SITTING THERE AT THE LEGISLATURE.

DOES IT SOME DAYS FEEL LIKE YOU'RE ROLLING A BOULDER UP A HILL TRYING TO GET CHANGE GOING AT THE STATE LEGISLATURE?

>> OH, ABSOLUTELY.

ABSOLUTELY.

THIS BILL, WE KNOW IT'S A HEAVY BILL, BUT IT'S ADDRESSING EVERYTHING, ALL THE PROBLEMS AND ISSUES THAT WE FACE IN OUR COMMUNITIES.

WE KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEMS ARE.

BUT IT'S ABOUT HOW DO WE SOLVE THE PROBLEM.

I'M ALL ABOUT SOLUTIONS.

YOU KNOW?

SO, THE BILL ADDRESSES A LOT OF ISSUES AND THE WAY WE'RE DOING IT, WE'RE ADDRESSING SYSTEMIC RACISM FINANCIALLY.

I FEEL STRONGLY THAT OUR COMMUNITIES CAN ADVANCE IF WE HAVE THE PROPER FUNDING TO CREATE DIFFERENT TRAINING PROGRAMS WITHIN THE COMMUNITY, GET OUR YOUNG PEOPLE JOB READY, TO HELP THEM MENTALLY, REDUCE THE HOMELESSNESS.

IT'S JUST A PACKAGE WITH A WEALTH OF INFORMATION AND WORKABLE, DOABLE THINGS THAT CAN HELP IMPROVE THE AFRICAN AMERICAN AND AFRICAN IMMIGRANT BE COMMUNITIES.

>> Eric: WE JUST HAVE A MINUTE LEFT.

>> I DON'T -- >> Eric: WE JUST HAVE A MINUTE LEFT AND I WANTED TO ASK YOU THIS.

ONE OF THE THINGS ABOUT YOUR SOLUTION -- YOU'RE SOLUTION-ORIENTED AND ONE OF THE THINGS THAT THE FOUNDATION DOES, DOES IT PAY FOR LUNCHROOM DEBT FOR POOR KIDS?

IS THAT ONE OF THE THINGS YOU DO?

>> YES.

ABSOLUTELY.

WE REDUCE THOSE LUNCH BALANCES, YES, WE DO.

WE HAVE DONATED TO COOPER HIGH SCHOOL BECAUSE THE SENIOR CLASS PARTICIPATING IT ACTIVITIES, GRADUATION ACTIVITIES, SO, YEAH, OF COURSE, WE HELPED THEM WITH THAT, BECAUSE YOU WORKED FOUR YEARS TO ENJOY THAT DAY AND TO BE DENIED BECAUSE YOU OWE A LUNCH DEBT, YOU KNOW.

SO I NEVER KNEW ABOUT A LUNCH DEBT UNTIL AFTER THE INFORMATION SURFACED, YOU KNOW, AROUND MY SON BEING MURDERED.

AND ALL THOSE WONDERFUL THINGS THAT HE CONTRIBUTED TO HIS JOB AND HELPING THOSE CHILDREN, HELPING THEIR PARENTS, PAYING OUT OF HIS POCKET THOSE LUNCH BILLS WHEN THEY DIDN'T HAVE MONEY FOR THE DAY, HE'D PAY OUT OF HIS OWN POCKET.

WE KNOW HOW IMPORTANT IT IS FOR A MEAL AND YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT THE FAMILY DYNAMICS ARE, IF THOSE MEALS WERE THE ONLY HEALTHY MEALS THEY HAD FOR THE DAY.

AND HE MADE SURE THAT THEY ATE.

SO THAT'S SOMETHING THAT WE DO.

WE PARTNER WITH A LOT OF OTHER ORGANIZATIONS, WORKING TO IMPROVE AND EMPOWER OUR COMMUNITIES.

SO THE PHILANDO CASTILE RELIEF FOUNDATION IS DOING A LOT FOR THE COMMUNITY, AND WE WANT TO CONTINUE WORKING WITH OUR COMMUNITIES TO BETTER OUR COMMUNITIES BY PRESSING THE LEGISLATORS TO PASS SOME OF THESE BILLS AND PUT THE INVESTMENT INTO THE COMMUNITY.

THAT'S ALL WE'RE ASKING.

>> Eric: APPRECIATE YOUR TIME TONIGHT.

WE'VE RUN OUT OF TIME.

WISH WE HAD MORE.

>> Cathy: AND YOU HAVE GUESTS AT THE DOOR.

>> Eric: YOU'VE GOT A BUSY HOUSEHOLD TONIGHT, THANKS.

>> Cathy: THANK YOU, VALERIE.

YOU TAKE CARE.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR HAVING ME.

>> Eric: YOU BET.

>> Cathy: YOU TOO.

THANK YOU.

>> CATHY: LAWMAKERS CONCLUDED THE REGULAR SESSION OF THE MINNESOTA LEGISLATURE WITHOUT AGREEING ON ADDITIONAL POLICE REFORM MEASURES.

THEY'LL BE BACK JUNE 14TH, BUT IT'S UNCERTAIN THAT THEY'LL REACH AGREEMENT.

REPORTER MARY LAHAMMER TALKED WITH A FIRST-TERM LAWMAKER WHO BECAME THE LEADING LEGISLATIVE VOICE FOR POLICE REFORM EVEN THOUGH HE WASN'T IN THE LEGISLATURE WHEN GEORGE FLOYD WAS KILLED.

