MPIRG

Political Justice Task Force // The Political Justice Task Force spent the beginning of this semester focusing on the 2010 Midterm Elections. Throughout September and October the task force registered over 600 people to vote. We spent the remaining time leading up to November 2 educating voters and doing Get Out the Vote campaigns. We handed out non-partisan voter guides at many events including a Fair Trade Trick-or-Vote event with the Economic Justice Task Force. Now that the election is over we will be deciding on other political justice campaigns; we hope to work on campaigns on campus, in the Twin Cities area and even state wide.

Environmental Sustainability Task Force // The Environmental Sustainability Task Force has worked on various community and statewide issues with public and environmental health and safety in mind since the beginning of the organization. We have had a long tradition of big wins ranging from the protection of the boundary waters in 1971 to the recent passing of Complete Streets legislation which promotes the safety of public commuters and alternative transportation. This year a mandate for business recycling was introduced to the city council after the hard work of some concerned students looking for more recycling at local businesses in Dinkytown. Another recent project was the creation of the Power Police (and Energy Saving Student Alliance) which has drastically reduced energy consumption and costs while raising awarness for energy conservation during the energy blitzes. Our current projects include exploring the expansion of local food on campus through edible landscaping and researching various alternative energy options.With a petition drive last year we suceeeded in pushing through a proposal for a bike lane on church street which will be laid down in the spring. We are also working with the bike committee on campus to make sure that student voices are heard and the bike committee receives any student support possible on bike related issues.

Economic Justice Task Force // The Economic Justice Task Force is focused on issues pertaining to injustices regarding human and labor rights, homelessness, and higher education. In the past, we have worked on a number of things including getting the U of M to serve Fair Trade coffee on campus, supporting an end to sweatshop labor in the making of our collegiate apparel, and lowering the cost of attending college. Over the years, we have gotten the U to switch over 80% of its coffee options on campus to Fair Trade, have recently helped introduce a line of clothing in the bookstore that is 100% sweat-free, and have lobbied at the MN legislature for passage of Opportunity Minnesota, which would provide financial assistance to students after graduation. This year, we turn our sights to more Higher Ed. issues including fighting for budget and tuition transparency/accessibility and lower textbook costs, more sweat-free efforts including marketing campaigns for Alta Gracia, a sweat-free line of collegiate apparel, as well as further lobbying for passage of Opportunity Minnesota.

Gender and Sexuality Task Force // The Gender and Sexuality Task Force focuses on initiatives that promote and create equality for all people regardless of sex, gender identity and presentation, or sexual orientation. In the past the task force has successfully planned events like Take Back the Night, initiated the creation of important resources on campus such as the Aurora Center, and furthered awareness and research on sexual violence and harassment through the Minnesota Sexual Experiences Study. Currently, the task force is working with employees in Housing and Residential Life at the U of M to advocate for gender-neutral housing options on campus, forming connections with groups on campus to increase the number of gender-neutral restrooms, as well as doing a substantial amount of general coalition building.

Minneapolis Campus Organizer
Dakotah Johnson, extension 304, dakotah@mpirg.org