Minnesota Independent

Franken, Klobuchar, Dayton push for Democratic convention in Minneapolis

By Andy Birkey | 12.02.10 | 11:32 am

Sens. Al Franken and Amy Klobuchar, as well as DFL gubernatorial candidate Mark Dayton, are pressing the Democratic National Convention Committee to host the DNC in Minneapolis in 2012. The state’s most populous city is on the short list along with Charlotte, N.C., St. Louis and Cleveland. Also shortlisted in 2008, Minneapolis lost out to Denver, but partnered with St. Paul in hosting the same year’s Republican National Convention. Protest groups are opposing any efforts to bring the DNC to Minneapolis.

Immigrant advocates take to streets in Target’s hometown

By Jon Collins | 08.05.10 | 2:20 pm

Since news broke that Target gave $150,000 to a group that supports Republican candidate for governor Tom Emmer, who the Minnesota Independent linked to anti-gay groups and legislation, gay rights supporters have threatened boycotts and protests against the company.…

Minneapolis is finalist for 2012 Democratic convention

By Jimm Phillips | 07.01.10 | 12:34 pm

Riverbank park, Mississippi River, and Minneapolis downtown skyl

Earlier today, Democratic National Committee Chairman Tim Kaine announced the four finalist cities for the 2012 Democratic National Convention in an

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Gay pride pulls in Democratic candidates and one Republican

By Andy Birkey | 06.25.10 | 9:23 am

Hundreds of thousands of people are expected to descend on Hennepin Avenue in downtown Minneapolis Sunday for the annual Ashley Rukes GLBT Pride Parade. Among them will a large number of politicians, including every Democratic gubernatorial candidate, the Independence Party’s Tom Horner and one GOP-endorsed candidate, state House contender Brian Gruber.

Minneapolis parks, Pride tussle over anti-gay group

By Andy Birkey | 06.23.10 | 8:09 am

Twin Cities Pride and the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board are locked in a disagreement over whether the Pride Festival, a gathering of nearly 300,000 LGBT people and allies held annually in Loring Park, should be compelled to allow an anti-gay group to distribute Bibles at the event. Festival organizers say they paid ten of thousands of dollars to secure the park for this weekend’s celebration, giving them a right to control the message of the event. The Park Board has given the OK to Brain and Lois Johnson to distribute the Bibles, saying it is merely standing up for free speech.

Study: Minneapolis metro has nation’s ‘worst relative disparity’ in employment based on race

By Andy Birkey | 06.09.10 | 8:40 am

A study released by the Economic Policy Institute on Tuesday shows that the Minneapolis metropolitan area has the “worst relative disparity” in employment based on race among the country’s fifty largest metropolitan areas. The region’s black population is three…

Minneapolis artist brings faces of the fallen to city streets

By Paul Schmelzer | 05.28.10 | 2:43 pm

We’re at war — on two fronts — yet visible public awareness of the fact seems increasingly scarce. Thankfully, artists are among those trying to invade this apparent obliviousness with interventions, from Suzanne Opton’s billboards of those who…

Minneapolis to bid for 2012 DNC convention

By Andy Birkey | 05.21.10 | 11:55 am

Even as court cases continue over protests at the RNC two years ago, Minneapolis officials have been preparing to bid for the 2012 Democratic National Convention, the Minneapolis-St. Paul Business Journal reported on Thursday. Meet Minneapolis, the city’s…

Pressure mounts for Klobuchar to support LGBT legislation

By Andy Birkey | 04.30.10 | 11:22 am

Sen. Amy Klobuchar. Minnesota Independent file photoThe Minneapolis City Council, as well as hundreds of constituents, are pressuring Sen. Amy Klobuchar to support legislation that would add same-sex couples to immigration reform efforts in the Senate. The pressure follows criticism of Klobuchar from speakers at last week’s LGBT Lobby Day at the State Capitol, where one speaker said her lack of support put her in line with Republicans such as Gov. Tim Pawlenty and Rep. Michele Bachmann.

Karl Rove — and CODE Pink — coming to Minneapolis

By Andy Birkey | 04.15.10 | 7:59 am

Karl Rove, a controversial GOP operative and former Deputy Chief of Staff for President George Bush, will make an April 22 appearance at the University of Minnesota for a book signing with the university chapter of the…