>> Mary: 15 MILES FROM MINNEAPOLIS WHERE GEORGE FLOYD TOOK HIS LAST BREATH, CEDRICK FRAZIER, A FRESHMAN LAWMAKER FROM A SUBURB, EMERGED AS THE LEADING VOICE IN THE LEGISLATURE FOR POLICE REFORM.

ONE YEAR AGO, SITTING ON HIS COUCH, A FRIEND FORWARDED HIM FOOTAGE OF FLOYD'S DEATH UNDER THE KNEE OF A POLICE OFFICER.

>> I'M ALWAYS HESITANT TO OPEN THINGS UP BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, IT'S TRAUMATIC TO WATCH THEM, RIGHT?

AND I SAW THE CAPTION.

BUT I WATCHED IT.

AND I THOUGHT TO MYSELF, THIS COULD HAVE BEEN ME.

THIS COULD HAVE BEEN MY BROTHER.

IT COULD BE MY NEPHEW.

WHO JUST RECENTLY GOT HIS PERMIT TO DRIVE.

>> Mary: AT THIS POINT FRAZIER WASN'T A LEGISLATOR YET.

HE WAS A CRYSTAL CITY COUNCIL MEMBER, A LAWYER, A HUSBAND, A FATHER.

>> I TOLD MY WIFE, I SAID, I CAN'T BELIEVE THAT THIS KEEPS HAPPENING.

AND I HOPE THAT WITH THIS BEING ON VIDEO THE WAY THAT IT IS, THAT THIS IS GOING TO BE SOMETHING THAT IS A CATALYST FOR CHANGE.

>> Mary: IN THE AFTERMATH, LAWMAKERS AT THE STATE CAPITOL DID CHANGE SOME LAWS, LIKE BANNING CHOKEHOLDS AND WARRIOR TRAINING, BUT FRAWZIER WANTED -- FRAZIER WANTED TO SEE MORE.

>> I WAS ALREADY RUNNING ON THE BELIEF THAT I WANTED TO COME AND DISRUPT POLICIES THAT WERE CAUSING INEQUITIES.

>> Mary: AND THE PUSH OF CHANGING POLICING POLICIES.

>> I BELIEVE THINGS HAPPEN FOR A REASON.

AND I BELIEVE THIS IS THE REASON.

AND THIS IS YOUR PURPOSE.

RIGHT?

YOU'VE GOT TO GO IN AND YOU'VE GOT TO GET TO WORK RIGHT AWAY TO ADDRESS THESE ISSUES.

>> Mary: THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT FRAZIER DID.

RIGHT AWAY, HE BECAME VICE CHAIR OF THE PUBLIC SAFETY AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM COMMITTEE IN HIS FIRST TERM.

>> I WAS IN AN ARENA THAT I WANTED TO BE IN, WHERE I WANTED TO BE ABLE TO USE MY VOICE TO MAKE CHANGE.

AND, REALLY, MY BACKGROUND IS, I WAS A PUBLIC DEFENDER.

>> Mary: FRAZIER'S BACKGROUND BEGAN ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF CHICAGO.

ATHLETICS BROUGHT HIM TO RURAL MORRIS, MINNESOTA, TO PLAY FOOTBALL AND RUN TRACK.

AND FALL IN LOVE WITH THE STATE THAT WOULD BECOME HIS HOME.

>> MORRIS TOTALLY DIFFERENT FROM THE CITY I GREW UP IN.

I WENT FROM, YOU KNOW, MY COMMUNITY WAS 99% OF PEOPLE WHO LOOK LIKE ME TO, YOU KNOW, ABOUT 95% OF PEOPLE DID NOT LOOK LIKE ME.

I'VE BEEN PULLED OVER, DRIVING WHILE BLACK.

I'VE HAD THOSE EXPERIENCES.

>> Mary: WAS IT WORSE THERE OR JUST DIFFERENT?

>> IT WAS JUST DIFFERENT.

IT WAS JUST DIFFERENT.

I WOULD SAY THIS.

WHEN I LIVED IN A COLLEGE TOWN IN MORRIS, ALL OF THE CAMPUS OFFICERS KNEW WHO I WAS BEFORE I KNEW WHO THEY WERE.

BUT I THINK THEY WERE -- SO THEY WERE IDENTIFYING WHO FOLKS WERE.

BUT I STILL GOT PULLED OVER FOR REASONS THAT, YOU KNOW, DIDN'T REALLY MAKE SENSE TO ME.

I HADN'T DONE ANYTHING.

>> Mary: HE WENT ON TO GRAD SCHOOL AT MANKATO STATE AND LAW SCHOOL AT WILLIAM MITCHELL.

>> MY SISTER ASKS ME THAT ALL THE TIME.

WHEN ARE YOU COMING HOME?

AND WHAT I SAULS SAY, I'VE HAD GREAT OPPORTUNITIES HERE.

IN THE STATE OF MINNESOTA.

CONTINUE TO HAVE GOOD OPPORTUNITIES.

AND I REALLY DO THINK THINGS HAPPEN FOR A REASON AND I THINK I AM HERE FOR A REASON.

>> Mary: MINNESOTA LEADS THE NATION IN SO MANY MEASURES OF EDUCATION, INCOME, AMENITIES, AFFORDABILITY, BUT ALSO LEADS IN INEQUITIES AND GAPS IN THESE SAME CATEGORIES.

