Blanked Out

This is my first report as I investigate the incident surrounding the Minneapolis Police Department (MPD) action of August 31st 2007. While there was a slew of photos, videos and eyewitness reports I did not see any reporting done with those who were actually arrested.

The MPD’s response was to give no comment on this story since it is still an open investigation.

Unless you’re on the City Council that is - 2nd Ward Council Member Cam Gordon was able to confirm several details in his post here that help explain the MPD response:

• The ride was under surveillance from the beginning from both air and ground - joint units (MPD intellgience and State Patrol) - no explanation of why or if this is common procedure
• “Officers reportedly responded to confrontational behavior by three Mass participants, and found themselves in a situation they could not control. They put out an “officer needs help,” call, which the Chief of Police has indicated is not the ideal response to this sort of event. Responding officers arrived without coordination, and, apparently afraid for the welfare of their fellow officers on site, reacted to the situation they found”

• Officers were unaware that Critical Mass participants often hold their bicycles above their heads, and that this is not a threatening gesture but one of celebration and empowerment.

Cam’s post helps a lot - I’ll be writing a “feature” piece that summarizes everything once all the pieces come together. For now, here is my interview with Joel Lueders who was arrested that day. I don’t talk much since his story (which checks out) speaks for itself. If you have any additional information regarding the incident please email me at noah AT blanked-out DOT com:

Blanked-Out:
Tell me a bit about yourself and what happened.

Joel Lueders:

I have lived in Minneapolis since 2000. For the last 5 years I’ve served in the Minnesota Army National Guard. I have a degree in Elementary Education from the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities. I am 25 and work in Downtown Minneapolis where I bike to and from each day. I am not a member of the pReNC and this was my first time attending Critical Mass.

It started at Loring Park, went to the University of Minnesota Campus then back across Broadway Bridge. A helicopter was surveying the crowd from the beginning. A police car trailed us the entire time, sounding their siren as they drove through intersections. As the crowd passed people would smile at us, whip out camera phones or whoop and holler.

Some would ask “What’s this all about?” Bikers usually responded with “Happy Friday!” I saw at least one plainclothes officer tracking us with a camcorder. Later, when crossing the Broadway Bridge I came across a single arrest in progress. Unified chants of “Let him go!” began – a few minutes later they did. Bikers immediately continued riding along with the rear police escort.

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I knew that would draw you in. Don’t worry, pay off for the headline is buried deep. This is an analytical feature, so you’ll have to work for it. You had Labor Day off after all.

First: This post is not about the arrests during the Critical Mass bike ride on August 31^st. Currently, that event is being adequately covered by eyewitness Steve Marsh, Aaron Landry and the always solid Andy Birkey at the Minnesota Monitor. The only thing that will provide info on that event is more verifiable eyewitness reports – something I’m working on.

Exculpations or convictions should be held off until then.

In the meantime, I felt it was important to clarify an emerging mainstream media meme regarding the RNC Welcoming Committee’s (RWC) plans to protest the RNC Convention. This post is not to render judgment either way but to present the details in context which has always been a core mission of Blanked Out.

On the morning of 8/27, RWC proxy Bea Bridges presented this statement and this video. Star Tribune staffer Randy Furst posted a news story that afternoon along with Rachel E. Stassen-Berger of the Pioneer Press. Two days later, activist-columnist Katherine Kersten posted an editorial regarding the legal preparations for the RNC convention.

Let’s see how the story developed on two key points: (emphasis added)

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With Democrats taking over the House and Senate, Feingold wants to focus on his Senate work:

“We can actually advance progressive solutions to such major issues as guaranteed health care, dependence on oil and our unbalanced trade policies,” he wrote.

(…)

He said running as an underdog appealed to him, but not the way it would “dismantle” his work in the Senate and his personal life.

The number of candidates with grassroots support is narrowing fast.  Is this clearing the way for Hillary’s coronation or increasing the chances a dark horse candidate could enter the game late?

The confirmation comes none too soon. (emphasis added)

WASHINGTON - Sen. Barack Obama acknowledged Sunday he was considering a run for president in 2008, backing off previous statements that he would not do so.

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“Given the response I’ve been getting the last several months, I have thought about the possibility” although not with any seriousness or depth, he said. “My focus is on ‘06. … After November 7, I’ll sit down and consider it.”

Obama was largely unknown outside Illinois when he burst onto the national scene with a widely acclaimed address at the 2004 Democratic National Convention.

