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Inside this Edition... Read about Black barbershop as a cultural hub on page 8.
Celebrating 90 years of Black journalistic excellence.
January 23 - 29, 2025
Vol. 91
No. 26
Phone: 612-827-4021 www.spokesman-recorder.com
Groundbreaking juvenile expungement program
Nonviolent offenses committed by children are targeted the state. This effort reflects a growing belief that past mistakes should not determine an individual’s entire life. Moriarty’s juvenile program represents a bold move to address the deep-rooted challenges faced by justiceinvolved youth, especially Black and brown youth, who often experience systemic barriers. University of Minnesota law professor JaneAnne Murray believes prosecutors are uniquely suited to handle Hennepin County District Attorney Mary Moriarty at the 35th Annual Holiday Dr. Martin expungements because they Luther King Jr. Breakfast with County Attorney’s Office staff From Mary Moriarty’s Twitter have access to case files and can act quickly without waittive initiative aims to clear the sota Attorney General Keith ing for an individual to apply. By Clint Combs criminal records of young people, Ellison introduced the state’s “Because they have access to Contributing Writer offering them a new chance at first statewide adult expunge- all these files, they can do blanennepin County Dis- success by sealing juvenile con- ment program, along with the ket expungements of certain trict Attorney Mary victions. By doing so, it removes Help Seal My Records portal. offenses — there’s no need for Moriarty has made obstacles to education, employ- The program, which focuses the person to apply first. Proshistory with the ment and housing — critical on nonviolent offenses, has ecutors can move quickly and launch of the nation’s first pros- areas for youth trying to build a already sealed nearly 1,000 efficiently,” Murray said. records, and expungement Moriarty’s office has already ecutor-led juvenile expunge- better future. In October 2020, Minne- clinics are being held across ■ See HC EXPUNGE on page 5 ment program. This transforma-
Minneapolis Police reform effort awaits judge’s approval By Clint Combs Contributing Writer fforts to reform the Minneapolis Police Department (MPD) are approaching a critical moment as a federal settlement awaits final approval from U.S. District Judge Paul Magnuson. The consent decree, which promises significant changes to enhance police accountability and improve practices, has already been approved by the Minneapolis City Council and Mayor Jacob Frey. But the changes won’t take effect until the judge signs off, marking an essential milestone in the reform process. Even with concerns about political shifts under the incoming Trump administration, both local and federal officials — including the Department of Justice (DOJ) — remain com-
A key element of reform is that officers must activate their body-worn cameras before initiating any law enforcement activity. City of Minneapolis mitted to ensuring account- meeting, Cynthia Coe, deputy ability and implementing po- chief for the DOJ’s Civil Rights lice reforms. In a recent virtual Division, reassured the public.
“All the people you see here ■ See CONSENT DEGREE on page 5
Officer convicted in George Floyd murder released from prison who blocked bystanders from intervening as Chauvin and Thomas Lane restrained Floyd ormer Minneapolis police for nearly nine and a half minofficer J. Alexander Kue- utes, is expected to be reng, convicted in the killing leased in 2025. of George Floyd, was released Chauvin, the primary perfrom federal prison on Jan. 15. petrator, was convicted of Kueng, 31, was found guilty murder and manslaughter. He of aiding and abetting second- was sentenced to 22 years for degree manslaughter for his the state charge and 21 years role in Floyd’s death. Video for federal civil rights violafootage and eyewitness testi- tions. He is serving both senmony showed Kueng kneeling tences concurrently.
By Jasmine McBride Associate Editor
Former Minneapolis police officer J. Alexander Kueng Getty Images on Floyd’s back while Derek In November 2024, Chauvin, his fellow officer, Chauvin filed a motion to vaknelt on Floyd’s neck, restrict- cate his conviction, claiming ing his ability to breathe. Kue- his guilty plea was made withng was also convicted of vio- out full knowledge of alternalating Floyd’s civil rights while tive theories presented by Dr. acting in his capacity as a law William Schaetzel, a patholoenforcement officer. gist. Schaetzel has suggested After pleading guilty, Kueng that Floyd’s death was caused was sentenced to a 3½-year by a combination of high levstate prison term, which ran els of catecholamines, a stressconcurrently with a three-year related neurohormone, and federal sentence. He began Takotsubo myocarditis, a heart serving his time in 2022 at FCI condition. Elkton in Lisbon, Ohio. Chauvin’s legal team was A spokesperson for the granted permission in DeFederal Bureau of Prisons con- cember 2024 to examine firmed Kueng’s early release, Floyd’s heart tissue in support noting that the “First Step Act of these claims. U.S. District and other factors” are consid- Judge Paul Magnuson ruled ered when determining parole that the discovery could poeligibility. It is not unusual for tentially support Chauvin’s prisoners to be released be- argument regarding the cause fore completing their full sen- of death. Chauvin remains incarcertences. Tou Thao, another offi- ated in a Texas prison. cer convicted in the killing of Floyd, is serving a five-year Jasmine McBride welcomes sentence for his role in the reader responses to jmcbride@ May 25, 2020 murder. Thao, spokesman-recorder.com.
Turning dreams into reality for our youth of color Each week throughout 2025, space in these pages will be given to organizations working to end racial injustice across the state. We hope that these reflections spark policy changes for a more equitable Minnesota By Khalique Rogers Catalyst for Systems Change I vividly remember standing before a Rotary Club as a Black teenager excelling in my internship program. The audience was predominantly white, and I was there to share my story and to use my image and voice to influence them — business owners and employers — to create more opportunities for inner-city youth. As a well-studied and well-
spoken Black student, I was being asked to challenge perceptions and inspire action, encouraging them to open doors for young people who, like me, deserved access to broader work opportunities. At the time, I didn’t fully grasp the gravity of my role in that space. Now, as an adult who is maximizing my own image and likeness on behalf of the broader community, I have a much deeper understanding of the value of leveraging
access and resources to help others scale and achieve their own version of success. During my speech, I asked the audience to raise their hands to a question I already knew the answer to but needed to be voiced: “Did your first job opportunity come from a relationship with someone in your family or network?” As I scanned the room, nearly every hand went up. People began sharing stories about how a family member owned a business, how someone’s uncle connected them to an internship, or how a neighbor’s recommendation opened a door. I followed up by saying, “Now, consider communities that don’t have a vast network like yours where help is just a call away.”
For many in communities of color, the tightrope we walk is 50 feet high. One misstep can lead to a fall so severe it feels impossible to recover. In contrast, other communities walk a tightrope just 3 feet off the ground, with a safety net ready to catch them if they stumble. This disparity isn’t just about privilege; it’s about the structural and systemic inequities that create vastly different outcomes depending on where you’re from and the opportunities you’re afforded. I am a product of community investment. While I may not have started with much as a young person, one key characteristic has carried me to places I only dreamed about as a child — curiosity. However, ■ See CV on page 5 Khalique Rogers