>> MINNESOTA CANNOT -- CAN NEVER BE GREAT UNLESS ALL MINNESOTANS HAVE THE SAME TYPE OF OPPORTUNITIES.

THAT WHEN WE LOOK AT THOSE HIGH RANKINGS, IF ALL MINNESOTANS DON'T HAVE ACCESS TO HAVE THOSE OPPORTUNITIES, WE CAN NEVER BE GREAT.

WHENEVER SOMEONE FEELS LIKE THEY'RE BEING CALLED RACIST, THEY ALWAYS POINT BACK TO, I HAVE FAMILY MEMBERS, I HAVE -- I HAVE FAMILY MEMBERS, I HAVE BLACK PEOPLE IN MY FAMILY.

AND I THINK THAT HELPS THEM AVOID, THEY USE THAT TO AVOID HAVING THE CONVERSATION, TO REALLY TAKE A LOOK IN THE MIRROR TO SEE HOW THEY MAY BE PERPETUATING THESE INEQUITIES THAT WE HAVE AND, QUITE FRANKLY, THE RACISM THAT WE HAVE IN THIS STATE.

I'VE HEARD PEOPLE SAY TO ME, YOU ARE LIKE THE BIRACIAL CAPITAL OF THE COUNTRY, RIGHT?

AND I HAVE PEOPLE, THIS IS BEFORE WE HAD THE DATA TO PROVE THAT.

>> Mary: ONLINE CONFERENCE COMMITTEE, THE FRESHMAN WENT TOE TO TOE WITH REPUBLICAN SENATE CHAIR WARREN LIMMER WHO ACTUALLY ATTENDS THE SAME SUBURBAN CHURCH.

>> I THINK WE CAN CONNECT ON A LOT HERE.

HE DIDN'T HEAR THAT.

>> I PERSONALLY DON'T WANT TO VILLIANIZE ALL POLICE OFFICERS.

>> WHAT'S THE SOLUTION?

MORE POLICE.

IT'S NOT REFORMING POLICE RIGHT NOW.

THAT SHOULD NOT BE THE MESSAGE.

>> I'M FRUSTRATED THAT THE SESSION ENDED WITHOUT REFORM COMING ALONG.

I'VE BEEN VERY CLEAR, I'VE BEEN VERY DIRECT WITH MY GOP COLLEAGUES THAT THEY MISSED OPPORTUNITIES TO HAVE HEARINGS ALL SESSION.

>> Mary: ULTIMATELY, REPRESENTATIVE FRAZIER SEES POTENTIAL COMPROMISES AROUND ADDITIONAL BODY CAMERAS, A DATABASE, NO KNOCK WARRANT BAN, AND ADDRESSING PRETEXTUAL STOPS, LIKE THAT THAT ULTIMATELY ENDED ANOTHER LIFE, THAT OF DAUNTE WRIGHT.

>> THE COMMUNITY HAS BEEN DEMANDING THIS.

MINNESOTANS HAVE BEEN DEMANDING THIS.

AND THIS IS GOING TO BE GOOD FOR ALL MINNESOTANS.

I'M FRUSTRATED WE KEEP DELAYING, WE KEEP DELAYING GIVING THEM WHAT THEY NEED.

>> Mary: DO YOU FEEL LIKE ULTIMATELY IN THE NEXT SPECIAL SESSION OR A SPECIAL SESSION TO COME THAT IT WILL COME TOGETHER?

ARE YOU OPTIMISTIC?

>> I AM HOPEFUL.

I AM HOPEFUL BECAUSE THE GOVERNOR HAS SAID HE'S GOING TO EXPEND POLITICAL CAPITAL, THE GOVERNOR HAS BEEN VERY VOCAL.

♪♪♪ >> A YEAR AFTER GEORGE FLOYD'S DEATH, NO MATTER YOUR SKIN COLOR OR YOUR POLITICAL VIEWS, YOUR LIFE HAS CHANGED.

THE VIDEO OPENED OUR EYES TO SOME HARD TRUTHS, ABOUT COMMUNITY POLICING AND COMMUNITIES OF COLOR.

I REMEMBER THE DAY BEFORE GEORGE FLOYD'S MURDER.

MY SON, DANIEL, WAS DOING A WORKSHEET ABOUT COMMUNITY HELPERS WITH HIS AUTISM THERAPIST.

SHE SHOWED HIM A PHOTO OF A TEACHER, A POSTAL WORKER AND A POLICE OFFICER.

THEN ASKED, WHICH ONE HE WOULD CALL IF HE NEEDED HELP.

MY SON COULDN'T RESPOND.

NOT BECAUSE HE DIDN'T UNDERSTAND THE QUESTION, BUT BECAUSE FROM THE CHOICES SHE'D GIVEN HIM, DANIEL DIDN'T SEE A SUITABLE ANSWER.

I EXPLAINED THAT FROM THE TIME MY CHILDREN COULD TALK, I'VE GIVEN THEM "THE TALK."

IT'S A SAD RITE OF PASSAGE THAT BLACK BOYS MUST EXPERIENCE SO THEY'RE EDUCATED ABOUT HOW TO HANDLE POLICE INTERACTIONS.

BE RESPECTFUL.

HANDS BY YOUR SIDE.

NOT IN YOUR POCKETS.

NO HOODIES.

DON'T TALK BACK.

AND DON'T DEFEND YOURSELF.

THE THERAPIST THOUGHT I WAS BEING A BIT PARANOID.

