Statement from Dave Bicking about CRA Appointment Vote
Here is Dave Bicking's statement after the final vote from the Minneapolis City council on April 2nd. Dave was not re-appointed, which is unprecedented. The process, as Dave notes, was neither open nor fair. Please let the Mpls. City Council know that you disapprove of their handling of this important decision. Elected officials expect us to forget about an issue once a vote is taken. They need to hear our opinions before they vote and after they vote. The more they realize that we are paying attention, the less they will think they can get away with.
Dave mentions a meeting of CUAPB (Communities United Against Police Brutality), Saturday, April 3, 1:30pm in the basement of Walker Church, 3104 16th Ave. S., Mpls. While this meeting has already occurred, you are welcome to attend their weekly meetings at the same time and location.
"Well, it all ended quickly, with a whimper not a bang. I am officially no longer a member of the board of the CRA (Mpls Civilian Police Review Authority).
As I said in my last update, the slate of recommended appointees was
revealed at yesterday's Committee of the Whole, and it did not include me. That slate was brought forward at today's City Council meeting by Don Samuels, chair of the Public Safety Committee. Don waxed eloquent about the virtues of the applicant that was chosen instead of me as the City Council pick for the CRA (the mayor got to make the other three picks this time). He spoke of her being "fair and balanced" - over and over. Clearly the point made was to contrast that to his claims about me. My name was never even mentioned, of course.
Then Cam Gordon (Green Party Ward 2 Council member) made his substitute motion: to reappoint me in place of the "recommended" applicant. He mentioned that I had "served admirably" on the CRA, and that my reappointment at least deserved debate and discussion. The other Council members clearly didn't agree - not a single one of them would even second the motion, so it died with no chance for discussion or vote - or even for Cam Gordon to speak in favor of the motion. It is very rare for a motion to not receive a second.
I have been pretty diplomatic through all of this, but I have to say:
What a bunch of cowards!! Other than Cam Gordon, every Council member and the mayor should be ashamed of themselves. Whatever they think about the merits of my service on the CRA - and I accept that there are legitimate differences of opinion - they should have the guts to say in public why a conscientious, active, and reliable member of the CRA (or any board) should be thrown off the board before even serving a full term.
The one constant throughout all of this is that no Council member will
express any reason for not reappointing me. I have asked repeatedly, in emails and at the public hearing, for anyone who had any concern about my reappointment, to let me know their concern so I could address it. I have had NO responses.
This is very shabby treatment for someone who has put in many hundreds of hours of service to the city. You know what they say about bullies really being cowards inside? Today's action was an example of bullies showing their cowardice. I would accept the results of a fair and open process. This was neither. And while this was particularly blatant, it is a pattern of behavior in our city government. That is the biggest reason why I ran for City Council. Since the election, I have seen an accelerating trend toward arrogant, undemocratic, and unresponsive government.
As I've said before, this is not really about me. This is about the
protection of those involved in encounters with Mpls police. The real
issue is whether there is any control over our police department; will
there be any real accountability? Will people abused by the police have anywhere to go where they can be not just "listened to", but where their experience will lead to real consequences? The CRA is an important reform won through years of demands and hard work. Will it be valuable, or will it be window dressing? The answer is still uncertain, but today's Council action says much about their desired direction for the CRA.
Quite a burden rests on the new appointees to the CRA. Rather than give my opinion and judge them now, I would prefer to let them show their merit through action. The new members are: Arlene Santiago, a public defender; Dean Kallenbach, former DFL endorsed City Council candidate against Dean Zimmermann in 2001; Pramma Elayaperumal, a young and enthusiastic applicant who has been attending CRA meetings; and Mary Pargo, a social service worker with Pillsbury United Communities and Executive Director of Juneteeth. Mary Pargo was the City Council pick, the other three were appointed by the mayor.
The fight for the future of the CRA is not over. Personally, I will
continue to attend CRA meetings, even if only as a member of the public. I will continue the research I have been working on. At this point, there is far more attention being paid to the CRA than before. That is a positive development. Often there is more value in the fight than in the outcome of a particular battle. We have much to build on, and we must do that.
The next step is the upcoming CRA monthly board meeting on Wednesday, April 7, 6:30pm, in Room 333 of City Hall (enter through after-hours door facing 4th St.). The meeting is open to the public, and public comment is allowed. A big turnout will help demonstrate the community's expectations for the new board.
Also please consider coming to tomorrow's meeting of CUAPB (Communities United Against Police Brutality), Saturday, April 3, 1:30pm in the basement of Walker Church, 3104 16th Ave. S., Mpls. They will surely be strategizing next steps in their relationship with the CRA, and planning for their input at the upcoming CRA board meeting.
Thanks to all who have been involved. I am uncomfortable with political action which puts me personally in such a public position, just as my City Council campaign did. The real important issue is the strength we have working together. Even in temporary defeat, we have shown that strength, and the fight is not over.
Dave Bicking
