Hundreds Rally at State Capitol

Thanks to everyone who participated in our 2005 Day at the Capitol! Over 400 people from across Minnesota joined us to demand that our legislators oppose cuts to the renters’ tax credit and support increased funding for emergency shelter and transitional housing.

Large groups of constituents came from Minneapolis, St. Cloud, Duluth, St. Paul, Anoka County, Owatonna, Little Falls, Minnetonka and Washington County. This year’s rally inspired people to chant and sing, and reminded us all that we can make our collective voice heard.

When asked about the rally, Mike stated, “I’m really glad I came to lobby day this year. It’s awesome to see so many people from Greater Minnesota and the cities coming together around these incredibly important issues.”

Before the rally, 29 teams of constituents split up to meet with their legislators. Collectively, we met with 56 out of 67 senators and 87 out of 134 representatives. People experiencing homelessness from the Twin Cities and Greater Minnesota served as team leaders for over a third of the constituent teams.

Kristin, a member of Team 5, stated, “My group had a great assortment of people. I liked our team leader because he helped us focus on the day’s main issues. It was neat to see our legislators up close.”

As a result of this year’s lobby day many people began, while others deepened, what the Coalition hopes will be long-term relationships with their legislators.

One gentleman who stays in a Minneapolis shelter went outside at lunch to smoke a cigarette. While smoking he got into a conversation with a state senator. When she realized that he was homeless, she started asking him some personal questions. He gave her straightforward, honest answers. By the end of their brief conversation, she fought to hold back her tears.

This gentleman felt so inspired by the exchange that after he got back to the shelter he decided to go out and stand over 35W holding the sign he had made for the rally. It read simply: “END HOMELESSNESS NOW.”