THAT'S UNDERSTANDABLE.

MANY OF MY WHITE GIRLFRIENDS OVER THE YEARS FELT THE SAME WAY.

THEY ASSUMED I WAS BEING OVERPROTECTIVE FOR NOT ALLOWING MY SON, ANDREW, TO WALK TO CAR BONY'S BY HIMSELF FOR LUNCH.

THAT WAS UNTIL THEY SAW VIDEO OF GEORGE FLOYD BEING LYNCHED.

THAT VIDEO MADE EVERYONE MORE AWARE OF THE DANGERS BLACK MEN FACE IN THIS COUNTRY.

THE THERAPIST CALLED ME BACK LATER.

AND WE HAD A GOOD, LONG TALK ABOUT IT.

NOW, I'M HAVING THAT TALK WITH MORE AND MORE WHITE FOLKS, ABOUT WHAT WE CAN ALL DO TO MAKE IT BETTER FOR OUR CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN.

AND THIS IS WHAT I ALWAYS TELL PEOPLE.

MORE THAN A WORKSHOP THAT YOU CAN SIGN UP FOR, BETTER THAN A BOOK YOU CAN BUY, IF YOU TRULY WANT TO HELP ME END RACISM, GET YOURSELF A BLACK FRIEND.

I'M NOT TALKING ABOUT A BLACK CO-WORKER OR A BLACK NEIGHBOR OR A BLACK CHURCH MEMBER.

A TRUE FRIEND.

BECAUSE IF YOU HAVE A BLACK FRIEND, THEIR LIVES WILL MATTER.

THEIR CHILDREN'S LIVES WILL MATTER.

AFTER GEORGE FLOYD'S DEATH, MY FRIEND SUE, SENT ME THE SWEETEST TEXT MESSAGE.

IT SAID, SEVERAL YEARS AGO, YOU CHALLENGED MY ASSUMPTIONS ABOUT LAW ENFORCEMENT.

YOU WERE VULNERABLE ENOUGH TO SHARE YOUR FEAR FOR YOUR FAMILY.

YOUR WILLINGNESS TO SHARE YOUR PAIN HAS EDUCATED ME AND HAS MADE A DIFFERENCE.

I'M HERE FOR YOU.

I'M GRATEFUL FOR YOU.

LOVE SUE.

NOW, I GOTTA ASK YOU, AFTER THE MURDER, WHO DID YOU MESSAGE?

>> ERIC: GEORGE FLOYD'S KILLING HAS HAD AN IMPACT IN GREATER MINNESOTA TOO.

ST. PETER WILL HOLD CITYWIDE CONVERSATIONS ON RACE AND EQUITY IN THE COMING MONTHS.

"ONE GREATER MINNESOTA" REPORTER KAOMI LEE TRAVELED TO NICOLLET COUNTY TO FIND OUT HOW RURAL COMMUNITIES ARE QUICKLY CHANGING.

>> 17-YEAR-OLD RAHIMA OF St. PETER SPENT THE LAST YEAR LIKE MOST MINNESOTA TEENAGERS, ON HER LAPTOP, ZOOMING INTO CLASSES, TRYING TO MAINTAIN SOME NORMALCY IN LIFE.

>> I HAVEN'T DONE THE MATH HOMEWORK YET.

I'M GOING TO DO THAT TONIGHT, THOUGH, YEAH.

>> NOT ONLY DID THE PANDEMIC CHANGE EVERYTHING, SO DID THE KILLING OF GEORGE FLOYD.

>> I DO THINK THERE'S BEEN LIKE A CHANGE IN OUR COMMUNITY AND OUR SCHOOL.

THERE'S A LOT MORE KNOWLEDGE AND A LOT MORE AWARENESS THAT SPREAD AROUND LIKE THE TOPIC OF, YOU KNOW, LIKE SOCIAL JUSTICE, RACISM.

AND I FEEL LIKE THERE'S BEEN AN ACTIVE, LIKE OUR SCHOOL'S BEEN PUSHING EQUITY MORE.

>> FOR THIS U.S.-BORN SOMALI AMERICAN, St. PETER HAS ALWAYS BEEN HOME.

EVEN IF OTHERS FELT SHE DIDN'T BELONG THERE.

>> WHEN I WAS GROWING UP, THERE WASN'T A LARGE SOMALI POPULATION, THERE WAS ONLY A FEW OTHER KIDS IN THE WHOLE SCHOOL.

THERE WASN'T A LOT OF DIVERSITY AT ALL.

I FELT A LITTLE ALIENATED.

A LITTLE DIFFERENT, FOR SURE.

>> St. PETER PUBLIC SCHOOLS HAVE BEEN TRYING TO ADDRESS RACISM EVEN BEFORE GEORGE FLOYD'S KILLING.

A FEW YEARS AGO, A SOMALI MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENT SUSTAINED HEAD INJURIES FROM BEING PUSHED BY FELLOW STUDENTS.

IT PROMPTED THE DISTRICT TO ENACT A PROGRAM CALLED LIFE'S JOURNEY, WHERE THE ADMINISTRATION AND STAFF COULD REFLECT.

>> IT'S REALLY ABOUT UNDERSTANDING YOUR OWN PERSPECTIVE AND YOUR OWN HISTORY AND HOW THAT AFFECTS HOW YOU SEE THE REST OF THE WORLD.

AND IN BETTER UNDERSTANDING YOURSELF, YOU COME TO BETTER UNDERSTAND OTHERS.

