MINNEAPOLIS, MN (KARE) — Minnesota State Tony Cornish is taking some heat for a letter to the editor published in Wednesday’s Star Tribune.
In it, Rep. Cornish lists “advice” on how not to provoke a physical confrontation with police. In the letter, he says he’s responding to advocacy groups asking what can be done to “reduce the use of force by police.”
Cornish is a Republican and former police chief who has become known as a tireless advocate of gun ownership rights. He also chairs the House Public Safety Committee, which makes him one of the key players at the State Capitol.
Among the advice offered: “Don’t be a thug and lead a life of crime so that you come into frequent contact with police.” He also wrote, “Don’t flap your jaws when the police arrive. Don’t disobey the requests of the police at the time,” and “Don’t use the excuse of a lack of a job or education for why you assault, rob or kill.”
He also advises that people shouldn’t be on the streets after 2:00 a.m. or make sudden movements, or keep their hands in their pockets after being ordered to remove them.
Anthony Newby, executive director of Neighborhoods Organizing for Change Minneapolis, found the letter to be “disturbing, if not outright dangerous.”
He said the word “thug” is coded, racially charged language.
“The word thug isn’t used to describe just anybody, and I think if we scratch the surface a little bit we know exactly who he’s talking about when he says thug,” Newby said.
Belos is the complete text of the Cornish letter:
Lately, some advocacy groups have been asking what we can do to “reduce the use of force by police.” Well …1) Don’t be a thug and lead a life of crime so that you come into frequent contact with police.2) Don’t rob people, don’t use or sell drugs, and don’t beat up your significant other.3) Don’t hang out on the street after 2 a.m. Go home.4) Don’t make furtive movements or keep your hands in your pockets if told to take them out.5) Don’t flap your jaws when the police arrive. Don’t disobey the requests of the police at the time. If you think you are wrongfully treated, make the complaint later.6) Don’t use the excuse of a lack of a job or education for why you assault, rob or kill.I was born and raised on a farm, dirt-poor, with eight other kids. My grandpa served time in Stillwater State Prison. My dad only made it through eighth grade, and none of us nine kids has ever received a college degree. We didn’t use that as an excuse to turn to crime.Here endeth the lesson. No charge.
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