Minneapolis mayor Jacob Frey rejects city council's push to defund police, despite veto-proof majority | Fox News

Minneapolis mayor Jacob Frey rejects city council's push to defund police, despite veto-proof majority | Fox News

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Minneapolis mayor rejects city council's push to dismantle police, despite veto-proof majority
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey on Sunday reiterated that he doesn't support abolishing the city's police force, hours after a veto-proof majority of members of the Minneapolis City Council said they want to take that drastic step in the wake of the death of George Floyd in custody.

Frey, who ordered a police station to evacuate as rioters burned it to the ground almost two weeks ago, was shouted down by a large gathering of demonstrators near his home on Saturday when he defied their demands to shutter the city's police forces entirely.

"I'll work relentlessly with Chief [Medaria] Arradondo and alongside community toward deep, structural reform and addressing systemic racism in police culture," Frey said in a statement to KARE. "We're ready to dig in and enact more community-led, public safety strategies on behalf of our city. But I do not support abolishing the Minneapolis Police Department."

Frey is also seeking federal and state aid for his city, citing more than $55 million in damage. Click here for more on our top story. 

Other related developments:
- Omar, Romney among lawmakers joining Floyd protests amid signs of stronger anti-police tone
- De Blasio: NYC to cut NYPD funding, shift it to social services
- Arrest, murder charge announced in killing of retired St. Louis Police Capt. David Dorn