>> HE WASN'T SUPERINTENDENT THEN, BUT HE SAYS THE FACT THAT IT HAPPENED IN THE MIDDLE SCHOOL WAS A WAKE-UP CALL.

>> IF WE DON'T HAVE THOSE CONVERSATIONS, IT DOESN'T CREATE THAT ATMOSPHERE WHERE STUDENTS FEEL SAFE AND WELCOME.

>> HE SAYS, EVERY DISTRICT, ESPECIALLY RURAL ONES, SHOULD BE HAVING THESE CONVERSATIONS.

STUDENTS OF COLOR NOW MAKE UP 30% OF THIS RURAL SCHOOL DISTRICT, FAR OUTPACING THE CITY ITSELF.

HERE IN St. PETER, THERE ARE ABOUT 500 SOMALI AND EAST AFRICAN RESIDENTS, AND OVER THE PAST YEAR SOME SAY THEY'VE SEEN SOME CHANGE.

>> HE'S A LOCAL COMMUNITY LEADER.

HE SAYS HE AND HIS OWN DAUGHTERS GENERALLY HAVE HAD FEW PROBLEMS.

>> THEY FEEL WELCOMED.

THEY WELCOME US.

BUT YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT'S IN THEIR HEART.

>> IN RECENT YEARS, THE CITY HAS INCLUDED SOMALIS IN THE ANNUAL FOURTH OF JULY PARADE.

BUT OF THE CITY'S 103 FULL-TIME EMPLOYEES ONLY TWO ARE PERCEIVED TO BE PEOPLE OF COLOR.

AND HE SAYS THERE ARE STILL MANY LOCAL BUSINESSES WHO WON'T HIRE SOMALIS.

WHAT REPORT CARD WOULD YOU GIVE TO THE CITY OF St. PETER?

>> I CAN GIVE THEM A "C," I CAN GIVE THEM, "C" PLUS.

I KNOW SOME PEOPLE MIGHT FEEL BAD ABOUT THAT.

I KNOW SOME PEOPLE, I WORK WITH THEM, WORK HARD, SO HARD EVERY DAY AND NIGHT, EVEN IF I HAD A SOMALI SHOW, I CALL THEM, TALK TO THEM.

BUT IT'S ONLY A FEW.

>> THE EXPERIENCE IS THAT THEIR RACE IS A COMPONENT IN THE WAY THAT THEY'RE BEING TREATED.

>> URI IS FOUNDER OF A LOCAL PROGRESSIVE POLITICS GROUP.

SHE SAID AFTER THE VIDEO OF THE KILLING OF GEORGE FLOYD WENT VIRAL, THE CALLS FOR CHANGE BROADENED.

>> WHAT'S DIFFERENT ABOUT NOW IS THAT IT'S NOT JUST SOMETHING THAT'S HAPPENING IN THE CITIES, ACROSS THE COUNTRY, IT'S RURAL COMMUNITIES THAT DON'T HAVE A LOT OF DIVERSITY.

>> HER GROUP PARTNERED WITH THE MINNESOTA ACLU AND OTHERS TO LOOK AT WHETHER THERE IS RACIAL BIAS IN AREA POLICING.

THEY RECEIVED REPORTS OF BOTH UNDERPOLICING AND OVERPOLICING.

ESPECIALLY FROM PEOPLE OF COLOR.

>> THESE ARE TOWNS THAT WERE, YOU KNOW, THE INDIGENOUS COMMUNITY NOTWITHSTANDING, THERE'S BEEN PREDOMINANTLY WHITE, RIGHT?

AND LAWS REFLECT THAT.

AND THERE'S A HESITATION TO ADDRESS ISSUES OF RACE.

>> THE GROUP ISSUED RECOMMENDATIONS IN A NEW REPORT THIS YEAR.

IT CALLED FOR ADDING PERCEIVED RACE IN POLICE STOPS AND A MORE INCLUSIVE AND TRANSPARENT CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION.

>> THE REACTION FROM THE CITY COUNCIL HAS BEEN LACKLUSTER TO THIS POINT.

THE REPORT WAS INTRODUCED.

SO ESSENTIALLY SAYING, THIS IS WHAT WE WANT TO SEE IN OUR COMMUNITY.

AND WE HAVE YET TO SEE THE CITY COUNCIL PICK THAT UP.

>> St. PETER IS PLANNING TO HOLD COMMUNITY CONVERSATIONS ON RACE AND EQUITY LATER THIS YEAR.

MEANWHILE, SOME YOUNG PEOPLE ARE CREATING THEIR OWN CHANGE.

BEFORE THE VERDICT IN THE DEREK CHAUVIN TRIAL, STUDENTS AT St. PETER HIGH SCHOOL STAGED A WALKOUT ON THEIR OWN.

>> NOT THE ENTIRE SCHOOL.

MAYBE HALF.

THERE'S A LOT MORE PEOPLE THAN I THOUGHT.

SO IT WAS VERY HEART WARMING TO SEE THAT WHOLE GROUP OF STUDENTS OUT THERE JUST, LIKE, SUPPORTING EVERYBODY.

EVEN THE TEACHERS STANDING OUT THERE, YOU COULD SEE THAT THEY SUPPORTED US.

>> THEY'RE PART OF A NEW CLUB ABOUT RACIAL AND SOCIAL JUSTICE AT THE HIGH SCHOOL.

