Dear John,

I hope your weekend is off to a good start. This is a packed News Digest covering everything from the Minnesota Human Rights investigation into MPD to May Day.

Let me know how you’re doing and what you’re reading.

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

1. MPD Investigation (Reports)

This is one of the few times I will ever recommend you dig into a state report (cw: police violence). Read the Department of Human Rights report with findings from their investigation into MPD and a timeline of previous reports including the MPD150 report. Unlike other reports, the state’s findings of human rights violations means a consent decree will be developed between the City of Minneapolis and the state.

2. MPD Investigation (Columns)

Over 68,000 Minneapolis residents voted for a new path forward on public safety before the Minnesota Department of Human Rights report came out exposing (again) the depths of racism, misogyny, and corruption of MPD and the ongoing failure of elected officials to act.

• Despite the inaccurate headline, this is a good column for readers who are still or recently learning about the magnitude of MPD’s failure: read “We knew a lot about Minneapolis police, but we did nothing” in the Minnesota Reformer.
• Read Jessie Lee-Bauder’s political education piece on the MPD investigation and how we move from outrage to action.

3. Consent Decree

At a minimum, a consent decree between the City of Minneapolis and state will provide more public oversight over MPD. But that’s a minimum and we deserve more. This is an older but insightful piece called My Year as a New Orleans Consent Decree Insider.

4. Mallory McMorrow

“Hate wins when people like me stand by and let it happen.” Millions of people watched Michigan state Senator Mallory McMorrow’s incredible floor speech. Watch and read the viral speech and read this piece in the New York Times, Smeared as a Groomer, a Michigan Democrat Goes on Offense.

5. Abortion Laws

This is an important read about states rushing to change abortion laws in anticipation of the U.S. Supreme Court overturning Roe vs. Wade.

6. May Day

“Have a wonderful time celebrating this weekend. Read Workers of the World Unite! May Day Celebrates Working-Class Solidarity. Enjoy this piece by my colleague Trisha celebrating local labor history.

7. Starbucks

The labor movement is growing. Congratulations to local Starbucks workers who won their union! The Starbucks on Snelling Ave. in St. Paul is the first to unionize in Minnesota.

8. Erin Maye Quade

In total awe of this woman’s strength and grace. ICYMI: the viral story of Erin Maye Quade going into labor while delivering a speech at her convention. Erin and new baby Hattie are doing well. And yes – if it were any other medical emergency the convention would have stopped.

9. Collard Greens

Seed savers have a plan to bring back rare varieties of collard greens. Check out this NPR piece on the Heirloom Collard Project.

10. Eclipse

 It’s eclipse season! Over 31 million people in the United States will be able to see Saturday’s solar eclipse.

That’s a wrap. Have a great weekend!

- Kenza Hadj-Moussa