The following letter was sent to Mayor Betsy Hodges on the afternoon of Friday, September 26th and has since been updated to include additional signers.

Dear Mayor Hodges,

We write today to request that your office take seriously the concerns that are being raised by community members throughout Minneapolis and the greater Twin Cities' Metro area about the abusive police practices of the Minneapolis Police Department (MPD) that have been occurring for years. As you know, last week nearly two hundred residents of the Twin Cities gathered at Sabathani Community center with an expectation to engage in a "listening session" with Chief Harteau. As you are aware, Chief Harteau withdrew from the event just hours before it was set to begin and made comments to the media that we find to be offensive regarding expectations of physical violence and unruly confrontations that would pose a threat to public safety. These speculations, on the part of the Chief, reinforced stereotypes of the very communities she was purportedly gathering to "listen" to, and who are in fact, the community members most likely to be targeted by police.

The gathering was peaceful and comments from the community served to highlight the depth of the concerns that community members have about their safety on the streets and the ongoing negative interactions between law enforcement and the community. Young people from the community shared stories of arrests for things like spitting on the sidewalk or "walking while black." The conduct of some members of MPD is unacceptable in a community that prides itself on having strong, progressive values.

Although several requests have been made by multiple community members to have you and Chief Harteau issue a public apology, this has not yet occurred. We find that disheartening. Many of us voted you into office because we felt that you would not continue with "business as usual," but would work to unify the community and change the status quo. Your silence on the concerns that have been raised and your failure to engage the community on these issues speaks volumes, and will make it difficult to regain public trust.

We remain concerned about the short and long term impacts of failing to address community concerns regarding police/community relations in a timely manner. Following are some actions that you can take as a way to begin to heal the rift between the Chief, your office, and many concerned community members.

●First, we would ask that a public apology be issued by you and/or the Chief for missing the community listening session and her derogatory and alarmist media remarks that perpetuated negative racial stereotypes.

●Second, we would ask that drastic steps be taken to address the culture within MPD that leads to negative police/community relations.

●Third, we would ask for an audit of MPD by a credible, third-party entity to review departmental structure, the effectiveness of internal affairs and the civilian review process, along with departmental policies.

●Fourth, we would request quarterly progress reports to the community on issues such as increasing diversity within MPD, the rates of low-level arrests, the number and types of police misconduct complaints, and the number of police misconduct lawsuits being settled along with dollar amounts.

●Fifth, we would request an opportunity for community input on policies surrounding the use of body cameras by MPD. Although many of us support the use of body cameras, we are well aware of the fact that many jurisdictions that use body cameras continue to face allegations of police misconduct and brutality due to cameras being turned off during optimal times, storage of data, and interpretation of said data.

In essence, we would like to see MPD be transformed into a department that respects the human dignity of all persons and works to foster positive relationships with the community. We believe that public safety is negatively impacted when residents fear the police department or have lost trust due to a lack of accountability. We urge you to demonstrate bold and courageous leadership on these issues and to set the tone for the type of conduct that is expected in the city of Minneapolis. This can only happen after steps are taken to address the concerns that have been repeatedly raised over the last week and an apology has been issued.

Thank you in advance for your consideration. We look forward to a timely response.

Sincerely,

Dr. Nancy Heitzeg St. Catherine University

Prof. Nekima Levy-Pounds University of St. Thomas Law School

Dr. Rose Brewer University of Minnesota

Scott Gray President & CEO, Minneapolis Urban League

Jeffry D. Martin, Esq. President, St Paul Branch NAACP, First VP, MN/Dakotas Conf., NAACP

Vina Kay Interim Exec. Director./Dir. of Research& Policy, Org. Apprenticeship Project

Nick Muhammad Concerned citizen, Community organizer

Rev. Dennis Edwards Senior Pastor, The Sanctuary Covenant Church, Minneapolis

Dane Smith President, Growth & Justice

Toki Wright Concerned community member

Jason M. Sole Metropolitan State University, School of Law Enforcement & Crim. Justice

