Dear John,

The News Digest is back. I had a great break slowing down and visiting family. It was heartbreaking to come back and see the news of George Floyd Square and the murder of Winston Smith by undercover, unidentified law enforcement. Heartbreaking isn’t even the right word to describe the feeling. It’s rage.

Darnella Frazier, the young woman who filmed George Floyd’s murder, received a Pulitzer prize today for capturing what happened for the world to see. We don’t know what happened to Winston Smith, a father and comedian. We know law enforcement has been reporting lies, changing their story, and lying about body camera rules under the Dept. of Justice. We know Winston Smith’s life matters, and we cannot stop fighting to end the cycle of state-sanctioned police violence not just by MPD, but everywhere.

Here’s what we’re reading, watching, and listening to this week:
 

1. Winston Smith

Authorities lied about DOJ body camera rules. Lawyers for the person with Winston Smith say he didn’t have a gun, contrary to law enforcement reports. Read more.

2. George Floyd Square

Sahan Journal does an excellent job making meaning of GFS and the Mayor’s attempts to clear it. Read more.

3. Future of Public Safety

Last week, Rep. Ilhan Omar, Minneapolis City Council Member Phillipe Cunningham, Brooklyn Center Mayor Mike Elliot, Minneapolis City Council President Lisa Bender, and a local elected official from Syracuse, NY discussed the future of public safety. These are the ideas and types of leaders we need to chart change with us. Watch and bookmark this hour-long discussion to learn more.

4. UnitedHealth Group

For-profit health insurance companies are legally accountable to their stock market shareholders — not patients. The world’s largest, UnitedHealth Group, announced this week they’re preparing to stop paying for non-emergency care provided in emergency rooms. Actions like this by HMOs are one of the many reasons why we need #MedicareforAll. Read more in the Star Tribune. Are you dealing with bad employer-based insurance? Let me know what’s going on with you – reply to this email.

5. #ChangeTheRules

Big Pharma is spending tens of thousands of dollars on ads to stop Minnesota from passing a Prescription Drug Affordability Board. Make no mistake. Our elected leaders have the power and authority to stop Big Pharma from killing people with out-of-control drug costs. Read more in this Star Tribune commentary by chief author and doctor Rep. Kelly Morrison.

6. Stop Line 3

Thousands of Minnesotans, including TakeAction members, joined the Indigenous-led Treaty People Gathering in Northern Minnesota last week to #StopLine3. Protestors blocked the entrance to the site overnight. Nearly 200 were arrested. Read what’s happening in the movement to Stop Line 3.

7. Pipelines

In huge news, developers announced they are pulling out of the Keystone XL pipeline this week. Read more about this huge victory. Then, watch Jane Fonda and Tara Houska explain why we need to #StopLine3 before construction starts on July 1.

8. Simone Biles

The gymnast won her 7^th national title. Check out this jaw-dropping floor clip or this 13-minute video.

9. Happiness

Trying new things can make us happier. I loved this piece in The Atlantic.

10. Eclipse

Incredible pictures of this week’s ring of fire solar eclipse. See them here.

That’s a wrap. Have a great weekend. Drink water.
- Kenza Hadj-Moussa