The University of Minnesota announced on May 27, 2020, that they will no longer use Minneapolis Police as their event security.
The University President Joan Gabel made the decision following the death of George Floyd. She wrote in a letter:
“Our hearts are broken after watching the appalling video capturing the actions of the Minneapolis Police Department (MPD) officers against George Floyd leading to his tragic death.”
“Today [yesterday, May 27] I am announcing two immediate changes regarding our relationship with MPD.point 389 |
First, I have directed Senior Vice President Brian Burnett to no longer contact the Minneapolis Police Department for additional law enforcement support needed for large events such as football games, concerts, and ceremonies.point 194 | point 194 | 1
Second, I have directed University Police Chief Matt Clark to no longer use the Minneapolis Police Department when specialized services are needed for University events, such as K-9 Explosive detection units.”
Aside from that, Gabel said that they will now limit their ties with the MPD because the university has a responsibility to ‘uphold our values and a duty to honor them.’
In the latter part of her letter, she expressed her grief over what happened to George Floyd:
“I write to you to express our overwhelming sadness and our demands for accountability and justice. Our campuses and facilities are a part of the communities in which they reside. University students, staff, and faculty are day-to-day participants in the life of every community in this state, and we must act when our neighbors are harmed and in pain.
My heart is heavy and my thoughts are with the loved ones and friends of George Floyd.”
George Floyd was arrested by the Minneapolis police on May 25, Monday, for using counterfeit $20 note in a shop. While being detained, a witness saw one of the officers knelt on his neck for about eight minutes, which later on, caused his untimely death.
Coincidentally, a passerby caught this moment and recorded it, and the video has been everywhere on the internet stimulating protests in the city. This led to the summoning and arrest of Derek Chauvin – the police who knelt on Floyd’s neck.
At a press conference on May 27, Frey said:
“Why is the man who killed George Floyd, not in jail? If you had done it or I had done it, we would be behind bars right now, and I cannot come up with a good answer to that question.”
Although there were no arrests yet, all four officers present during Floyd’s arrest have been fired from the force.