Screenshot from the Minnesota Orchestra’s “Music of Power and Grief for a Community” video, mourning George Floyd. In the video, four Minnesota Orchestra string musicians perform while complying with CDC guidance about social distancing and masks. The video shows scenes of mourning and protest on the streets of Minneapolis.
“The Minnesota Orchestra has become the latest organization Friday to cut ties with the Minneapolis Police Department until changes are made,” writes Eddy Rodriguez on Saturday (6/6) at Newsweek. “On its Twitter account, the Minnesota Orchestra stated that there is more for them to hear and do in ‘advancing the change that must happen to make our community more equitable and just. The killing of George Floyd [while in Minneapolis police custody] marks a turning point for our organization, and we join with other community members in calling for transformational changes in the Minneapolis Police Department. Specifically: We join with the Twin Cities Musicians Union in calling for the resignation of the president of the Police Officers Federation of Minneapolis, Bob Kroll …We are restructuring our security staff and will no longer engage Minneapolis Police Department officers to provide security at Orchestra concerts until the MPD implements fundamental changes,’ it stated, adding that a police presence will be needed where mandated by the government…. The Minnesota American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations … said … that Kroll had a history of ‘complaints of violence made against him.’ … Minneapolis public schools, as well as the city’s parks, cut ties with the MPD.”
