MN Pro Teams, Local Businesses Send Letter Urging Politicians to Chill Out

By    |  
Updated:
Follow Us
ICE protests - Minneapolis, MN
Credit: Chad Davis - @daviss (X)

Eyes across the state of Minnesota have been diverted in recent days/weeks, from other areas of life — including the local sports scene — to the unrest happening in Minneapolis between Federal officials and ICE protestors.

For example, the Minnesota Timberwolves game scheduled for this evening was originally supposed to be played on Saturday, until the second ICE-involved shooting death happened yesterday on Nicollet Avenue.

But even before that, Minneapolis was starting to become a no-go zone for anyone not looking for illegal immigrants or protesting to protect them. Earlier this week, more than 10,000 protestors were walking through the streets.

Minnesota pro sports teams sign letter urging politicians to calm down

Of course, everyone has a right to peacefully protest, but the situation downtown has become untenable and local businesses are trying to fight back by urging local, state and federal officials to chill tf out.

It came in the form of a letter submitted by the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce on Sunday, which was signed by at least 65 extremely powerful businesses throughout the state of Minnesota, including the Vikings, Timberwolves/Lynx, Wild and United FC.

The business community in Minnesota prides itself in providing leadership and solving problems to ensure a strong and vibrant state. The recent challenges facing our state have created widespread disruption and tragic loss of life. For the past several weeks, representatives of Minnesota’s business community have been working every day behind the scenes with federal, state and local officials to advance real solutions. These efforts have included close communication with the Governor, the White House, the Vice President and local mayors. There are ways for us to come together to foster progress.  

With yesterday’s tragic news, we are calling for an immediate deescalation of tensions and for state, local and federal officials to work together to find real solutions.  

We have been working for generations to build a strong and vibrant state here in Minnesota and will do so in the months and years ahead with equal and even greater commitment. In this difficult moment for our community, we call for peace and focused cooperation among local, state and federal leaders to achieve a swift and durable solution that enables families, businesses, our employees, and communities across Minnesota to resume our work to build a bright and prosperous future. 

Signatories:  

3M – William Brown, Chairman and CEO

Allianz Life Insurance Company – Jasmine Jirele, President and CEO

Allina – Lisa Shannon, President and CEO, Tim Welsh, Board Chair

Ameriprise Financial – James Cracchiolo, Chairman and CEO

Anchor Paper – Brooke Lee, CEO

Andersen Corporation – Chris Galvin, Chairman and CEO

APi Group – Russell Becker, CEO and President

Best Buy – Corie Barry, CEO 

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota – Dana Erickson, President and CEO

Boston Scientific – Joseph Fitzgerald, Executive Vice President and Group President, Cardiology  

Cargill – Brian Sikes, Board Chair and CEO 

Carlson – Scott Gage, Chair  

CentraCare Health – Kenneth Holmen, M.D., President and CEO

C.H. Robinson – Dave Bozeman, President and CEO

CHS – Jay Debertin, President and CEO

Children’s Minnesota – Emily Chapman, M.D., CEO

Delta Dental of Minnesota – Rodney Young, CEO

Deluxe Corporation – Barry McCarthy, President and CEO

Donaldson Company, Inc. – Tod Carpenter, Chairman, President and CEO

ECMC Group – Dan Fisher, CEO

Ecolab – Christophe Beck, Chairman and CEO

Essentia Health – Dr. David Herman, CEO

Fairview Health Services – James Hereford, President and CEO

Faribault Mill – Ross Widmoyer, President and CEO

Gardner Builders – Bob Gardner, Founder and CEO  

General Mills – Jeff Harmening, Chairman and CEO

Gillette Children’s Specialty Healthcare – Barbara Joers, President and CEO

Greater MSP – Peter Frosch, CEO

Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation – Dr. Joseph Lee, President and CEO

HealthPartners – Andrea Walsh, President and CEO

Hormel – Jeff Ettinger, Interim CEO

Kraus-Anderson Companies, Inc. – Peter J. Diessner, CEO

Land O’Lakes – Beth Ford, President and CEO

Liberty Diversified International – Mike Fiterman, Chairman

Marsden Holding – Guy Mingo, President and CEO  

Mayo Clinic – Gianrico Farrugia, M.D., President and CEO

Medica – Lisa Erickson, President and CEO

Medtronic – Geoff Martha, CEO and Chairman

Minnesota Business Partnership – Kurt Zellers, CEO

Minnesota Chamber of Commerce – Doug Loon, President and CEO

Minnesota Timberwolves and Lynx – On behalf of the entire organization  

Minnesota Twins – On behalf of the entire organization

Minnesota United FC – Shari Ballard, CEO

Minnesota Vikings – On behalf of the entire organization  

Minnesota Wild – On behalf of the entire organization  

Mortenson – David Mortenson, Chairperson, Derek Cunz, President and CEO

New Horizon Academy – Chad Dunkley, CEO

nVent – Beth Wozniak, Chair and CEO  

Patterson Companies – Robert Rajalingam, CEO

Pentair – John L. Stauch, President and CEO

Piper Sandler – Chad Abraham, Chairman and CEO

Prime Therapeutics – Mostafa Kamal, President and CEO

Red Wing Shoes – Allison Gettings, President and CEO

Ryan Companies US, Inc. – Brian Murray, CEO  

Schwan’s Company – Brian Schiegg, CEO

Securian Financial Group – Chris Hilger, Chairman, President and CEO

Sleep Number – Linda Findley, President and CEO

SPS Commerce – Chad Collins, CEO 

Target – Michael Fiddelke, Incoming CEO 

Tennant Company – Dave Huml, President and CEO

Thrivent – Teresa Rasmussen, President and CEO

The Toro Company – Rick Olson, Chairman and CEO

UnitedHealth Group – Stephen J. Hemsley, CEO

U.S. Bancorp – Gunjan Kedia, CEO

Winnebago Industries – Michael Happe, President and CEO

Xcel Energy – Bob Frenzel, Chairman, President and CEO

The only local pro sports team not on the social media graphic was the Minnesota Twins, but they were listed among the signees (above) on the MNCC’s website.

No matter which side of the ICE fence you sit on, I think everyone can agree that the political leaders involved on all levels — federal, state and local — have done very little to calm the unrest happening recently in Minneapolis.

Clearly, the businesses locally — whose well-being literally rely on the city being a safe place — are sick and tired of politicians fanning the flames.

More About:

0What do you think?Post a comment.

Add MinnesotaSportsFan as a preferred source on Google.Add MinnesotaSportsFan as a preferred source on Google.