>> EVERYTHING IS KIND OF LIKE DISCOURAGING, BUT, AT THE SAME TIME, THE RESULT OF THE TRIAL IS KIND OF LIKE HOPEFUL, IN A WAY.

>> RAHIMA IS ALSO IN THE CLUB.

SHE HOPES IT TAKES OFF SCHOOLWIDE AND CREATES REAL CHANGE.

EVEN THOUGH SHE KNOWS IT WILL BE AFTER SHE'S GONE.

>> A LOT OF TALK AND A LOT OF CONVERSATIONS AND A LOT OF, LIKE, OKAY, WELL, THIS IS A PROBLEM.

THIS IS A POTENTIAL SOLUTION AND WE WANT ACTION.

YOU KNOW, LET'S DO THIS.

♪♪♪ >> CATHY: THE CONVICTION OF DEREK CHAUVIN REPRESENTED A MILESTONE IN AMERICAN JUSTICE.

NOT ONLY IS IT RARE FOR A POLICE OFFICER TO BE FOUND GUILTY OF MURDER, BUT HIS TRIAL FEATURED NUMEROUS POLICE OFFICIALS AND OFFICERS TESTIFYING AGAINST HIM.

HERE TO TALK ABOUT WHAT THE CHAUVIN TRIAL MEANS FOR FUTURE CASES AGAINST POLICE OFFICERS, TWO LEGAL MINDS WHO HAVE BEEN GUESTS ON THIS PROGRAM BEFORE.

MARK OSLER IS A FORMER FEDERAL PROSECUTOR, NOW A PROFESSOR AT THE UNIVERSITY OF ST. THOMAS LAW SCHOOL.

SHANNON PRINCE IS AN ATTORNEY IN PRIVATE PRACTICE IN NEW YORK CITY.

AS CHANCE WOULD HAVE IT, THEY ARE EACH JOINING US FROM NEW YORK CITY BY ZOOM.

GOOD TO SEE YOU BOTH.

HOW ARE YOU?

>> DOING WELL.

THANK YOU.

>> Cathy: GOOD.

SHANNON, IT'S GREAT TO SEE YOU, TOO.

PROFESSOR OSLER, I'M GOING TO THROW THE FIRST QUESTION TO YOU.

DO YOU THINK THAT THE CHAUVIN VERDICT MIGHT MAKE IT EASIER FOR PROSECUTING POLICE OFFICERS, THE SO-CALLED BAD APPLES, IN THE FUTURE?

>> WE CERTAINLY HOPE SO.

IT SETS SOME PRECEDENCE THAT CAN MAKE IT EASIER HAD IN THE FUTURE -- THAT CAN MAKE IT EASIER IN THE FUTURE.

AS NEKIMA LEVY SAID AT THE TOP OF THE SHOW, THIS IS A FIRST.

AND IT DID SHOW A PATH TO GET THERE.

ONE OF THE KEY THINGS THAT SHE IDENTIFIED AND I THINK THAT REALLY NEEDS TO BE LOOKED AT CAREFULLY IS THAT BROAD IDEA OF SHIFTING RESPONSIBILITY FOR PROSECUTION TO SOMEONE INDEPENDENT OF THE LOCAL PROSECUTOR.

AS A FORMER PROSECUTOR MYSELF, I UNDERSTAND THE NATURE OF THE RELATIONSHIP WITH INVESTIGATORS AND THAT WOULD BE A HUGE STEP GOING FORWARD THAT WOULD MAKE MORE WORTHWHILE PROSECUTIONS HAPPEN.

>> Eric: COUNSELOR PRINCE, WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THAT?

>> WELL, I THINK THAT AS Mr. OSLER SAID, THIS IS A HOPEFUL PRECEDENT.

IT'S IMPORTANT TO KEEP IN MIND THAT MOST OFFICER-INVOLVED DEATHS ARE NOT LIKE THIS ONE.

USUALLY THEY DON'T TAKE PLACE IN FRONT OF A CROWD OF WITNESSES, IN BROAD DAYLIGHT, WHILE BEING FILMED WITH A CAMERA PHONE.

USUALLY THEY INVOLVE AN OFFICER WHO CLAIMS HE OR SHE HAD TO MAKE A SPLIT-SECOND DECISION ON WHETHER OR NOT TO SHOOT.

IT DOESN'T INVOLVE THE STRANGULATION THAT TAKES PLACE OVER THE COURSE OF TEN MINUTES.

SO THE MORE TYPICAL CASES THAT DON'T HAVE THE ATTORNEY GENERAL ON THE PROSECUTION TEAM, ALONG WITH A DREAM TEAM OF SPECIAL PROSECUTORS FROM PRIVATE PRACTICE, CAN ALSO ACHIEVE SIMILAR RESULTS.

>> Eric: SAY, PROFESSOR, THE COPS TESTIFYING AGAINST ONE OF THEIR OWN.

IS THAT PRECEDENT SETTING AND SOMETHING THAT MIGHT BE REPLICATED AROUND THE COUNTRY?

HOW DOES THAT FIT INTO THE DYNAMIC HERE?

>> IT MADE A BIG DIFFERENCE.

THE BREAKDOWN A LITTLE BIT OF THE BLUE WALL OF SILENCE CAME DOWN.

BUT ONLY A LITTLE BIT.

AND WE HAD, AS MISS PRINCE JUST SAID, WE HAD A UNIQUE SITUATION HERE.

