On Friday, May 29, Saint Paul Regional Labor Federation President Kera Peterson issued the following statement:

“I know people are concerned about what is happening in our communities right now. People are responding to the unjust killing of George Floyd in different ways, including physical action to further agitate the system towards justice and systemic change. I appreciate the hard work of Saint Paul’s elected officials and city staff to help neighborhoods prepare for what may happen. And I join them in encouraging residents to prioritize public safety by staying home as our leaders chart a clear path forward.

“Today, many union leaders are working to support members who are showing up to jobs and workplaces that look and feel very different than they did yesterday and the day before. And some are working to support members who are not able to work at all, whether it’s because transit and delivery services have been suspended in certain areas, or because the physical buildings where they work have been damaged and are unsafe at this time. The Saint Paul Regional Labor Federation is proud to partner with local leaders in these critical efforts.

“Union members show up to support their communities, and many are rolling up their sleeves and pitching in to help clean up impacted neighborhoods. As a labor movement, we stand united in support of efforts to rebuild our communities as places that are free of systemic racial inequalities, and to move the capital city forward, together.”

The Saint Paul Regional Labor Federation brings together more than 100 affiliate unions, representing over 50,000 working people in Chisago, Dakota, Ramsey and Washington counties.