PRST STD U.S.POSTAGE PAID TWIN CITIES MN PERMIT NO. 6391
To Subscribe Scan Here
THE VOICE OF BLACK MINNESOTA SINCE 1934 April 30 - May 6, 2026
Vol. 92
No. 39
Phone: 612-827-4021 www.spokesman-recorder.com
Boundary Waters mining ban overturned in narrow Senate vote By Damenica Ellis Staff Writer
of Minnesotans that they do not want this mine built in this place,” Smith told the Mininnesota U.S. Sen. nesota Spokesman-Recorder. Tina Smith took “It felt so important to me to to the Senate speak on the floor about why floor last week revoking this moratorium was to protest legislation revoking such a mistake.” Though few colleagues protections for the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilder- were present on the floor, ness. The effort fell short. The Smith said she felt compelled bill passed 50-49 and now sits to speak for Minnesotans on President Donald Trump’s who weren’t being heard. Dedesk, where many expect it to spite the outcome, she noted that a broad coalition of small be signed into law. H.J.Res.140 rescinds a businesses, Native Americans, 20-year ban on copper sul- hunting and fishing groups fide mining in the Rainy River and outdoor enthusiasts came Watershed and the Boundary together in opposition. “That big coalition of people said. “I will do everything I can Waters Canoe Area Wilderness that was put in place in who banded together to stop to make sure all these people’s it is still really strong, and I voices are heard.” early 2023. “I’ve heard from thousands hope that it will continue,” she Friends of the Boundary
is that they are notoriously polluting,” said Pete Marshall, the organization’s communications director. “The EPA has listed copper sulfide mining, hard rock mining, as the most polluting industry in the United States. You put that next to some of the cleanest water in the country and you have the perfect recipe for an ecological disaster.” Marshall said every copper sulfide mine ever opened has ended up polluting the surrounding water supply. With the federal moratorium lifted, companies seeking to build mines will now begin pursuing approvals at the federal and state levels, a permitting and environmental review process that can take several years. “It’s important that people pay attention to this and conWaters Wilderness, founded fide mines at the wilderness’s tinue to speak out so that process is done in a fair and unbito advance legislation protect- edge. “The reason that these pro- ased way,” Smith said. ing the region, had worked to block proposed copper sul- posed mines are so alarming ■ See BOUNDARY on page 5
Hunger strikers confront Hennepin County Board over HERC, sending commissioners into recess By Clint Combs Contributing Writer
n day 12 of a hunger strike, environmental activists disrupted Tuesday’s Hennepin County Board meeting, sending commissioners into recess after finally getting a chance to speak face to face with the officials they say have ignored them for weeks. Zero Burn Coalition members Natasha Villanueva, Joshua Lewis and Nazir Khan had not eaten since April 10. Seated in wheelchairs, they addressed the board one by one, demanding a vote to close the Hennepin Energy Recovery Protesters temporarily blocked the underpass at the Henne- Center by December 2027. pin County Government Center, April 21. Clint Combs/MSR HERC first began generating
electricity in 1989, making it a 36-year-old facility in an industry where most incinerators were built to last about 30 years. A total of 54 trash incinerators across the United States have closed since 2000, and no new incinerators have been built during that same period. The hunger strike ended the following day. HERC is one of the largest permitted sources of nitrogen oxides, hydrogen chloride emissions, dioxins, lead, sulfur dioxide and particulate matter in Hennepin County, and it is the county’s third-largest permitted source of carbon dioxide. Researchers have estimated that particulatematter-related health impacts
ers, students, journalists and constituents… all calling in one voice to shut down HERC.” Chair Fernando, when asked for comment, stressed from HERC’s 2019 emissions that closing HERC early would resulted in one to 2.2 prema- do more harm than good. ture deaths and between $11 “Closing the HERC when million and $24 million per there is not an operational year in health-related costs. plan established for the waste Nearly in tears, Villanueva would likely result in service adjusted her microphone disruptions or dramatic cost and directed her comments increases for residents and toward County Board Chair businesses,” Fernando said. Irene Fernando, describing “Further, it would result in hunhow the county had avoided dreds of thousands of tons of her. waste being trucked to sub“This is the first time during urban and regional landfills, that period that any of you raising costs for residents, inhave sat down to face those creasing truck traffic through of us on strike, asking you neighborhoods, worsening merely to take a vote on your methane emissions and burown resolution to close the dening other environmental single largest source of pollu- justice communities elsetion in the county,” Villanueva where in the region.” said. “Meanwhile, we’ve met Commissioner Kevin Anwith representatives from all derson briefly spoke with local government, faith lead- ■ See ENVIRONMENT on page 5
Legacy and Laughter fundraiser From the farm to the neighborhood: celebrates community influencers Michael Chaney’s lifelong harvest By Kimerlie Geraci Contributing Writer
versity campuses before shift- board of directors, healers and ing her focus to postsecondary youth leaders, Fry used the preparation at the secondary evening to honor individuals he Irreducible level, the organization grew by naming rooms within the Grace Foundation, out of a clear need. In 2012, center after them, ensuring a 12-year-old non- Fry established it to support their legacies remain woven profit dedicated youth from foster care. Work into the fabric of the space. Guests were both enlightto fostering holistic wellness that has since expanded to among BIPOC youth, hosted serve a broader community of ened and entertained by emcee its annual Legacy and Laugh- young people. Alongside the ■ See LEGACY on page 5 ter fundraiser Saturday at the Black Youth Healing Arts Center in St. Paul. The foundation creates safe spaces and healing opportunities for youth of color through mentoring, life-skills training, employment support, self-care practices and arts-based programming for teens and young adults. Through visual and performing arts and movement techniques, the organization helps young people develop tools to manage stress, process trauma and find their voice. Back row, from left: Ra Joseph Cole, Toni Carter, Melvin CartFounded by Dr. Darlene Fry, er Jr., Natalia Gaston-Davis, Malik Davis, Anika Bowie-Lunde a Chicago native who worked and Dr. Mitch McDonald. Front row, from left: Nathaniel on numerous college and uni- Khaliq and Victoria Davis. Courtesy
By Aamira Redd Contributing Writer ichael Chaney is an activist, storyteller and poet who has spent more than 30 years advocating for climate justice in the Twin Cities. For Chaney, agriculture has always been part of his story. Growing up on a 1,040-acre farm in Wisconsin, he spent much of his childhood learning to work the land from his elders. “You know, you can take the boy out of the country, but you can’t take the country out of the boy,” Chaney said with a laugh. His passion for activism was ignited by his uncle, Felmers O. Chaney, a civil rights leader and community trailblazer in Milwaukee. The elder Chaney was Milwaukee’s first Black police sergeant, president of the North Milwaukee State
Michael Chaney, back row, left, with fellow Project Sweetie Pie gardeners. Green America Bank and president of the NAACP Milwaukee Branch. “I come out of that tradition of community-led, community-fed. That’s always been my passion and my contribution,
and what I thought was expected,” Chaney said. “Community just doesn’t happen by happenstance. It doesn’t happen by accident. Somebody ■ See CHANEY on page 5