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Inside this Edition... Read about Nelson Mandela’s former prison guard’s new book on page 6.
Celebrating 90 years of Black journalistic excellence.
February 6 - 12, 2025
Vol. 91
No. 28
Phone: 612-827-4021 www.spokesman-recorder.com
MSR CELEBRATES
BLACK HISTORY MONTH Target boycott set to begin with Black History Month Corporation recently rescinded its DEI policies
gathering was to inform Target of the community’s demands in support of DEI. These decoalition of con- mands include reversing the cerned multiracial recent decision, acknowledgcitizens convened ing the mistake, and commitoutside Target ting to improved practices headquarters on Thursday moving forward. morning Jan. 30 to voice their “Target has received imdisapproval of the company’s mense support from the Minrecent abandonment of its di- nesota community and beversity, equity and inclusion yond, as many believed the (DEI) initiatives. These policies corporation shared their valincluded a significant commit- ues,” said Levy Armstrong. “For ment to Black entrepreneurs, years, they did. To see them which aimed to create shelf yield so quickly to the whims space for 500 new products by of the Trump administration is Black business owners by the not just disheartening, it’s proend of 2025. To date, Target foundly disappointing.” has not addressed inquiries reThe protest was joined by Jaylani Hussein, executive digarding this commitment. Civil rights attorney and ac- rector of the Minnesota chaptivist Nekima Levy Armstrong ter of the Council on Islamicstated that the purpose of the American Relations; Monique
By Al Brown Contributing Writer
Cullars-Doty from Black Lives Matter; and Sheletta Brundidge of Sheletta Makes Me Laugh. Levy Armstrong emphasized that this situation has prompted many to reconsider their patronage of Target. “I’m sure many Target employees, especially African Americans, are concerned about what this decision means for them and their future with the company. Target’s cessation of diversity tracking and participation in related initiatives is striking. In a pivotal moment for social justice, corporations like Target should be at the forefront. “This is the very place where George Floyd was murdered in 2020, and Target was among the first to prioritize diversity ■ See BOYCOTT on page 5
Chris Juhn/MSR
Mpls votes for repeal of Alien Enemies Act City employees, including police, will not assist in immigration enforcement By Clint Combs Contributor Writer
Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar says President Donald Trump is causing a Constitutional crisis at a Washington, D.C. news conference, on Feb 3. C-SPAN
inneapolis became the first U.S. city to pass a resolution supporting the repeal of the Alien Enemies Act, a law last used during World War II to detain Japanese, German and Italian Americans without due process. President Trump had pledged to revive the 200-year-old law as part of his campaign to carry out the largest deportation in U.S. history. At his inauguration, Trump said, “By invoking the Alien Enemies Act of 1798, I will direct our government to use the full power of federal and state law enforcement to eliminate all foreign gangs and criminal networks.” Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey expressed strong opposition to the potential revival of the law. “It allows for people to
MSR’s CEO honored for 50+ years in news
By Jasmine McBride Associate Editor
racey Williams-Dillard was recently recognized with six others by the Minnesota Newspaper Association (MNA) Half Century Club. The award honored seven individuals who have worked in the newspaper industry for 50 years or more. Williams-Dillard, who has been a part of the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder since she was eight years old, stated on the podium — award in hand — how proud she is to see her family legacy grow beyond blood. “There were times at events like these, it’d be just me and maybe one or two other people,” she said, turning to her Tracey Williams-Dillard receives Half a Century Club MNA ■ See TRACEY on page 5 award. Jasmine McBride / MSR
be detained and deported not cartels in Mexico and Latin Omar, who has reintroduced based on any criminal activity, America as terrorist organi- the law that would repeal the but based on where they come zations, and then using that AEA. “The context in which from,” said Frey. “That runs designation to invoke the law. Trump and Miller are raising against every value that we Katherine Yon Ebright, counsel the Alien Enemies Act is in hold in Minneapolis. It is an act at the Brennan Center’s Liberty what they say are their plans that should have long ago been and National Security Program, to target cartels and transnarepealed in full, and I’m glad said, “Those cartels and gangs tional criminal gangs. that she’s [Rep. Ilhan Omar] do not have political motiva“It is important,” said Omar, “to bringing it forward now so that tions. They are business enti- recognize that this will not hapit is ultimately eliminated.” ties, obviously illicit business pen because of anything they Aisha Chughtai, city coun- entities, and so, transnational have done. It will happen becil VP from Ward 10, shared criminal organizations.” cause of where they were born. how personal these policies Our country is far too great to are. “The impact of this adminfall prey to Donald Trump’s anti“Our country is far too immigrant agenda, and we need istration is not abstract to me. great to fall prey to to do everything possible to reIt feels it is deeply personal,” Donald Trump’s said Chughtai. “I think that to store basic humanity to our imanti-immigrant agenda, be a person with any marginalmigration system.” and we need to do everything possible In response to the potential ized identity — but in particuto restore basic huimplications of such actions, lar to be an immigrant, a child manity to our Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey of immigrants, a refugee in this immigration system.” emphasized the city’s stance on country right now — is a really, protecting immigrant commureally scary experience. It is a really uncertain experience.” “Stephen Miller and Donald nities: “We do not ask a quesLegal experts suggest Trump Trump are preparing to use this tion with regard to immigration is pursuing a two-pronged ap- law for their plan of mass de- status... Our police officers will proach: first designating drug portation,” warned Rep. Ilhan ■ See NEIGHBORS on page 5
Mpls affordable housing creation shows significant gains zoning is paying off year after year. For the past 14 years, the city has surpassed $1 billion in inneapolis’ bold move construction value, with half of to end the racist pol- these projects dedicated to aficy of single-family fordable housing. Meanwhile,
By Clint Combs Contributing Writer
one of the largest commercial projects is the expansion of Abbott Northwestern Hospital’s Surgical and Critical Care Pavilion, a key development in ■ See CONSTRUCTION on page 5
Roberto Galan