Minneapolis mayor does runners proud amid social unrest

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey has made news headlines in the U.S. and internationally in the last two weeks following the death of George Floyd, who was murdered by police officer Derek Chauvin. While anti-racism demonstrations continue across dozens of North American cities over the last eight days, Chauvin and three other officers, who were all fired after the incident, are facing charges of murder or aiding and abetting. Frey, a 2:16 marathoner who graduated from the College of William & Mary in 2004 and became mayor of Minneapolis in 2017, has consistently supported the cause of justice and anti-racism in his response to recent events.

For a man who complains so frequently about a lack of community trust and support for the police department, Bob Kroll remains shockingly indifferent to his role in undermining that trust and support. https://t.co/Ws4Ly6wMXM

— Jacob Frey (@Jacob_Frey) June 1, 2020

Since Floyd’s death, Frey has addressed the police brutality in his own city and across the U.S., condemning the officers involved in Floyd’s murder, but according to Donald Trump, his response was inadequate.

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“I can’t stand back and watch this happen to a great American City, Minneapolis,” Trump tweeted. “A total lack of leadership. Either the very weak Radical Left Mayor, Jacob Frey, get his act together and bring the City under control, or I will send in the National Guard & get the job done right.”

If most people, particularly people of color, had done what a police officer did late Monday, they’d already be behind bars.

That’s why today I’m calling on Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman to charge the arresting officer in this case.

— Jacob Frey (@Jacob_Frey) May 27, 2020

Frey responded to Trump’s comments, as reported by The Guardian, saying, “Donald Trump knows nothing about the strength of Minneapolis. We are strong as hell. This is a difficult time, yes, but you better be damn sure that we’re going to get through this.” Frey called on the district attorney to arrest Chauvin, the officer who knelt on Floyd’s neck, tweeting afterward, “If most people, particularly people of colour, had done what a police officer did late Monday, they’d already be behind bars.”