COMMENTARY: Five-Year Reflection From House POCI Caucus

As part of our commemoration of the five-year anniversary of George Floyd’s death at the knee of Minneapolis police, we are sharing in entirety the collective voices of some of the community members who are attempting to improve the treatment of Black and brown Minnesotans. This commentary was shared by the House Legislative People of Color and Indigenous (POCI) Caucus.

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On the 5-year anniversary of George Floyd’s murder, Minnesota stands at a crossroads of reflection and progress. That tragic day in May 2020 became a flashpoint that awakened our nation to longstanding injustices and sparked a reckoning that continues to reverberate across our state and country.

After buildings burned and the smoke cleared, it was everyday Minnesotans who came together to rebuild. Community-led violence prevention coalitions protected businesses and homes. Neighbors linked arms to watch over their neighborhoods. Families risked their safety and livelihoods to speak up against injustice. When cities across Minnesota collectively channeled their voices for change, we awakened the nation to the demand for justice.

As  leaders in our respective communities in 2020, some of us were on the frontlines as organizers and advocates working directly with those impacted by the murder. Others were serving their first term as legislators suddenly tasked with making difficult decisions while confronting gaps within our state systems that cause cycles of trauma and oppression that effectively keep our most vulnerable communities under peril.

In 2021, we led DFLers in our commitment to build on our work in 2020 by continuing to emphasize community-centered public safety and police accountability, as well as other critical criminal justice reforms to address the disproportionate harm broken systems have on BIPOC Minnesotans. Lawmakers embarked upon this work in the midst of the very public trial of Derek Chauvin, and the killings of Daunte Wright and Winston Smith. The package of reforms didn’t go nearly as far as House DFLers wanted due to Senate Republicans digging in their heels, but it made meaningful progress to improve police accountability and help prevent harm to BIPOC communities. Despite the GOP’s resistance, were able to make advancements on a number of bills like:

• Regulations on the use of no-knock warrants
• $800,000 of Community Violence Prevention grants for outreach programs, community healing and wellness, and to address mental health needs
• Expansion of data included in the POST Board Police Misconduct Database
• Matthew’s Law, requiring a comprehensive model policy addressing the use of confidential informants
• Travis’s Law, requiring law enforcement agencies to include a referral to mental health crisis teams when one is available
• The Hardel Sherell Act aimed at improving safety in jails, including updates to inspections and licensing, modifications to the use of force, and review teams if an individual dies while incarcerated
• Establishment of a State Correctional Facilities Security Audit Group
• Strengthening crime victim notification for events like expungements and civil commitments
• Expansion of an Alternatives to Incarceration pilot program
• Establishing “sign and release” warrant proceedings for individuals who don’t pose a threat to public safety or have a high risk of non-appearance for court hearings
• A series of juvenile justice reforms, including modifications to detention and court proceedings, extended reporting of data for juveniles, and establishment of a Juvenile Justice Unit within the Department of Public Safety
• Civil asset forfeiture reform
• Giving courts the discretion to reduce or waive surcharges for traffic tickets based on an individual’s ability to pay
• Law enforcement training on dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease
• DWI license reinstatement reform, eliminating use of “whiskey plates” and increasing participation in ignition interlock device programs.

Then during the 2023-2024 ‘Minnesota Miracle,’ we seized the opportunity to pass meaningful legislation that honors not only George Floyd’s legacy but also generations of marginalized and historically underrepresented communities. These achievements include:

• Limiting no-knock warrants to protect the dignity and safety of all Minnesotans
• Requiring independent investigations for officer-involved deaths
• Implementing traffic stop reform that requires officers to state the reason for stops before questioning
• Securing funding for law enforcement focused on investigations and violent crime reduction
• Making crucial community investments in violence prevention initiatives
• Adding 200 more public defenders to ensure fair representation
• Increasing the Civil Legal Services budget by 85%
• Strengthening tenant protections and reforming the eviction process
• Eliminating prison gerrymandering to ensure fair political representation

These victories represent significant steps toward a more just Minnesota. Even with this, our work is far from complete. The POCI Caucus remains committed to addressing the root causes of inequity across our state, while protecting hard fought for reforms since 2021. Five years after George Floyd’s murder, we honor his memory not just through remembrance but through action. We recognize that true transformation requires both policy change and cultural shift — a willingness to confront uncomfortable truths about our systems and institutions.

Our caucus of 19 elected officials of color and indigenous heritage is united by an unwavering commitment to advance racial equity and close disparities that have persisted for generations. We approach our legislative work with the fundamental belief that Minnesota can thrive when every resident has equitable access to opportunity, justice, and representation.

The path forward has not been easy. For a time, we had some partnership from Washington particularly with a federal consent decree, but with Trump’s return, we face increased hate, division, and bigoted rhetoric that continue to challenge how we connect with our neighbors. His administration’s walking away from the Minneapolis consent decree, cuts to life-saving programs like Medicaid, and disappearing immigrants and dissidents further complicate our work. Despite these challenges, we remained steadfast in our resolve to transform pain into progress.

As we move forward, we invite all Minnesotans to join us in this ongoing journey toward justice and equity. The road ahead may be challenging, but together, we can build a state where everyone belongs, everyone thrives, and everyone’s humanity is recognized and respected.

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The House POCI Caucus is comprised of; Rep. Cedrick Frazier (Co-Chair) (DFL-New Hope 43A), Rep. Liish Kozlowski (Co-Chair) (DFL-Duluth 08B), Rep. María Isa Pérez-Vega (Vice Chair) (DFL-St. Paul 65B), Rep. Aisha Gomez (DFL-Minneapolis 62A), Rep. Anquam Mahamoud (DFL-Minneapolis 62B), Rep. Athena Hollins (DFL-St. Paul 66B), Rep. Brion Curran (DFL-White Bear Lake 36B), Rep. Esther Agbaje (DFL-Minneapolis 59B), Rep. Ethan Cha (DFL-Woodbury 47B), Rep. Fue Lee (DFL-Minneapolis 59A), Rep. Huldah Hiltsley-(DFL- Osseo 38A), Rep. Jay Xiong (DFL-St. Paul 67B), Rep. Kaohly Vang Her (DFL-St. Paul64A), Rep. Liz Lee (DFL-St. Paul 67A), Rep. Mary Frances Clardy (DFL-Inver Grove Heights 53A), Rep. Mohamud Noor (DFL-Minneapolis 60B), Rep. Samakab Hussein (DFL-St. Paul 65A), Rep. Samantha Sencer-Mura (DFL-Minneapolis 63A), Rep. Samantha Vang (DFL-Brooklyn Center 38B).

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