Minneapolis Fire Chief Alex Jackson gets some support

A columnist comes to the defense of Fire Chief Alex Jackson and Occupy protesters want to know where their signs went.

December 26, 2011 at 11:09PM

It's almost like a Sunday in Minneapolis today with City Hall and the Hennepin County Government Center closed, but here are some nuggets worth checking out.

You may recall that Star Tribune reporter Steve Brandt wrote earlier this month that the City Council will decide early next year whether to appoint Minneapolis Fire Chief Alex Jackson to another term. Weighing into the discussion is Ron Edwards, columnist for the Minnesota Spokesman Recorder. Edwards is a long-time civil rights activist. "Some in city government are determined to portray Fire Chief Alex Jackson as a negative example," writes Edwards. "Yet in my estimation, he has been one of the finest leaders in the history of the Minneapolis Fire Department (MFD). I should know, as I served a decade as one of six citizens presiding over the fire department for the federal court when the MFD was as discriminatory as the police department."

KSTP says a pedestrian was hit by a car around 10:20 p.m. on the 3rd Street North ramp to northbound I-94. Authorities say the driver of a Toyota Carolla saw a pedestrian in the lane ahead of him and attempted to swerve, but hit the person.

Occupy Minneapolis has been pretty much forced off the Hennepin County Government Center plaza by the courts and the cold. There are occasional rallies there, and a few people still hang out from time to time, but they aren't always present. On late Saturday night or Saturday, Christmas Eve, OccupyMN reports that all of the signs hanging and posted on what the protesters call, "The People's Plaza," were taken. Among the signs that were removed was one proclaiming U.S. District Judge Richard Kyle's ruling their signs could not be removed because they are protected by our First Amendment.

about the writer

about the writer

Randy Furst

Reporter

Randy Furst is a Minnesota Star Tribune general assignment reporter covering a range of issues, including tenants rights, minority rights, American Indian rights and police accountability.

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