In recent weeks, his political stock has been rising as a potentially viable centrist candidate for president in 2008 after former Virginia Gov. Mark Warner announced earlier this month that he was bowing out of the race.

MN Publius has a good rundown of the response Obama has been getting from the Minnesota grassroots.

In my personal experience there is no other candidate who would get more support from the Minnesota grassroots than Obama. Russ Feingold, our friendly neighborhood Senator, comes very close.

Obama’s previous statements that he would not run in ‘08 is a non-issue. To be honest, the fact that he’s won a Grammy will be more of a problem to some people.

While politicians should never rule out running for higher office, Mark Warner’s drop from the list of contenders changed the presidential landscape considerably and shifted the ‘08 spotlight to Obama.

Warner dropped out for the same reasons that would have made him a great President. Even though this was his best chance and an opportunity that would probably never come again, he realized his heart wasn’t in it 100%.

Only that kind of maturity can save us from the amateur hour that is the Bush Administration.

Obama agrees:

On Sunday, Obama dismissed notions that he might not be ready to run for president because of his limited experience in national politics. He agreed the job requires a “certain soberness and seriousness” and “can’t be something you pursue on the basis of vanity and ambition.”

Amen! The fact of the matter is that Obama has two very young children. An Oval Office run would bring stress that the rest of us can’t even dream of - the only person who knows if Obama has what it takes to be President is Obama himself.

The rest of us can only hope.

Below the fold is a list of wonkish links to 2008 prescience.

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3:25pm: GOP officials and Twin Cities Mayors have confirmed the selection:

Ken Mehlman, chairman of the Republican National Committee, made the official announcement at 3 p.m., along with Gov. Tim Pawlenty, Republican Sen. Norm Coleman, Minneapolis Mayor R. T. Rybak and St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman

The convention is scheduled for Sept. 1-4, 2008, at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, a week after Democrats nominate their candidate. The Twin Cities had also been competing against New York and Denver to host the Democratic convention.

“We want to congratulate the Twin Cities. … We are looking forward to working with Denver and New York as we make our final decision,” said Stacie Paxton, a spokeswoman for the Democratic National Committee.

For those of you who were boosters for the DNC coming to Minneapolis (myself included) look at it this way: you still only have to buy one airplane ticket.

AP is reporting that according to anonymous sources, the GOP will announce they have selected St. Paul for their 2008 Presidential Convention.

The RNC is back in in the metro area today.  They will be reviewing Minneapolis/St. Paul as a possible site for the 2008 Republican National Convention.  The Strib outlines their schedule: (emphasis added)

Today’s itinerary includes breakfast at the Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis, a ride on the light-rail line, and tours of Target Center and the Metrodome in Minneapolis and the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul. The group will be in town through Tuesday.

I’ll be swinging by the Guthrie this morning to see if I can spot any RNC members of note.  If anyone is on the light-rail today and finds themselves sitting next to this gentleman, ask him just what “adapting to win” in Iraq really means.

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Ever since New Orleans dropped out of the running for the Democratic National Convention in 2008, Denver has been the presumptive front-runner, despite a fantastic push by Mayors Rybak and Coleman for Minneapolis/St. Paul.

Denver knew from the start it would have to resolve its lack of unionized labor, particularly in their hotel industry. Could it increase unionization across the city before 2008? Would the DNC accept a lower level of unionization?

Colorado Confidential is reporting that progress on the “union question” has slowed, propelling Minneapolis/St. Paul into first place:

The political “buzz” about the location of the Democratic National Convention has Denver slipping into second behind St Paul/Minneapolis because of Union problems and lack of facilities, according to sources within the national party circle. They acknowledged that Denver Mayor Hickenlooper is working on the labor problems, but with the DNC decision expected in November, will he have enough time to solve the problems?

I doubt anyone could put together a fail-safe plan for an increased union presence in Denver by 2008 by November. It will come down to either the DNC accepting Hickenlooper’s promises on faith, or putting the meme of a resurgent Democratic party in the Mountain West above union problems.

They better stick to that November deadline because the Republicans are also taking a very hard look at Minneapolis/St. Paul. Rybak and Coleman have made it clear that Minneapolis/St. Paul is first come first serve - they will withdraw their bid for the Democrats if the Republicans pick them and vice versa.

Info on Minneapolis/St. Paul becoming the Republican favorite underneath the fold:

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