all over Minnesota resolutions were passed calling for the MNDFL to aggressively support affirmative action

Please distribute and circulate this widely…

It was a fantastic night... all over Minnesota resolutions were passed calling for the MNDFL to aggressively support affirmative action... this resolution, which they were all based around, unanimously passed the Roseau County DFL 2010 Convention.

I introduced this resolution.

I was elected an alternate delegate to the upcoming MN DFL State Convention in Duluth and I look forward to discussing this resolution with everyone... hopefully everyone will begin discussing this resolution now so it isn't necessary to fight for six years to get it part of the Action Agenda like we had to do to get single-payer universal health care as part of our Minnesota Democratic Farmer-Labor Party “Action Agenda” against powerful forces aligned with big-business interests and those politicians paid-off by outfits like the Minnesota Indian Gaming Association, the mining, banking and forestry industries and the American Medical Association.

Roseau County continues to lead the way in progressive thinking; it's where the single-payer universal healthcare movement got its impetus and its where the struggle for affirmative action will get its forward movement... DFL elected officials have ignored affirmative action for too long right along with Pawlenty... this needs to change and it is going to change, beginning with this resolution... we really need to get this resolution into all political parties all across the United States.

There will be a continued need for affirmative action as long as higher unemployment and higher rates of poverty continue to plague communities of people of color. “Last hired, first fired” need to end; we end this racist discrimination resulting from institutionalized racism by vigorously enforcing affirmative action… the Roseau County DFL gave affirmative action one heck of a push tonight… like a snowball rolling down a hill on a warm spring day let’s keep pushing until this movement gets so big it can’t be stopped.

This struggle against institutionalized racism will strengthen the working class movement and the progressive movement in general while providing a better standard of living for millions of people in this country… this is the kind of change people voted for.

Say “No” to racist discrimination and “Yes” to full equality!

We also unanimously passed a resolution that would tie the minimum wage to a real living wage based upon the BLS cost of living index. The MN DFL leadership has steadfastly opposed both resolutions--- but, they also opposed single-payer universal healthcare and we finally won.

So far only one DFL candidate for governor, Mark Dayton, has come out in support of the strict enforcement of affirmative action and he has condemned the refusal of the Minnesota Department of Transportation and the Department of Employment and Economic Development to implement state mandated and legislated affirmative action; Dayton responded to this broad-based, grassroots people’s movement which was initiated by Gregory W. Paquin DFL Candidate for State Senate District 4 who has provided the leadership in the struggle for affirmative action by launching the fight to enforce affirmative action at the Bemidji Regional Event Center… Paquin and Dayton should be applauded for their courage to stand up for what is right when others have remained shamefully silent; Dayton and Paquin have set a new standard for politics in Minnesota and we should all pitch in and give them a hand--- they have the ball rolling and we need to keep this ball rolling… delegates to the Roseau County DFL and other precinct caucus participants did this tonight.

The silence of all other gubernatorial candidates on the issue of affirmative action enforcement is shameful… and where are all the other candidates on this most important issue; which, in addition to breaking the back of institutionalized racism holds out the hope of ending poverty for those whose lives have been turned into a nightmare for decades.

Let this serve notice on all politicians that the people are on the move for real change.


I appreciate the continued support from the Roseau County DFL in helping to advance a real progressive agenda.

This resolution, word for word, passed unanimously… Let’s hear from MN DFL State Chair Brian Melendez his position on this resolution:


Tuesday, February 2, 2010

Minnesota Democratic Farmer-Labor Party resolution in support of affirmative action


Precinct Caucus & Roseau County DFL Convention Resolution Supporting Affirmative Action

Institutionalized racism is still firmly in place and entrenched in all aspects of life Minnesota.

Institutionalized racism has resulted in horrendous and disgraceful unemployment and poverty afflicting communities of people of color far exceeding that of the general population.

No place is the effects of institutionalized racism more evident than in Native American Indian communities and on Indian Reservations.

Affirmative action is the only remedy to discriminatory practices in hiring resulting from institutionalized racism.

State agencies and departments are required by statute to enforce affirmative action in hiring as the way to end historic patterns of discrimination against people of color, women and the disabled.

The required enforcement of affirmative action has not been taking place in Minnesota.

Whereas the Minnesota Democratic Farmer-Labor Party is not presently on record supporting affirmative action;

Therefore---

Be it resolved the Minnesota Democratic Farmer-Labor Party supports the strict enforcement of all affirmative action guidelines and policies; and, when missing, but required, affirmative action plans must be drawn up and implemented to become part of all projects in Minnesota--- including as part of the initial planning process and in all stages thereafter.

Be it resolved that Affirmative Action shall become a part of the Minnesota Democratic Farmer-Labor Party’s “Action Agenda” and it shall become the responsibility of all public officials--- elected and appointed--- to see to it that affirmative action is fully enforced on all public works projects and any projects involving public participation by local, state or federal government bodies in Minnesota employing more than ten people and/or involving more than $50,000.00 in public investments.

Alan L. Maki
58891 county Road 13
Warroad, Minnesota 56763

Phone: 218-386-2432
Cell Phone: 651-587-5541

E-mail: amaki000@centurytel.net

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