Dear St. Olaf Community,

On February 2, 2022, Amir Locke was shot and killed by a Minneapolis Police Department officer during a no-knock warrant. This morning prosecutors announced that the police officer who shot him will not face criminal charges. Today’s decision adds to the pain and lack of sense of safety that many members of our community feel, especially Black communities. In Minnesota, we are still healing from all the loss we have experienced in the last few years, and this decision undoubtedly exacerbates wounds that are not fully healed.

Decisions like this one impact members of our community in different ways, so I ask that we show up for each other as needed. I encourage you to practice active listening, self care, and create intentional spaces to acknowledge the impact that these decisions can have on our students, staff, and faculty.

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