Written by: United Theological Seminary April 19, 2021

Resources and Actions Amidst the Chauvin Trial and the Death of Daunte Wright.

As a seminary located in the Twin Cities, our communities have been anticipating the verdict in the Derek Chauvin Trial. Meanwhile, we are also mourning and responding to the killing of Daunte Wright at the hands of Brooklyn Center police. Amidst these tumultuous times, we are publishing the following list of resources and actions for our community to heal, to advocate, and to fight for justice.

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Taking Action on Police Violence | April 2021

Responding to the deaths of Daunte Wright and the trial for George Floyd’s killer

Prayer/Meditation

Healing Our City: https://www.facebook.com/healingourcity)
Chapel at United, Wednesday, April 21
Prayer flags in George Floyd Square—you can write prayers on flags in George Floyd Square or send them to the Interfaith Movement Chaplains who will write them for you
Prayer Vigil day of verdict, 5:45 – 6:30 pm, George Floyd Square, https://fb.me/e/2i5fYg366
Preaching, Rev. Dr. DeWayne Davis, Plymouth Congregational Church at vigil/celebration of life for Daunte Wright, https://www.facebook.com/sprestemon/videos/10217977040596897

Holding Memory

Fire Arts Center, George Floyd Square, “Still Here… Unstolen. Unbroken.” https://www.georgefloydglobalmemorial.org/home#h.xuvu6cjeu38q
George Floyd Day, May 25, https://fb.me/e/2eN5iMST0

Changing Policies

Abolition movement, https://www.mpd150.com/, Sacred Solidarity Network
Council on American-Islamic Relations—9 bills before legislature, https://action.cair.com/a/action-alert-mn-coalition-justice-george-floyd-and-all-stolen-lives-demands-police-reform?eType=EmailBlastContent&eId=109c9f2f-5bd3-413b-bf01-ef4286c8d317
Community Members for Environmental Justice sign on letter re. tear gas in Brooklyn Center, https://www.mncenter.org/take-action-end-use-tear-gas-brooklyn-center

Impacting Public Discourse: Speak Out/ Increase Awareness

Protests (see below)
Op-Eds, Letters to the Editor (examples: https://www.startribune.com/readers-write-the-death-of-daunte-wright/600045578/)

Engaging our Emotions

Movement chaplain training and volunteering: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080f4fabaf28a3fe3-chauvin (seminarians welcome)
Safe spaces, https://video.startribune.com/black-twin-citians-finding-comfort-in-safe-spaces/600045912/

Public Actions in the Twin Cities

Day of Verdict Vigil, Tuesday, April 20, 5:45-6:30 pm, George Floyd Square, https://fb.me/e/2i5fYg366

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Lauren Busey (’07) grew up in the Lutheran church, earned an undergraduate degree from Luther College, and thought she would probably attend a Lutheran seminary. Then, at a Luther College women’s retreat, Rev. Dr. Christie Cozad Nueger (’80)— Professor Emerita of Pastoral Counseling and Pastoral Theology (1992–2005)—was the featured speaker and knew Lauren’s campus pastor. “So,” Lauren remembers, “we just kind of got to talking, and within a couple of weeks, I was enrolled at United.” United “was a good fit,” Lauren asserts. She found a welcoming community of fellow students and treasured professors. Those who had the greatest impact include Rev. Dr. Jann Cather Weaver (Associate Professor Emerita of Worship, and Theology and the Arts, 2001–2012), Dr. Marilyn Salmon† (Professor Emerita of New Testament Theology, 1989–2014), and Dr. Carolyn Pressler (Professor Emerita of Biblical Interpretation, 1990–2020). (more…)

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Alex Sánchez Rodriguez, who plans to graduate from United in 2026 with an MA in Religion and Theology, was initially drawn to the seminary’s Interreligious Chaplaincy program. Since taking more classes, engaging with his professors, becoming involved in the Student Leadership Collective, and taking on other extracurricular activities, he has settled on a new calling. “I discovered,” Alex shares, “that I have a natural affinity toward academics.” In fact, he admits, “I want to be like my professors.” Before coming to United, Alex was a substitute teacher in Puerto Rico. Since he moved to Minnesota, he has been working in student development and promoting student success. The priority of student success is the throughline, Alex perceives, from his current role and an academic career. “If I am to go into academia,” he explains, “part of my success as a teacher, professor, and researcher depends on the success of my future students.” (more…)