Rev. Michael A. Hotz Associate Pastor of Care and Outreach, The Sanctuary Covenant Church

Rev. Dan Collison Senior Pastor, First Covenant Church of Minneapolis

Chris Stewart Concerned community member

Dua Saleh President, NAACP St. Paul Youth Branch

James Trice Founder and CEO of The Public Policy Project

Lissa Jones Host, Urban Agenda Public Affairs Show

Elizabeth A. Oppenheimer Concerned community member

Chaka Mkali Director of Organizing and Community Building at Hope Community

Mark Robinson Executive Director, E.M.P.O.W.E.R.

Anthony Newby Executive Director, Neighborhoods Organizing for Change (NOC)

Neely Heubach Minneapolis resident and concerned community member

Kenya McKnight Minneapolis resident and Business owner

Chris Brooks Faculty | Youth & Urban Studies, North Central University

N. Jeanne Burns Concerned community member

William C. Jottings Concerned community member

Matthew Barthelemy Concerned community member

Henry Jimenez Youth worker, Community organizer

Jamie Utt Concerned community member

Charles Samuelson Executive Director American Civil Liberties Union of Minnesota (ACLU-MN)

Cynthia Assam Certified Student Attorney, University of St. Thomas Law School

Ngeri Azuewah Certified Student Attorney, University of St. Thomas Law School

Rachel Sebasky Certified Student Attorney, University of St. Thomas Law School

Justine Hicks Certified Student Attorney, University of St. Thomas Law School

Jacob Ray Certified Student Attorney, University of St. Thomas Law School

Muna Hassan Certified Student Attorney, University of St. Thomas Law School

Marcus Harcus Concerned community member

Taylor Shevey Concerned community member

Stephen Maitreya Wolfe Concerned community member

Nathaniel Khaliq Concerned community member

Shelley Martin Concerned Mpls Resident, Community Organizer

Nelima Sitati Munene Concerned Community member

Ann Mongoven Concerned Community member

Thomas Hooks Concerned Community member

Sarah Goodspeed Concerned Community member

Tami Schimnoski Concerned Community member

Ruby Simmons Partake or Flake

Kate Willis Concerned Community member

Matthew Berg Concerned Community member

Mike Griffin Concerned Community member

Kristy Pierce Concerned Community member

Vaughn Larry Concerned Community member

Donna Evans Concerned Community activist/organizer

Rev Meg Riley Senior Minister, Church of the Larger Fellowship

La Juana Whitmore Owner, Black Twin Cities, Member, MN Cultural & Ethnic Comm. Leadership Coun.

Shaun Laden Concerned Community Member

Amber Gay Concerned Community Member

Dwane Martin Concerned Community Member

Peter Thomas, Community Artist, Concerned Community Member

Dr. Bryan K. Cole Parent, Educator, former Minneapolis Resident

Tim Harlan-Marks Concerned Community Member

Karen Monahan Community organizer

David Miller Concerned Community Member

Cathy Jones People of Color Union Member, Concerned community Member

Dave Snyder Concerned community member

Anne Winkler-Morey Community faculty Metro state university

Claire Bergren Community Organizer- Harrison Neighborhood Association

Jobi Adams Concerned community member and Youth

Rebeka Ndosi Concerned community member

Chamise Anderson Certified Student Attorney, University of St. Thomas School of Law

Melvin Whitfield Carter, Jr. Concerned community member

Azucena Ortega Concerned community member

Eliot Howard Concerned community member

Zachariah Y. Oluwa Bankole JD/MBA student and concerned community member

Anika Ward Concerned community member

Roya Damsaz Concerned community member

Julie Plaut Concerned community member

Amy Van Steenwyk Co-founder of the Mennonite Worker

Ann Galloway Concerned Citizen

Daniel Dean Concerned Community Member

Muneer Karcher-Ramos Concerned Father

Molly Glasgow Northside Community Reinvestment Coalition

Oliver Schminkey Concerned citizen

Aaron Rennaker Concerned Community Member

Katie Huynh Concerned citizen

Ashley Horan Exec. Director, The Minnesota Unitarian Universalist Social Justice Alliance

