Minneapolis

Jill Stein In Minneapolis Demands Real Solutions For Black Communities -Full Event

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• published: 17 Aug 2016
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Press release from Neighborhoods Organizing for Change: A predominantly Black audience of over 200 community members packed the historic Capri theater in north Minneapolis for a forum on Black America with Green Party presidential nominee Jill Stein tonight, demanding solutions to the pressing issues facing Black communities. Tonight’s forum on Black America with Dr. Stein followed a similar community conversation Neighborhoods Organizing for Change hosted with Senator Bernie Sanders in February. The forum was a community conversation between Dr. Stein, NOC executive director Anthony Newby, a panel of six Black community members, and questions from the audience. The crowd broke into cheers and applause repeatedly as Jill Stein explained her vision for reparations, independent political power outside the two-party system, and dismantling the existing policing system. “The current model of policing, broken windows policing, is a totally failed model. It doesn’t work and it should be dismantled. We need to have communities control their police, rather than having police control their communities,” said Jill Stein. “I am just beginning to learn about alternative models, and I appreciate the work NOC has done to lift up alternative models. The system we have now is a complete failure, and we need a system that supports the community, and does not harass and destroy the community.” Members of the panel and audience asked Stein questions about how to make sure her platform for jobs for all, a $15 minimum wage, environmental justice, and education would specifically benefit Black communities. Panelists expressed appreciation for the conversation while raising questions about the specificity of her platform and ability to deliver. “I think we should make these sorts of forums a regular part of the political process, where we can connect with candidates in a more intimate way — sitting at tables with them, instead of them standing at a podium giving a stump speech -- where we can more organically have a conversation. Which is what candidates don’t do with my community: have a conversation,” said Felicia Perry, a small business owner who asked a question about incinerators in communities of color. “However, I would have liked more details as to what these broader ideas really look like and how they would actually operate, and how she would actually be able to support them and make them happen from the executive level. But I’m sincerely grateful to her for coming here and having a conversation with us.” The non-partisan forum was hosted by Neighborhoods Organizing for Change, which has yet to endorse a presidential candidate. “Dr. Stein articulated a vision for reparations and independent political power that clearly resonated with the room,” said NOC executive director Anthony Newby. “The question is, can the Green Party or other independent structures convert this type of energy into actual political power and structural influence?” by Becky Dernbach