FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Rick Fuentes
(o) 651-414-2863
(c) 612-741-0662
rick.fuentes@mnnurses.org
Amber Smigiel
(o) 651-414-2849
(c) 651-202-0845
amber.smigiel@mnnurses.org
The Minnesota Nurses Association joins the Minnesota AFL-CIO in calling for the resignation of Minneapolis Police Union President Bob Kroll and an end to the systemic racism that continues to permeate the Minneapolis Police Department. The murder of George Floyd and the response by Kroll once again demonstrate that racism is endemic to the Minneapolis Police Department and the Minneapolis Police union. It is evident that racism and white supremacy begin at the very top of the Minneapolis Police union by the words and actions of its very own President. Kroll continues to minimize the killing of unarmed black citizens by officers and promote symbols of “white power” within the department. This behavior is not acceptable from any leader, much less the leader of a union.
Union members must call out inequality, and nurses especially have a responsibility to stand up for their patients’ rights and well-being. As nurses, we see how systemic racism results in reduced access to healthcare, poorer health, and threats to basic safety. Nurses call for responsibility, transparency and justice, and we believe that this starts with the resignation of Bob Kroll. If there is any government action that deserves to be analyzed, it is how those with power treat those without. It is time to dismantle the systems and leaders in power who perpetuate racism.
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