CC MINUTES 08232016 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

City Council Regular Meeting Minutes August 23, 2016 Page 8 1 A Roseville resident, stated he is a recent immigrant, is a concerned citizen, and father of two bi- 2 racial kids. He never had to learn to deal with racism because where he grew up all were black. 3 He stated his experience here has been a challenge when it comes to racism as people are very 4 defensive when talking about racism. After Mr. Castille was killed, he stated he had to speak to 5 his children and explain how they may be treated by the system. He believed that honest 6 discussion is needed with face -to -face truth telling, that racism is reality, and to talk to neighbors 7 of color as life concerns are the same for all. He stated he is an infectious diseases doctor and 8 was pulled over a couple of months ago but when the police found out what he did for a job, the 9 whole conversation changed. He stated the Council needs to take action using their power. 10 11 An unidentified woman explained why she is starting with a book. The book A Good Time for 12 the Truth was summarized by. She had asked the Council to read this book and attend 13 discussions that three of the Councilmembers have attended. She quoted from the letter written 14 by Mayor Faust and asked how the goal could be reached if he does not participate in 15 discussions. She read sections from the book and asked the Mayor to stand behind the words 16 written in a public letter and join in the discussions. 17 18 Ms. Julie Pierce, New Brighton, stated her children attend school in St. Anthony and she runs a 19 non -profit in St. Anthony. She appreciates the superintendent of schools and school leadership 20 who are committed to racial equity and those Councilmembers who attended discussions. She is 21 pro -peace and pro - police and believes in the Black Lives Matter movement. Ms. Pierce stated St. 22 Anthony was always a small and caring community before Officer Yanez shot and killed Mr. 23 Castille and the St. Anthony police have been racial profiling for years. She felt the Village was 24 more divided along racial lines and has learned the St. Anthony police have forgotten their 25 humanity and passion. She asked Mayor Faust for his support in bridging the racial divide and 26 that he publicly acknowledge there are problems with the Police Department. Ms. Pierce asked 27 that a Civic Task Force be put together to review policing practices, feeling there is a chance to 28 get it right and make changes that affect every Villager. She stated there is much hatred and 29 ignorance expressed on the Village People facebook page. She attended the protest after Office 30 Yanez was re- instated and feels there were some dangerous exceptions of drivers speeding past 31 trying to intimidate the protesters. Ms. Pierce was accused of bringing in dangerous people to the 32 community. She gave an example of an encounter she had at Cub after the protest. Ms. Pierce 33 fears if Mayor Faust's silence continues the divide will become greater and asked that Mayor 34 Faust allow them to educate him. She stated that Mayor Faust may need to consider he is not the 35 leader to lead this charge. 36 37 Minneapolis resident, Anthony, told a story of white privilege. She stated the Council needs to 38 know what that means and how to identify it. She went 25 years without ever being pulled over 39 until a couple of weeks ago. She was at the Governor's Mansion when 69 protesters were 40 arrested. A police car pulled them over because they were taking pictures of the police staging 41 for another raid. The officers were surprised when they saw her driving four black men. Anthony 42 stated she was told she had run a stop sign but there were no stop signs along that portion of the 43 ride. She felt police lie all of the time. She stated the officers searched two of the black men in 44 the car, found nothing, and made up a lie in pulling them over. Anthony's friends were happy she 45 was with them because if she had not been, the passengers would have gone to jail. She felt 46 white privilege was real and hurts everyone. 47