The Latest from the League
Whose Streets?: Just the Facts
By David Schimke A new generation of protesters is becoming increasingly vigilant and disruptive. Lawmakers, citing public safety, are writing legislation to deter their behavior. For many Twin Citians, the week of July 4, 2016, remains seminal. The holiday took place...
To Afflict the Comfortable
By Neeraj Mehta For many people of color, protest isn’t a strategy to be analyzed—it’s a matter of life and death. Any debate or conversation about injustice, problem solving, or social change should begin by acknowledging that we often have different experiences,...
Citizens League Honors Dr. Josie Johnson & Susan Kimberly at Annual Civic Celebration
Thanks to all who joined us for this year's Civic Celebration honoring Dr. Josie Johnson and Susan Kimberly! Each year the Citizens League invites its members, partners and others in the community to the Civic Celebration. It’s an opportunity for other politically...
The Dangers of Disruption
By Rep. Nick Zerwas Why I want to increase penalties for protesters who block traffic Our country relies on the American people to be able to create and have constructive dialogue. Citizens can get involved in their community through communicating with their elected...
Injustice Demands Disruption
By Sarahjane Blum Legislation to address activities that are already illegal chills dissent In late May, some 100 people, led by members of the Dakota community, convened in protest of artist Sam Durant’s sculpture Scaffold, which was being installed in the...
For Argument’s Sake
To find ways forward we must make space for quality conversation and healthy debate. Even though I’ve spent over 25 years in public policy, I’m still amazed that policymakers routinely fail to involve citizen stakeholders in the decision-making process. When making...
Civic Celebration Speakers Announced!
The Citizens League is excited to announce our line-up of speakers who will honor civic trailblazers Dr. Josie Johnson and Susan Kimberly at the annual Civic Celebration on October 18, 2017 at the Minneapolis Event Center. Speakers will include Shawntera Hardy,...
Intern melds science, health and policy with experience at the Citizens League
Each year, the Citizens League is fortunate enough to host a Brandl Scholar from the Eugene J. McCarthy Center at St. John’s University over the summer. The interns we’ve had from this program prove to be bright and enthusiastic, and quickly become engaged...
From Capitol Pathways to Policy Director
Capitol Pathways 2016 alum accepts Policy Director position for the Minnesota Coalition for the Homeless Congratulations to Capitol Pathways alum, Fatima Moore, the new Policy Director for Minnesota Coalition for the Homeless (MCH)! Fatima was part of our first...
Capitol Pathways: 2nd Annual End of Session Celebration
We are excited to announce that Governor Mark Dayton declared June 1, 2017 Capitol Pathways Day! We are so proud to have this day in honor of our Capitol Pathways work, our students, host organizations and many community supporters. Read the full proclamation here! We...
Our Partnership with the University of St. Thomas
Last week, we said goodbye to two of our interns from the University of St. Thomas: Mallory Patrow and Kelsea Kern, both now graduated from St. Thomas with a degree in political science. During the past school year, Mallory and Kelsea played an instrumental role in...
Almanac at the Capitol: Catching up with Capitol Pathways
Last year TPT’s “Almanac at the Capitol” profiled Capitol Pathways’ inaugural year and followed one of our Capitol Pathways students around for a day — from working at his host site, the Department of Natural Resources, in St. Paul, to making the one hour drive back...
“Policymaking has changed” – Sean Kershaw on KFAI Radio
As Citizens League Executive Director Sean Kershaw sat down with KFAI Radio‘s Tom O’Connell, one theme emerged: Policymaking has changed in a way that calls us to do things differently. Through League events that bring different perspectives together in one room, to...
TPT Almanac: Rethinking Taxes in Saint Paul
Is there a way to get tax-exempt non-profits to contribute to city services? Citizens League Executive Director Sean Kershaw visited TPT Almanac on April 14, 2017 to discuss a new Citizens League project that hopes to help St. Paul reimagine taxes. Watch the clip...
Almanac’s People in Policy: Capitol Pathways alum David Collier
Past Capitol Pathways student and now aide to James C. Burroughs, Minnesota’s Chief Inclusion Officer, working in Governor Mark Dayton & Lt. Governor Tina Smith‘s office. Hear David Collier speak about his journey and the experiences that have led him to where he...
Capitol Pathways Student Profile: Antonio Hunt
Now in its second year, the Citizens League’s Capitol Pathways internship program was created with the understanding that, to build a strong state, Minnesota government and the people who run it must be representative of the diversity of the state. With the long-term...