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The state police officers association and the leader of a Bloomington political committee are criticizing a city human rights commissioner for describing a recent pro-police rally as fascist.
Commissioner Anita Smithson tweeted that she drove by Bloomington Civic Plaza on July 25 during the second annual Back the Blue rally, which she called a fascist organized rally.
Smithson, who was appointed to the commission in March, said last year s rally was organized with ACT for America, classified as an anti-Muslim hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center.
She said in a series of other tweets that while the rally was raising money for a good cause, it amounted to fascist radicalization and was tied to ACT for America.
Bloomington passes conversion therapy ban April 20, 2021 5:51pm Text size Copy shortlink:
Following 90 minutes of passionate public commentary, the Bloomington City Council on Monday evening passed a ban on conversion therapy for minors and vulnerable adults.
Bloomington is the ninth city in Minnesota to ban the widely discredited practice, which seeks to change an individual s sexual orientation or gender identity.
The 6-1 vote marked the culmination of nearly a year of research, led by the city s Human Rights Commission, that resulted in a recommendation for the council to pass a ban. Residents have been speaking out both against and in favor of the ban since January, and the council discussed a draft ordinance in March.
Elementary students return to in-person learning
Under Minnesota s new COVID-19 guidelines, some districts began bringing their youngest learners back into school buildings Tuesday. Author: Jennifer Austin Updated: 5:57 PM CST January 19, 2021
BLOOMINGTON, Minn. Back-to-school pictures aren t typically taken in January.
But that s what Anita Smithson found herself doing Tuesday morning as she snapped a photo of her eight-year-old son and six-year-old daughter outside their Bloomington elementary school on their first day back to in-person learning in months. You can just barely see their eyes with their winter hats and their masks, Smithson said.
Bloomington Public Schools began allowing pre-k through 2nd grade students back in the building Tuesday. Students in grades three through five will join them beginning February 1.