Minneapolis City Council declares racism a public health emergency

KSTP

[KSTP]

Friday, the Minneapolis City Council approved a resolution declaring racism a public health emergency.

The city says the resolution notes that racism leads to discrimination in areas of life like housing, education, health employment, public safety and criminal justice.

The resolution adds these issues are exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.

In its resolution, the city council said, "a multitude of studies connect racism to inequitable health outcomes for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC), including cancer, coronary heart disease, diabetes, hypertension, high infant and maternal mortality rates demonstrating that racism is the root cause of social determinants of health."

Minnesota House to vote on resolution declaring racism a public health crisis

The resolution also includes studies that indicate that Black people are three times more likely to be killed by police.

One of the steps the council promises to take in the resolution is to, "build and implement a comprehensive public safety system that decentralizes BIPOC over-policing and criminalization."

Back in June, a majority of the Minneapolis City Council announced their support for dismantling the Minneapolis Police Department and moving toward a community-based public safety model. The announcement came after the death of George Floyd.

Last month, Hennepin County passed a resolution that declared racism a public health crisis. Rep. Ruth Richardson has also introduced a resolution in the Minnesota Senate that would declare racism a public health crisis in the state.