WE HAD THE POLICE CHIEF WHO WAS WILLING TO TESTIFY, WHOSE TESTIMONY WAS REALLY COMPELLING.

WE ALSO HAD OTHER OFFICERS AND INVESTIGATORS AND LIEUTENANTS WHO TESTIFIED.

NOW, WILL THAT BE SOMETHING THAT'S EASILY REPLICATED IN OTHER KINDS OF CASES?

WE'LL SEE.

IF YOU THINK BACK TO THE MOHAMED NOOR CASE, YOU KNOW, THE FRUSTRATION WITH THE FAILURE OF OFFICERS TO GIVE INFORMATION AT THE OUTSET WAS MUCH MORE TYPICAL OF WHAT WE SEE.

>> Cathy: COUNSELOR PRINCE, DO YOU THINK THAT THE THIN BLUE LINE IS COLLAPSING IN ON ITSELF A LITTLE BIT?

>> I THINK SO.

NOT ONLY AS Mr. OSLER SAID, DID WE SEE POLICE OFFICERS WILLING TO TESTIFY AGAINST EACH OTHER, WE SEE POLICE OFFICERS TRYING TO MAKE MEANINGFUL CHANGE.

FOR EXAMPLE, POLICE CHIEF ARRADONDO HAS SUGGESTED THAT DISCOURAGING ENFORCEMENT OF LOW-LEVEL TRAFFIC VIOLATIONS, THAT'S A REFORM THAT'S GROUNDED IN DATA.

WE KNOW THAT BLACK PEOPLE ARE DISPROPORTIONATELY LIKELY TO BE PULLED OVER BY THE POLICE.

WE KNOW THAT THEY'RE ACTUALLY LESS LIKELY TO BE DISPROPORTIONATELY PULLED OVER AT NIGHT WHEN THE POLICE HAVE A HARDER TIME TELLING WHO'S BLACK AND WHO'S WHITE.

AND WE KNOW THAT THIS HAPPENED EVEN THOUGH BLACK PEOPLE ARE LESS LIKELY THAN WHITE PEOPLE TO HAVE CONTRABAND IN THEIR CARS.

CHIEF ARRADONDO DISCOURAGING THAT KIND OF TRAFFIC ENFOURS FORCEMENT, WE CAN SEE THAT THE BLUE WALL IS CHANGING IN A WAY WHERE POLICE OFFICERS THEMSELVES ARE WILLING TO BE ENGINES OF REFORM.

>> Eric: PROFESSOR, ONE STICKING POINT IN THE LEGISLATIVE NEGOTIATIONS OVER POLICE REFORM IS QUALIFIED IMMUNITY.

AND AS I UNDERSTAND IT, OFFICERS ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR SETTLEMENT PAYMENTS OR DAMAGES THAN A -- THAT A JURY MIGHT AWARD.

IS THAT IN LAW SOMEWHERE?

IS THAT BASED ON COURT DECISIONS?

WHERE DOES THAT -- DID THAT COME FROM?

>> IT DEPENDS ON THE JURISDICTION.

IN SOME PLACES IT'S STATUTORY, IN OTHER PLACES IT'S ESTABLISHED BY THE COURTS.

BUT WE HAVE SOMETHING THAT APPLIES TO CIVIL LAW, BUT CIVIL LAW IS IMPORTANT, BECAUSE TORTS, AND THAT'S A FORM OF TORTS, IS WHAT DETERS PEOPLE FROM TAKING ACTIONS THAT THEY'LL BE FINANCIALLY LIABLE FOR.

SO THAT CHALLENGE TO QUALIFIED IMMUNITY IS ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS WE'VE SEEN COME UP IN THE WAKE OF GEORGE FLOYD'S DEATH.

>> Eric: THE POLICE OFFICERS SAY THAT WOULD JUST DEVASTATE THEM FINANCIALLY IF THEY WERE IN THAT SITUATION.

IS THAT A DECENT DEFENSE OF THE PRACTICE?

>> WELL, WE CAN THINK OF MEDICAL MALPRACTICE, WE HOLD FOR A CERTAIN EXTENT DOCTORS RESPONSIBLE FOR MEDICAL MALPRACTICE AND WE SAY THAT WE EXPECT YOU TO PRACTICE AT A CERTAIN LEVEL BECAUSE YOU HOLD PEOPLE'S LIVES IN YOUR HANDS.

SOME PEOPLE COULD ARGUE THAT IT'S REASONABLE TO HOLD POLICE TO THE SAME STANDARD, TO SAY THAT BECAUSE THEY HOLD PEOPLE'S LIVES IN THEIR HANDS, THEY ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR BEARING THAT RISK.

>> Cathy: CAN YOU HELP US OUT, PROFESSOR, I'LL BEGIN WITH YOU, AND THEN Ms.

PRINCE, CAN WE TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE FEDERAL CHARGES THAT HAVE BEEN FILED AND HOW THEY INTERSECT WITH THE STATE CHARGES?

AND KIND OF PARSE THAT FOR US, PLEASE.

>> YEAH.

I MEAN, FIRST OF ALL, THERE'S SOMETHING REALLY UNUSUAL WITH THE FEDERAL CHARGE THAT WE HAVE TO RECOGNIZE, THAT IS -- WHICH IS THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE HAS DECIDED TO INDICT DEREK CHAUVIN WHEN HE'S BEEN CONVICTED IN STATE COURT.

AND WE DON'T SEE THAT VERY OFTEN.

