It was an unjust and sad display of democracy at the Taste of Minnesota July 4 this year when Green Party volunteers were shut out from engaging in democracy.
The Green Party of Minnesota is required, due to minor party status, to collect signatures from Minnesota eligible voters between July 4 and July 18 to allow our candidates ballot access on Nov. 7. When volunteers attempted to do so on public property, which their taxes have paid for, they were told by the St. Paul police that they had to stay 2,000 feet outside of the Taste of Minnesota event boundaries.
I am awaiting return calls from Police Commander Brian Coyle and the Taste of Minnesota organizer Ron Maddox to obtain in writing a copy of the regulations they have implemented and enforced to shut out our citizens from participating in democracy.
The experience has left a bitter "taste" in our "Minnesota" minds from the unfair treatment by St. Paul city officials and Mr. Maddox on the very day that we should be able to celebrate our independence and freedom.
Danene Provencher, Ken Pentel, Dave Berger and Michael Cavlan, Green Party of Minnesota candidates
