PRST STD U.S.POSTAGE PAID TWIN CITIES MN PERMIT NO. 6391
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Celebrate Women’s History Month on page 2.
Counting down to our 90th Anniversary
March 21 - 27, 2024
Vol. 90
Phone: 612-827-4021 www.spokesman-recorder.com
No. 34
Rep. Ilhan Omar stopped by the MSR office and spoke to Assignment Editor Al Brown.
Photo by Chris Juhn
H i s to r i
ca l Capsule
Historical visit to the Twin Cities From the archives of the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder
Rep. Ilhan Omar
tlement House on Feb. 20, 1935.
Also in 1935, race was front his Historical Capsule and center as nightclubs were was first published on ordered to bar race patrons. Feb. 15, 1935. It gleefully announced that respected Al Brown welcomes reader scholar W. E. B. DuBois would be comments at abrown@spokesCapsule c a l man-recorder.com speaking at Phyllis i s t o r iSetHWheatley
shares national and District agenda with the MSR By Al Brown Assignment Editor
MSR: What’s happening in your district? IO: A lot is going on in the 5th Congressional District. We just announced our Funding Friday Series. We were able to secure ep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN), the trailblazing congress- over $12 million and fund 15 projects; this brings our funding woman representing Minnesota’s 5th Congressional totals to over $54 million, funding 50 projects across the disDistrict, recently engaged in an exclusive one-on-one trict. Like bringing a million dollars to Shiloh’s food shelf [and] to interview with the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder (MSR) NEON, an amazing initiative where they are trying to create an newspaper, a historic publication celebrating its amazing commercial kitchen for entrepreneurs, as well countdown to its 90th year of amplifying the voices as getting resources for Sabathani as they are trying of marginalized communities of color. to renovate this beautiful legacy of a building. As one of the first Muslim women to serve We’ve also funded affordable multifamily projects “The citizens of in the U.S. Congress, Omar has been a vocal and got funding to help with the governor’s initiathis country seem to advocate for progressive policies and social tive to end homelessness for veterans. There is justice initiatives, prioritizing the needs of always get policy correct a beautiful project happening in Robbinsdale, underrepresented populations. During her with an old house that will be renovated. before members conversation with MSR, the congresswoman delved into a range of pressing issues, from MSR: What of business initiatives? of Congress.” racial equality and women’s reproductive rights IO: There are a lot of small business initiatives that to healthcare access and economic equity. we are funding; the Incubator is one of those projects. As a prominent figure in American politics, her insights and perspectives on these crucial matters hold MSR: The Democrats seem to have a winning hand with significant weight and relevance, particularly within the context their stance on Women’s Reproductive Rights, but not so much of a challenging political climate marked by deep partisan divi- when it comes to the president’s handling of the issues in Gaza. sions and ongoing struggles for equality and justice. Her candid What do you see as the next Congressional move on that issue? engagement with the MSR offers our readers an opportunity to IO: The citizens of this country seem to always get policy corbetter understand her local, national, and global efforts and to rect before members of Congress. We’ve seen a major rallying ■ See OMAR on page 5 learn what she is passionate about.
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Dr. Artika Tyner joins MSR as education columnist
Uber and Lyft say they will leave Twin Cities metro on May 1
drive on the Uber or Lyft platforms a minimum of $1.40 per mile plus 51 cents per minute. Even with the ordinance short city council meeting remained to enshrined, it’s possible legisguarantee rideshare lation introduced at the state workers a minimum pay rate, legislature this session may at least for now. That meeting supersede it. on March 14 resulted in a 10-3 Councilmember Emily Kosvote to override Mayor Jacob ki, who represents deep South Frey’s veto on an ordinance Minneapolis, generally south that guarantees people who of 43rd Street, east of Lyndale
ule
To read the full story and more, visit bit.ly/MSRArchives.
Councilmembers override mayor’s rideshare veto
By H. Jiahong Pan Contributing Writer
C a ps u l e
By Al Brown Avenue, and west of 34th AveAssignment Editor nue, flipped her vote. She voted on March 7 to not pass the e are thrilled to rideshare ordinance; however, announce that Dr. she voted to override the veto. Artika Tyner, a disIn a statement sent to the tinguished civil rights attorney media after the vote, Koski and educator, has joined the says she wanted to wait for a report by the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry to come out. The report Rideshare drivers celebrate pay raise vote even though Uber ■ See RIDESHARE on page 5 and Lyft threaten to leave. Photo by Chris Juhn
Reinforcing voting protections: John Lewis Act reintroduced By Stacy M. Brown
Leaders work to strengthen voting rights.
March 12 to discuss the growing threats to voting rights and n a press briefing on Thurs- the need for federal voting day, February 29, Senate safeguards. Leaders said as the nation leaders, alongside civil rights advocates, announced reflects on the sacrifices of the reintroduction of S.4, the civil rights champions like the John R. Lewis Voting Rights late Rep. John Lewis, the call Advancement Act, aimed at resounds for every member of safeguarding voting rights and Congress to endorse pivotal fortifying the nation’s demo- democracy bills, including the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Adcratic foundations. According to U.S. Senate vancement Act, the Freedom to Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D- Vote Act, and the Native AmerIL), the Senate Judiciary Com- ican Voting Rights Act. iStockphoto/NNPA mittee also held a hearing on ■ See VOTING on page 5
Artika Tyner Photo by Chris Juhn Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder as a monthly education columnist. With a rich background in social justice advocacy and a longstanding commitment to empowering youth, ■ See DR. TYNER on page 5