One proposed amendment would have the constitution define marriage as “only a union of one man and one woman,” limiting the right to marry. The other proposed amendment would institute identification requirements that would limit the ability of Minnesotans to exercise their right to vote.
Minnesota AFL-CIO President Shar Knutson said labor is proud to be a member of Minnesotans United for All Families, the diverse coalition fighting the anti-marriage amendment.
“Make no mistake – this is a labor issue,” Knutson said. “It is because we fight for all families. It’s because unions have always been at the forefront of civil rights.”
Richard Carlbom, campaign manager for Minnesotans United, told delegates to the Minnesota AFL-CIO convention: “Your members are under attack . . . and the attack is hurtful and it’s divisive. We can choose to allow it to be divisive or we can choose to unite our state.”
“I cannot thank labor enough for being part of this incredibly broad and diverse coalition,” Carlbom said. “On this deeply emotional issue, your leadership matters a great deal.”
The campaign is focused on conversations to help people understand the impact of the proposed amendment.
Similarly, the effort to stop the voter suppression amendment involves conversations about its consequences. It will be costly to implement, taking funds that could be used for education and other services, said Luchelle Stevens, campaign manager for Our Vote Our Future, the coalition against the proposed amendment. It also addresses a problem – voter fraud – that doesn’t exist.
“This voter restriction amendment . . . is wrong for Minnesota,” she said. “It is wrong for all of us and it is up to us to defeat it in November.”
Minnesota Secretary of State Mark Ritchie, who has challenged proponents of the amendment on their claims of fraud, said the right to vote is precious and all Minnesotans need to exercise that right. Traditionally, Minnesota has led the nation in voter turnout.
But in 2010, some 800,000 fewer Minnesotans voted than did in 2008.
“Those 800,000 people – we need them to come back in the fold of democracy,” Ritchie said. “We need to be talking and encouraging them to come back and participate.”
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One proposed amendment would have the constitution define marriage as “only a union of one man and one woman,” limiting the right to marry. The other proposed amendment would institute identification requirements that would limit the ability of Minnesotans to exercise their right to vote.
Minnesota AFL-CIO President Shar Knutson said labor is proud to be a member of Minnesotans United for All Families, the diverse coalition fighting the anti-marriage amendment.
“Make no mistake – this is a labor issue,” Knutson said. “It is because we fight for all families. It’s because unions have always been at the forefront of civil rights.”
Richard Carlbom, campaign manager for Minnesotans United, told delegates to the Minnesota AFL-CIO convention: “Your members are under attack . . . and the attack is hurtful and it’s divisive. We can choose to allow it to be divisive or we can choose to unite our state.”
“I cannot thank labor enough for being part of this incredibly broad and diverse coalition,” Carlbom said. “On this deeply emotional issue, your leadership matters a great deal.”
The campaign is focused on conversations to help people understand the impact of the proposed amendment.
Similarly, the effort to stop the voter suppression amendment involves conversations about its consequences. It will be costly to implement, taking funds that could be used for education and other services, said Luchelle Stevens, campaign manager for Our Vote Our Future, the coalition against the proposed amendment. It also addresses a problem – voter fraud – that doesn’t exist.
“This voter restriction amendment . . . is wrong for Minnesota,” she said. “It is wrong for all of us and it is up to us to defeat it in November.”
Minnesota Secretary of State Mark Ritchie, who has challenged proponents of the amendment on their claims of fraud, said the right to vote is precious and all Minnesotans need to exercise that right. Traditionally, Minnesota has led the nation in voter turnout.
But in 2010, some 800,000 fewer Minnesotans voted than did in 2008.
“Those 800,000 people – we need them to come back in the fold of democracy,” Ritchie said. “We need to be talking and encouraging them to come back and participate.”