Lawmakers to preview items slated for public safety agenda Monday

Several Minnesota state lawmakers and the state’s attorney general will discuss public safety priorities Monday night that are expected to be part of this year’s legislative session.

The public event was organized by the Minnesota Justice Research Center (MNJRC) and its partners in order to discuss criminal justice reform, expectations of the legislative session and how members of the community can engage and support changes to the criminal justice system.

The panel is scheduled to run from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. inside the Sabathani Community Center Auditorium at 310 East 38th Street in Room 120 in Minneapolis. Admission is free, however there is a suggested $20 donation. Attendees are asked to RSVP here.

Representatives from the Minnesota House and State Senate from both the GOP and the DFL will be in attendance.

The event is also being hosted by the MN Association of Black Lawyers, the African American Leadership Forum, MN and MPLS NAACP, Twin Cities Urban League and the Council for Minnesotans of African Heritage.

The community is invited to attend the event to celebrate the legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. by “answering his call to join the work to eliminate injustice” according to a news release.

“Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. lived a life dedicated to fighting injustice, and there are still a lot of injustices in the criminal legal system,” Justin Terrell, MNJRC Executive Director said in a written statement. “With this event, we hope to honor his legacy by creating a space for state legislators to not only reflect on the problems and progress of the past, but to commit to take action in the future to transform the criminal legal system in the present.”