PRST STD U.S.POSTAGE PAID TWIN CITIES MN PERMIT NO. 6391
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The Minnesota Paradox economic disparities on page 2.
Celebrating 90 years of Black journalistic excellence.
December 5 - 11, 2024
Vol. 91
No. 19
Phone: 612-827-4021 www.spokesman-recorder.com
Audit Committee unanimously approves review in Moturi shooting
By Cynthia Moothart Managing Editor
Payne. “We can ask that they do the work, but it’s all within the purview of the City Auditor.” The Council asked for a he Minneapolis Audit Committee June 13, 2025, completion gave unanimous ap- date in the investigation. The decision follows reproval on Dec. 2 for the Office of City Auditor to newed calls by a coalition of update its plan for the year to police accountability orgainclude a review nizations deof city actions manding an “I’m not surprised in the shooting independent that the city took of Davis Moinvest igat ion its time to determine into the shootturi. The matter next steps, but they was referred to ing of Moturi need to address the the division by by neighbor situation with a the Minneapolis and white sugreater sense of City Council on premacist John urgency. We’re Oct. 31, a necSawchak. In a still awaiting statement preessary first step accountability.” to opening an sented to the investigation. Minneapolis Not yet known is who will City Council on Nov. 12, the lead the review, its scope, or groups again called for Police how long it could take. Chief Brian O’Hara’s termina“The Auditor operates inde- tion and Mayor Frey’s resignapendently of the City Council,” tion. They further demanded said Council President Elliott that Minneapolis immediately
Davis Moturi was hospitalized after being shot by his neighbor compensate Davis for medical bills and other expenses arising from the shooting. “The conduct of Chief O’Hara and Mayor Frey is un-
conscionable,” the coalition’s statement read in part. “They have shown throughout this affair that they are both unwilling and incapable of keep-
Courtesy the Moturis’ GoFundMe page
ing the community safe. We call for the termination of Chief O’Hara and the resignation of Mayor Frey. The Minneapolis Police Department
cannot be reformed under their leadership. We also call for a thorough investigation to determine why the city ■ See INVESTIGATION on page 5
SNAP challenge highlights YWCA St. Paul why hunger remains a crisis combats inequity By Alexzia Shobe Staff Writer
ethnicities, faiths, economic statuses, and gender identities can access equal opportunities WCA St. Paul, part of and justice. In 2023, YWCA St. Paul’s the national YWCA movement, continues newly appointed CEO, Ashley its vital role in advocating for Booker, took the helm after women’s empowerment and serving for many years as a the elimination of racism. For member of the organization. 113 years, the organization She brings a wealth of experihas supported the commu- ence, having previously served nity, focusing on racial justice, as the Executive Vice Presiwomen’s health, economic ad- dent of Learning and Impact vancement, and educational at Planned Parenthood. Her equity. At the return to YWCA heart of its miswas motivated The YWCA’s Women’s sion is a comby a desire to Empowerment 360° mitment to impositively iminitiative supports proving the lives pact the comwomen entrepreneurs, of Black women munity she calls particularly those and families in home and conof color, by offering St. Paul and betinue addressing resources and funding the inequities yond, addressopportunities to ing systemic that have long help them grow their businesses. disparities that affected compersist across munities of color. various sectors. “I’ve always Rooted in the historic Ron- chosen jobs where equity was do neighborhood, YWCA St. at the forefront,” Booker says. As grocery prices increased, visits to food shelves across the state steadily grew, highlighting an ongoing hunger crisis in Paul has long been dedicated “My focus is now on the inequiMinnesota. Mando Star Studio to improving the well-being ties present in housing, educaof its community, with an em- tion, and economic advancephasis on fostering racial and ment.” She went on to explain and emergency grocery pop- SNAP benefits fall well short security nonprofits. By Aria Binns-Zager ups across 57 Minnesota and of need: The average MinneNearly 500,000 Minne- gender equity. The organiza- that the issues of health eqStaff Writer Western Wisconsin counties. sotan receives just $5.16 per sotans, including children, tion’s mission is anchored in uity, housing, and employment “Once we get the final num- day — not enough to cover families, college students, the belief that all lives hold are inextricably linked. The he cost of groceries took center stage dur- bers for 2024, it will once again even basic needs, given the and seniors, relied on SNAP inherent value and that an data patterns she observed in ing this year’s election be the hungriest year on record, nonprofit Feeding America last year to feed themselves inclusive community is one these areas echo those seen in ■ See YWCA on page 5 estimates the average cost of — with food insecurity among where individuals of different for a reason: Families across for the third year in a row.” seniors surging as visits to the country, including here in food shelves by older adults Minnesota, struggle to feed increased by 64%. Additional themselves as food prices and “We really wanted to do the SNAP relief came in 2023 when DFL food insecurity continue to rise. challenge to draw attention to the State Sen. Erin Maye Quade Visits to food shelves important role that SNAP plays, but also (District 56) authored a bill to across the state have steadily to remind folks about how tough it is to provide emergency funding increased since 2020, highlive on a really limited food budget.” for food shelves. “I’m proud to lighting an ongoing hunger crihave passed this bill that will sis. In 2023, Minnesotans vishelp Minnesotans put food on ited food shelves a record 7.5 million times, with the number To illustrate this point, food a single meal in in the state is the table,” said Maye Quade. “With unprecedented surges of visits hitting all-time highs security advocates are par- now $4.23. “We really wanted to do the in food shelf visits, rising food each of the past three years. ticipating in a SNAP challenge, “Overall, hunger rates con- agreeing to live within Supple- SNAP challenge to draw at- costs, and pandemic-era suptinue to rise,” said Zach Rod- mental Nutrition Assistance tention to the important role plemental nutrition programs vold, director of public affairs Program (SNAP) benefits for a that SNAP plays, but also to coming to an end, I’m grateful with Second Harvest Heart- month to demonstrate the dif- remind folks about how tough to my colleagues for their swift land, one of the nation’s larg- ficulty of eating within federal it is to live on a really limited action to help Minnesotans Rooted in the historic Rondo neighborhood, YWCA St. Paul has est food banks that distributes food access programs. SNAP, food budget,” said Sophia feed their families.” The bill allocated $5 million long been dedicated to improving the well-being of its commumore than 100 million pounds formerly known as Food Lenarz-Coy, executive direcof food to community food Stamps, helps low-income tor of the Food Group, one in emergency funds to food nity, with an emphasis on fostering racial and gender equity. Photo by Alexzia Shobe shelves, meal distribution sites, Americans buy food. Current of Minnesota’s premier food ■ See SNAP on page 5