accomplishments in Saint Paul. Usually, these "accomplishments" are expensive
projects implemented by advocates for populations of people that they don't
pretend to try to understand. Some of the same people that I know protesting
police actions were the same people telling the mayor that the light rail was
not meant to benefit them, that it would destroy the businesses and homes of
their families, that it was meant to benefit developers. Some of the same
people protesting the actions of the police are the same people telling the
mayor that the soccer stadium is meant to destroy the businesses they support
in order to move them out and move in people who are more like the mayor. Did
the city administration listen to these groups? Most people I know felt
unheard.
Many people want to debate whether those fears are actually true. Many also
want to debate whether the actions of the police are justified or not. Despite
anyone's opinion, there are people with real fears that are difficult for the
rest of us to understand. But advocates and city leaders in Saint Paul,
especially those who may have been surprised by a Trump win, would do well to
step back from advocacy for what they think is good for others and take a step
towards listening to those people whom they don't understand. I'm glad the
protesters took their message to the city council. This is where the
conversations need to happen.
http://www.twincities.com/2017/03/22/st-paul-mayor-responds-to-plea-by-mom-of-man-killed-by-police/