Angel Smith-EL Concerned citizen of 4 African American young men

Kyla Sisson Concerned community member

Miranda Posthumus Concerned Community Member

William W Smith IV Youth Advocate

Bridget Siljander Concerned community member

Kate Sattler Concerned Community Member

Ann Haines Concerned Community Member

Evelyn M. Blum Concrned Community Member and Voter

David Boehnke Concerned Community Member

Mike Wedl Concerned Minneapolis Resident and Community Leader

Lauren Huiting Concerned Community Member

David Miller Concerned Community Member

Nick Campbell North Minneapolis Resident

Stephanie DeFrance Public School Teacher

Marjaan Sirdar Concerned community member

Niko Georgiades Youth Worker, Concerned Community Member

Chrissie Mahaffy Concerned community Member

Brian Mahaffy Concerned community Member

Dick Donovan Concerned community Member

Tessa Wetjen Concerned community member

Vanessa Messersmith Concerned community member

Leah C Palmer Former MPD employee

Jennifer Lock Concerned Community Member

Liane Gale Co-Chair, Green Party of Minnesota

Michael kraft Concerned community member

Josh Hardy Concerned Community Member

Steve Loop Concerned Community Member

Danyale Green Concerned Community Member/Organizer

Sonia Nunez-Gibbs Educator

Tony Nunez Concerned community member

Jazmin Danielson Community Leader

Avra Anagnostis Wake Up 612

Cari Tan Educator Concerned Community Member

Mrs. Maryann Robinson Concerned Child Education Advocate

Brian K. Smith Institute on Culture and Policy

Mary Webb-Hampton Concerned community member, Wake up 612

Stephanie Gasca Concerned Community Member

Roya Damsaz Concerned community member

Michael W. Jonak Attorney and Concerned Citizen

Jon P. Frasz TAMN

Roya Damsaz Concerned Community Member

Kissy Coakley Victims Advocate & Justice 4 All Leader

Dan Kauppi Lawyer, Minneapolis resident

Robert Smith III Doctoral Student, University of Minnesota

Carrie Anne Johnson Parent & Life-long South Minneapolis Resident

Amber Jones U of M Student, Concerned Community Member

Eric Highers Concerned Community Member

Lars Mackenzie Graduate Student, University of Minnesota

Maria Laden Concerned Community Member

James Christenson Concerned Community Member

Vanessa Messersmith Concerned community member

Joseph Maher ONE LOVE

Mike Griffin Concerned Community Member

Christena Cleveland Ph.D., Associate Professor of Reconciliation Studies, Bethel University

C. John Hildebrand Concerned Community Member

Mark Van Steenwyk Pastor, the Mennonite Worker

Brita Higgins Concerned Community Member

Brandi Olson Jordan neighborhood resident and concerned community member

Pamela Y. Cook, Esq Chaplain Intern, Redeemer Lutheran Church & Redeemer Center for Life

Chelsea Forbrook MPS teacher

Holly Slattery Concerned Community Member

Alanna Morris-Van Tassel Concerned Community Member

Steve Clemens Minneapolis resident

Charity Kroeker Concerned Community Member

Jack O'Leary Concerned Community Member

Raymond Calubayan Concerned Community Member

Bethany Theobald Concerned Community Member

Terry W. Hokenson Board Member, Minnesota Interfaith Power & Light

Nancy Nair Concerned Community Member

Russ Barclay Concerned Community Member

Jamie Buss Concerned Community Member

Dawn Pivec Concerned Community Member

Lora Pedersen Concerned Community member

Corliss Zawistowski Concerned Community member

Marcia Foutch Concerned Community Member

Linda L Richards Brain Injury Specialist in rehab, for persons with traumatic brain injury

