The ACLU-MN has joined forces with over forty organizations to support the repeal of Minneapolis’s lurking law. The law reads: No person, in any public or private place, shall lurk, lie in wait or be concealed with intent to commit any crime or unlawful act. 385.80. Minneapolis is one of a few large cities in the country that has this law. This law is being applied extremely discriminatorily in Minneapolis. Homeless people and people of color are targeted at a much higher rate than Caucasians. There were 167 people arrested or cited for “lurking” in the City of Minneapolis in 2006, 133 of these people, or more than 80%, were people of color. A homeless person is 20 times more likely than a non-homeless person to be cited for lurking. The ACLU-MN also opposes this law on the grounds that it is vague and allows police officers too much discretion. Council member Cam Gordon introduced the repeal, the public hearing date has yet to be set. What you can do to help - Sign the online petition
- If you are a Minneapolis resident, call your city council member and tell them to vote to repeal the lurking ordinance. You can find your district and their contact information here
- Download the facts on lurking to learn more
- Invite a friend to sign the petition
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