Groups call off protest of DFL fundraiser
A coalition of groups that had planned to boycott and picket the Minnesota DFL Party's annual Humphrey-Mondale Dinner on Saturday has called off its protest.
The boycott was over legislation DFL Gov. Mark Dayton signed into law this week which includes a strict ban on the state issuing driver’s licenses to immigrants who are living in the country illegally. Four of five declared DFL candidates for governor had said they too would skip the dinner to stand with the protesters.
The groups, including ISAIAH and SEIU local 26, issued a statement Friday afternoon saying in part, "We have held negotiations with the governor and have come to some agreements we know are necessary to keep our families safe. We have asked the governor to explore every last piece of executive power afforded to him to protect the community. We look forward to the governor honoring his commitment to continue to meet with the immigrant community directly."
Their statement came after Dayton spoke out again Friday against the license ban.
“The un-Minnesotan provision that Republicans insisted be in the Public Safety Bill is divisive and destructive to all Minnesotans. I understand the anger, and share the very legitimate concerns, of Minnesota’s immigrant communities, and will continue to fight with them to remove this hateful provision from state law," Dayton said in a statement, adding, “I will meet with members of our immigrant communities very soon to listen to their concerns and explore their suggestions to make Minnesota a more welcoming place for all people. As governor, I will continue to do all I can to protect our state’s hard-working immigrant communities from the destructive immigration policies of the Trump Administration.”
During the legislative session Dayton had said he agreed to the provision in the public safety budget bill in exchange for Republicans dropping their push to increase penalties for protesters who block highways and transit.
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