Ryan Peterson Concerned Community Member

G Zachariah White, PsyD Licensed Psychologist

Orin Rubin Concerned community member

Matthew Masurka Musician, Concerned Community Member

Jennifer Arnold Community organizer

Nathan Michielson University of Minnesota Student

Morgan Bird Concerned Community Member

Peter William Atkins Concerned Community Member

Alexis Boxer Conservation Organizer, Sierra Club

Nick Espinosa Occupy Homes MN, United Neighborhood Alliance

Bobbi Dahlstrom Whittier resident

Rike Miggs Concerned Community Member

Cesar Atienzo Concerned Community Member

Alexandra Vagac Chair of the Board of Directors, MPIRG

Nicholas Cotta Student at University of Minnesota

Grayson Carr Community member

Dr. Sarah Humpage Liuzzi Economist, Concerned Community Member

Alyssa Ramsden MPIRG Board Director

Aaron Furuseth Concerned Community Member

Austin Zyvoloski Concerned Community Member

Stacia Martin Concerned Community Member

Anton Schieffer Concerned Community Member

Emily Lund Concerned community member

Adam Loomis Minneapolis resident, artist and activist

Guy Wagner Concerned Community Member

Zoe Prinds-Flash Photographer, Concerned Community Member

Abbi Dion University of Minnesota Graduate Student and Concerned Citizen

Eden Yosief Concerned Community Member

Sam Gould Concerned Community Member

Emerson Gutierrez Concerned Community Member

Phill Kelly Interim Executive Director, West Bank Community Coalition

Ryan Johnson Concerned Community Member

Nien Liu Concerned Community Member

Josh J. Kaplan Concerned Community Member

Greg Neis Concerned Community Member

Will Dockendorf Teacher

Mike Hoyt Concerned community member

Ruby Levine Concerned Community Member

Peter Pawlowski Concerned Community Member, PACIM Board Member

Noah Shavit-Lonstein University of Minnesota Student

Anya Cleaver Concerned Community Member

Louis Mielke Student, University of Minnesota-TC

Pahoua Yang Hoffman Concerned Community Member

Margaret Levin State Director, Sierra Club North Star Chapter

Matthew Saint-Germain Student, University of Minnesota and Business Owner, Freedom From

Brian Matthew Hart Concerned Community Member

Jonathan K. Davis Concerned Community Member

Angie Hanson-Huff Concerned Community Member

Adam Levy Concerned community member

Janey Winterbauer Musician, citizen of Minneapolis

Patricia Enger Actor

Rosalie Pierce Concerned community member

Kathy DeKrey Concerned Community Member

Sarah Peters Artist and arts administrator with Northern Lights.mn

Lars Hayne Concerned community member

Robyn Hendrix Concerned community member

Dominique B Energy Efficiency

Wil Sampson-Bernstrom Concerned Community Member

Ben Severns Community Educator

Juleana Enright Writer, Concerned Community Member

Dean Otto Concerned Community Member

Nicholas Clark Concerned community member

Lacey Prpic Hedtke Artist, concerned community member

Katie Hargrave Concerned Community Member

Shanai Matteson Collaborative Director, Works Progress Studio

Lara Avery Editor, Revolver

Erik Brandt Professor, Minneapolis College of Art + Design

Mark Borrello Concerned Community Member

Amanda Luker Boneshaker Books

Arwyn Birch Business owner

Randall K. Cohn Program Supervisor., Avenues for Homeless Youth; Law Student, William Mitchell

