How community members are supporting each other during the Chauvin trial

The killing of George Floyd in May 2020 shook Minnesota to its core.

And some Minnesotans feel traumatized all over again as coverage of the trial of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin picks up. For some, it brings back memories of the first time they saw the video of Floyd on the ground with Chauvin on top of him.

Community leaders and faith leaders are answering the call for help. Across the Twin Cities, there are efforts to give people a place to talk about police violence and racial injustice.

Host Angela Davis talked with guests who are supporting friends and neighbors looking for ways to heal as they confront their feelings of grief, anger, anxiety and fear during the trial.

Davis also talked with Ruben Rosario, a newspaper journalist who wrote a column about Chauvin’s trial for the St. Paul Pioneer Press, where he worked for nearly 30 years.

Guests:

• Marnita Schroedl is the CEO and founder of Marnita’s Table, a Minneapolis-based organization that facilitates healing community conversations.

• Mary Fratto leads St. Thomas More Catholic Church’s Peaceful Presence, a daily time of quiet prayer and reflection open to the public during Chauvin’s trial. The church is located in St. Paul.

• Joi Lewis is a coach, consultant and community healer and the author of the book “Healing: The Act of Radical Self-Care.”

• Ruben Rosario is a newspaper journalist who recently wrote a column about Chauvin’s trial for the St. Paul Pioneer Press, where he worked for nearly 30 years. Before that, he covered courts and crime for the New York Daily News. 

Use the audio player above to listen to the program.

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