Some Minneapolis City Council members may regret pledge to dismantle police department: report

Some members of the Minneapolis City Council may have regrets regarding the controversial pledge to dismantle the city's police department made after the death of George Floyd in May, according to a new report.

After conducting interviews with multiple council members who voted to approve the pledge, the New York Times' report reveals that the vow may not be as firm as previously thought.

Council member Andrew Johnson, who supported the pledge in June, told the outlet that he meant the words "in spirit,” not by the letter. Meanwhile, Council member Phillippe Cunningham said the language in the pledge was "up for interpretation.”

Council President Lisa Bender added that she believes the pledge "created confusion in the community and in our wards.”
Some relatively moderate council members, like Linea Palmisano, chose not to take the pledge, telling the Times that the council has "gotten used to these kinds of progressive purity tests."

In a text message obtained by the Times, Palmisano outright objected to the move.
“I’m not taking any pledge, if that means people throw bottles at me then fine,” Palmisano wrote.