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I was astonished to read Angie Hoffman’s column of June 10. Two weeks ago, the world watched in horror to the sight of a Minneapolis police officer kneeling on the neck of George Floyd and killing him, as he begged for his life saying “I can’t breathe.” At the resulting protests, one of the chants heard most was “Say his name: George Floyd.” Ironically, Ms. Hoffman refers vaguely to the events in Minneapolis, but never once says his name. His name is George Floyd and he was murdered. No one who views the video can reasonably claim otherwise. And if demanding accountability after seeing the video makes me a hater, I can only wonder if Ms. Hoffman did not hate what she saw on that video. Is she saying that the life of that man was insignificant? Is she saying it did not bother her? 

The problems within the Minneapolis Police Department are complex (recruiting, training, culture and more) and the people of Minneapolis will need to work hard to solve those problems. Ms. Hoffman suggests that if people demand change, that they somehow hate the police. Shame on her.  And I don’t think that even the local police would agree since they helpfully handed out water to people at last week’s rally in Albert Lea demanding justice for George Floyd’s murder.

Ms. Hoffman, the murder of George Floyd was a tragedy and your attempt to make political hay out of it is a disgrace to you and to your party.

Ted Hinnenkamp

Albert Lea