Josie Shardlow Concerned Mpls resident

Elisabeth Workman Poet, writer

Danielle Thompson Concerned Community Member

Lance W Conrad Local business owner, music community organizer

Christopher Caesar Concerned Community Member

Elizabeth Stewart Concerned Community Member

Regan Smith Concerned Community Member

Rachel Bean Concerned Community Member

Donna Buer Concerned Community Member

Bradley Coleman Johnson Concerned community member

Kyrra Rankine Concerned Community Member

Katherine Kazama Concerned community member

Jonathan Stensland, Concerned Neighbor

Cassie Warholm-Wohlenhaus Librarian, Hennepin County Library-Franklin

Kevin Van Meter PhD Student, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities

Melissa Hysing Concerned Community Member

Mamie Xiong Concerned community member

Evan S. Giffin Concerned community member

Sharon Goens-Bradley Healing Justice Program Director, American Friends Service Committee

Christian Erickson Minneapolis Resident and Business Owner

Rowena Ng University of Minnesota Graduate Student

Andrew Molle Concerned Community Member

Travis Workman Assistant Professor/University of Minnesota, Twin Cities

Ashley Fairbanks Artist/Organizer, Concerned Community Member

Paul Corts Teacher of Color

Danielle Kasprzak Concerned Community Member

Colin Kloecker Co-Director, Works Progress Studio, Concerned Community Member

Yusuf Ahmad Concerned Community Member

Bryan Pyle Concerned Community Member

Susan Kikuchi Labor organizer

Nancy Helfrich Concerned Community Member

Paul Achmelzer Concerned community member

Jessica Mueller Director of Development and Marketing, Urban Homeworks

David Petersen Owner, David Petersen Gallery

Julie Graves Youth worker

Amy Mingo Concerned Community Member

Peter Simonson Executive Sous Chef Peoples Organic, Minneapolis homeowner

Pamela Isham Concerned community member

Kristen Murray Minneapolis resident

Samuel Bjorgum Concerned community member

Taryn Tessneer Concerned Community Member

Marque Jensen Writer, Teacher, and VP of Minne-Mex Construction

Arjun Kataria Graduate Student, Carlson School of Management

Cheryl Wilgren Concerned community member

Jesse Petersen Concerned community member

Melody L Hoffmann Professor, Concerned Community Member

Tom Grant Civilian

Rachel Young Concerned Community Member

Lori Stee Concerned Community Member

Paul Henry Concerned community member

Jennifer Barclay Mother, Minneapolis resident, Concerned community member

Maura Brown Minneapolis resident

Jenn Schreiter President, the Students' Cooperative

Kirsten R Hayman Resident, Ready for Better

caty royce Deeply Concerned community member

Eric Asboe Concerned Community Member

Karlyn Avery-Derksen Behavioral Health Nurse Clinician, Concerned Community Member

Dave Jeffries Anti-Racist Action

Victor Martinez New Generation Church

Emerson Beishline Attorney and Concerned Community Member

Francisco Segovia Center Director at Pillsbury-Waite House

Janet Lobberecht Concerned community member

Erik Ostrom Concerned community member

Gabriel Bozian Certified Student Attorney, William Mitchell College of Law

Sara Nelson University of Minnesota

Dr. Valentine Cadieux University of Minnesota and Concerned Community Member

Jade Lichtsinn LICSW, Resource Chemical and Mental Health

Sarah Valentine Concerned Community Member

Eleanor Stoltz Teacher, Minneapolis Public Schools

Molly Phillips Concerned Community Member

Gudrun Lock Concerned community member

Bruce Braun Concerned Community Member

Brandon Kareef Church Onward, Concerned Community Member

A. Weiers Concerned community member

Mikel Herb Concerned community member

Dr. Kate Derickson University of Minnesota

Katrina Ann Haugen Concerned Community Member

Stephen Kung President, Urban Oasis LLC

Dylan Bradford-Kesti Program Organizer, Land Stewardship Project

Pia Payne Shannon Educator

Spencer Cox Concerned Community member

Lalit Batra University of Minnesota

Melinda Kernik Concerned Community Member

Ananya Chatterjea University of Minnesota

Paul Schulz Concerned Community Member