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ST. PAUL, Minn. Nov. 24, 2015 – Education Minnesota President Denise Specht released the following statement in response to the attack on the Black Lives Matter rally outside the Minneapolis Police Department’s 4th Precinct Monday night.
"From the labor movement, to the women’s movement, and the civil rights movement, peaceful demonstrations have always driven change in this country. The women and men behind Black Lives Matter are part of this proud tradition. That tradition was attacked Monday.
Black Lives Matter is using nonviolent protests to highlight and remedy the racial inequalities in our society. The labor movement in Minnesota and the United States has long used the same tactics to advocate for workers.
Educators were dismayed to learn a group of gunmen fired on the peaceful protesters Monday night. We pray for the wounded, condemn the act and support law enforcement’s efforts to bring the shooters to justice.
To those who use violence to change minds, the history teachers among us remind you of one thing: It won’t work. Attacks on innocents failed in Birmingham, Belfast, Boston and all the other places, and all the other times, where cowards turned to bombs and guns after society rejected their fanatical ideas. The world is tired of hate.
Education Minnesota stands with the peaceful protesters. As a labor leader and educator, I've attended hundreds of rallies and protests, without fear. The Minnesotans outside the 4th Precinct deserve the same right to assemble in safety. And so do all the students we teach, who will someday play their own role in pushing society closer to the American ideal of justice for all."
About Education Minnesota
Education Minnesota is the voice for professional educators and students. Education Minnesota’s members include teachers and education support professionals in Minnesota’s public school districts, faculty members at Minnesota’s community and technical colleges and University of Minnesota campuses in Duluth and Crookston, retired educators and student teachers. Education Minnesota is affiliated with the American Federation of Teachers, National Education Association and AFL-CIO.