THE FEDERAL CHARGES ARE GOING TO INTERPLAY WITH THE STATE CHARGES.

A LOT OF WHAT'S GOING ON WITH THAT IS IN THE BACKGROUND.

WE DON'T SEE IT BECAUSE IT'S GOING TO INVOLVE NEGOTIATIONS ON POLICE BETWEEN THE DEFENSE ATTORNEYS AND THE FEDERAL PROSECUTORS AND THE STATE PROSECUTORS.

AND I'M SURE THAT THEY ARE ENVISIONING THE POSSIBILITY AT SOME POINT OF PLEA AGREEMENT THAT IS COULD WRAP UP THE STATE CHARGES AND THE FEDERAL CHARGES.

>> Eric: IS THERE -- WOULD ANY FEDERAL CHARGES BE CONCURRENT OR CONSECUTIVE SENTENCES FOR FORMER OFFICER CHAUVIN?

>> Cathy: Ms.

PRINCE.

>> WELL, TO THE EXTENT THAT THE SENTENCES INVOLVE THE SOLO ACT, IT WOULD BE SERVED CONCURRENTLY.

BUT Mr. CHAUVIN ALSO FACES CHARGES RELATED TO A 2017 INCIDENT IN WHICH HE BEAT A 14-YEAR-OLD IN THE HEAD WITH A FLASHLIGHT AND THEN KNELT ON THAT 14-YEAR-OLD'S NECK AND BACK FOR SEVERAL MINUTES.

THOSE CHARGES, -- THE SENTENCE FOR THOSE CHARGES COULD BE SERVED CONSECUTIVELY TO THE GEORGE FLOYD-RELATED CHARGES.

>> Eric: PROFESSOR, TALKING ABOUT THE PATTERNS AND PRACTICES INVESTIGATION FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, THAT HAS RESULTED IN CONSENT DECREES IN THE PAST, AND I THINK THE CHANGE THAT THEY'VE CAUSED HAS BEEN MINIMAL.

CAN YOU BRING US UP TO DATE ON HOW THAT MIGHT UNFOLD?

>> YEAH.

AND IT'S GOING TO BE A SITUATION WHERE THE INFORMATION THAT COMES FORWARD COULD MAKE SIGNIFICANT CHANGES.

I MEAN, IF YOU LOOK AT FERGUSON, MISSOURI, THE PRACTICES, INVESTIGATION THERE, REALLY DID UNCOVER SOME HORRIBLE THINGS ABOUT THE WAY THE POLICE DEPARTMENT WAS RAISING MONEY, BASICALLY, ON THE BACKS OF THE BLACK RESIDENTS.

AND, YOU KNOW, IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE WHAT IS BROUGHT TO THE SURFACE HERE.

NOW THAT DOES PLAY INTO SOME OF THE CRIMINAL CHARGES MISS PRINCE JUST MENTIONED, THE NEW CRIMINAL CHARGE AGAINST DEREK CHAUVIN.

AND ONE OF THE QUESTIONS THAT RAISES THAT INTERSECTS WITH PATTERNS AND PRACTICES, HERE YOU HAVE SOMEONE WHO DID THIS PREVIOUS ACT IN 2017, AND STILL WAS ON THE FORCE AND WAS A TRAINING OFFICER.

>> Cathy: YOU KNOW, BEFORE WE GO, I WANT TO ASK Ms.

PRINCE THIS QUESTION.

YOU KNOW, WHEN IT COMES TO THE PATTERNS AND PRACTICES FEDERAL PROBE IN MINNEAPOLIS, SOME FOLKS THINK IT SHOULD BE EXPANDED TO SOME SUBURBAN DEPARTMENTS.

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THAT?

>> I AGREE.

WE SEE, FOR EXAMPLE, IN BROOKLYN CENTER, WE JUST HAD THE TRAGIC KILLING OF DAUNTE WRIGHT, AND WE NEED TO BE LOOKING AT BHAPS NOT JUST IN MAJOR -- WHAT HAPPENS NOT JUST IN MAJOR CITIES LIKE MINNEAPOLIS BUT ALSO IN RURAL COMMUNITIES BECAUSE WE KNOW JUST AS THAT PRETEXTUAL STOP TO WHICH BLACK PEOPLE ARE DISPROPORTIONATELY SUBJECT OCCURS IN PLACES LIKE BROOKLYN CENTER, THAT CAN BE A HARBINGER OF PATTERNS AND PRACTICES OF DISCRIMINATION THAT NEED OVERSIGHT.

>> Cathy: MARK OSLER AND SHANNON PRINCE, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING WITH US.

>> MY PLEASURE.

>> CATHY: THANKS FOR JOINING US FOR THIS SPECIAL EDITION OF "ALMANAC."

WE'LL BE BACK NEXT WEEK WITH A REGULAR EDITION OF OUR SHOW.

IN THE MEANTIME, YOU HAVE ONE FINAL CHANCE TO FILL OUT OUR ANNUAL "ALMANAC" SURVEY.

IT'S A GREAT WAY TO GIVE US FEEDBACK ON OUR WORK.

YOU CAN FIND THE SURVEY ONLINE BY GOING TO TPT.ORG/SURVEYS.

THANKS FOR WATCHING.

WE'LL SEE NEXT TIME.

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>> "ALMANAC" IS A PRODUCTION OF TWIN CITIES PBS FOR THE STATIONS OF MINNESOTA PUBLIC TELEVISION ASSOCIATION.