Nate Atkins
Minneapolis
Political platform statement
Why I am running for this office: Because I believe our city is being led astray. It started years ago but it’s gotten worse in the past 10 months. You see, in the wake of the death of George Floyd a much needed “pulling back of the curtain” happened. For once, people were focused and united on issues like qualified immunity, ending no-knock warrants, and real, true police reform. They were able to see behind the curtain at what was really, truly happening that caused and drove the abuse by the police. But in the following weeks and months of Floyd’s death people became divided and lost focus of what is truly needed for police reform. It left me tired. It left me exhausted. Watching the city I love and the city I live in devolve into chaos, looting, and violence with seemingly no hope in sight left me beaten down and, quite frankly, feeling like I shouldn’t give a sh!t. But this is the city I love. I love the arts in this city. I love the murals I see as I drive down Lyndale on my way into work each morning. I love the food. I love the restaurants (I’m a huge foodie). I love the food at Colita and Young Joni. I love the Grain Belt sign. I loved the sign at Minnehaha Liquors. I love Sea Salt and Minnehaha Falls. I love the culture. I love how many different people there are here. I love the lakes. I love my daily jogs along Minnehaha Creek. I love the architecture. I love the energy that this city gives off (even if it includes the damn airport noise that wakes me up at 5:00am). This city is different. It’s not like other cities and that’s good. This city IS good – even if it’s lost its way.
Education/Profession: Bachelor of Arts / Architecture: University of Minnesota - Twin Cities Customer Service & Warranty Manager for a local homebuilder
Position statement 1: "Require the police carry professional liability insurance as a condition of employment." Consider the following professions that have to carry such insurance: plumbers, electricians, contractors, carpenters, etc. Even we as owners and operators of vehicles must carry some sort of liability insurance. Why should the police be exempt from this? This policy change would provide the following benefits: it would relieve the taxpayers of Minneapolis from having to pay for settlements to cover police wrongdoing, it would create a greater incentive for individual officers to consider their actions as there would be a greater and more direct way for them to lose employment, and it would end the current dysfunctional and meaningless disciplinary system. Furthermore, consider the fact that the insurance companies providing this liability insurance would have a financial incentive to ensure that the police are properly trained and educated in aspects such as de-escalation training, non-lethal force, etc.
Position statement 2: "Make Minneapolis a sanctuary city for marijuana use." Let's be honest, it's embarrassing that the Minnesota state legislature has failed to legalize marijuana. Heck, even our conservative neighbor, South Dakota, has voted to legalize it. If the DFL & GOP in the Minnesota legislature can't do the right and simple thing and repeal all marijuana laws I will do everything in my power as mayor to make this city a sanctuary city for marijuana use.
Position statement 3: "Decriminalize all drug use & sales." We as a city, state, nation, and society need to admit that the war on drugs is a failed one. But, that doesn't mean we cannot address the issues of drug use/abuse in our communities in meaningful ways. I believe that all drug use & sales must be decriminalized if we are to have a more fair & just society. The fact that there are people in cages (prisons) for the victimless crime of using drugs is a blight on any society that wants to call itself "civil". Instead of arresting and imprisoning people for drug use or possession we should instead direct them into treatment and/or rehabilitation programs. If we stop putting people in cages for victimless crimes and instead offer treatment and non-judicial intervention, we will help people keep their jobs, keep their housing and stay off the streets.
Position statement 4: "End the 1033 Program." The militarization of the police simply must end. We are only creating walls between the police and the people they serve by providing them with military equipment. Here is a great quote from an article on Human Rights Watch: "Research studies indicate that the 1033 Program is not only unsafe but ineffective as it fails to reduce crime or improve police safety… Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) have also received enormous amounts of excess military equipment as part of the militarization of our border. This is particularly concerning at a time when ICE and CBP units are being deployed in response to peaceful protests and for interior law enforcement programs."
Position statement 5: "End qualified immunity."This is such a no-brainer. But, it is difficult because it is largely a federal doctrine. But I guarantee that I will do everything in my power as mayor to pressure our city attorneys to fight and not allow ‘qualified immunity’ defenses by law enforcement. Qualified Immunity was initially intended to shield law enforcement from frivolous lawsuits but it has resulted in an almost impenetrable shield whereby people cannot hold individual police officers accountable for their actions and misdeeds. It simply must end.
Endorsements: Libertarian Party of Minnesota Libertarian Party Mises Caucus Legal Marijuana Now Party