Lakeville resident and Founder of Support Black Lives and Unity Michelle Marx Meyer who has been organizing these events for most of the year.

LAKEVILLE, MN — (Oct. 11, 2020) More than twenty people held signs promoted racial justice, love for all humanity, and LGBTQAI+ equality in front of Steve Michaud Park in Lakeville. Most attendees were Lakeville residents and included among them was Boundless Love Project’s Mindfulness Teacher, Freeman. Also present were former Lakeville residents and allies from Burnsville and Apple Valley.

Many teachers and parents of Lakeville students were present to protest the Lakeville School Board’s decision to ban teachers from displaying “Black Lives Matter” in their classrooms.

Teachers and parents present said they valued the teacher’s freedom and trusted them to do what is best for their students and community. Teachers appreciate the need to create a supportive and welcoming environment for students of color, which these signs can do. If conversations result from the signs, it can create a teachable moment to help students recognize the inherent dignity and value of all humans. Moreover, teachers can help model for students how to have challenging, respectful conversations that honors everyone regardless of their views. These were some of the points protesters made.

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Demonstrators line both sides of the street to promote their message of peace, tolerance, and fairness.

“Racial justice harm everyone — be they white, Black, Indigenous, Latinx, or Asian. As a nation, we are having a conversation on how best to dismantle institutionalized racism,” says Freeman. “It is critical that we trust our teachers to make thoughtful and appropriate decisions on what is best for their students and society when it comes to whether or not to display ‘Black Lives Matter’ in their classrooms.”

NOTE: At the end of this article, is A sample letter that you can send to Lakeville’s board of education to Ask they Repeal their ban on displaying “Black Lives Matter.” The letter Encourages the Board to trust teacher’s to use their best judgment as to how best to serve their students and our community.

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These weekly demonstrations happen every Sunday from 3 to 4 pm. Michelle Meyer started them earlier this year, after the police killed George Floyd while up-standers pleaded with the police to stop killing him. This was her way to contribute to the conversation and promote racial justice in the suburbs, where many mistakenly assume this is a “city problem” that does not affect us.

Reactions to the demonstration were varied. Most members of the public drove by honking their horns, waving, giving “thumbs up” and showing other signs of support. Some drove as if nothing was happening, and a few people aggressively revved their engines, or flipped the bird to express their displeasure.

Freeman suggests that a good way to respond to such acts is by silently and energetically sending them a blessing: “May you be free from suffering. May greed, fear, and falsehood have no power over you.” He promotes this because ultimately, love, understanding, forgiveness, and compassion are what will help us come out of our prejudices and enter into Beloved Community.

For details on how to get involved, attend the demos, and speak up for Teachers and their students, scroll past the photos of the event.

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Jen Blaschko and Holly Anderson, whose daughter goes to Lakeville South.

Former Lakeville resident whose three bi-racial children graduated from Lakeville schools, Timmie Harriday.

Lakeville resident and U of MN student Jace Differding doing his part to create a more welcoming and inclusive society.

Ellie Chaouch showing her support for social justice. She serves as the campaign manager for candidate Erin Preese who is running for state representative.

Demonstrators promote racial justice and human dignity.

Lakeville Residents and teachers Kasey Anderson and Angila Schmidtke. Schmidtke’s sign reads “John 13:34 Love one another, just as I love you.”

Co-founder of Lakeville Friends of the Environment, Debbie Nelson, with beloved friend Lily.

Greg was a first-timer, and was happy to show his support.

Lakeville resident and retired teacher Nancy Schmitz shows her love.

Apple Valley resident Amber Bathke with her son helping to create. an anti-racist society where “all are welcome”!

Lakeville resident Gabriela Trnjanin stand up for justice.

Lakeville resident Latisha Moening encourage drivers to honk their support for racial equality.

Lakeville residents Chuck and Elise Smith-Dewey encourage people to take action to end racism, and create Beloved Community.

Boundless Love Project Mindfulness Teacher Freeman and Lakeville resident Holly Anderson.

Join Us and Take Action!

Join the Supporting Black Lives and Unity Facebook group to connect with the demonstrators and be a part of organizing for social and racial justice.
Attend the weekly demonstration. We meet every Sunday from 3 to 4 PM at Steve Michaud Park, 17100 Ipava Ave, Lakeville, Minnesota. Questions? Contact Michelle Mark Meyer via her Facebook page.
Join the Boundless Love Project Racial Justice Caucus. We envision a world where all people are valued, appreciated, and included because they exist. Help us make it happen. If interested in learning more or joining, contact us or complete our volunteer form.
Email the Lakeville Board of Educators and encourage them to trust their teachers to decide what is best for their students and the community. Emails sent to boardofeducation@isd194.org will go to all six School Board of Education members, and six other important school district heads. Please keep your emails polite, respectful, and thoughtful. if you are from Lakeville, be sure to say that. A sample email that you can use is as follows. Feel free to cut and paste it into your email and modify it as you see fit.

SAMPLE EMAIL YOU CAN USE

To: boardofeducation@isd194.org

Dear Board of Education Members,

Thank you for your service. I am very concerned about the school district’s policy preventing teachers from showing the words “Black Lives Matter” in their classrooms. Teachers must have the freedom to make thoughtful and appropriate decisions on what messages to promote in their classrooms given their students, their curriculum, and this critical moment in time where our nation as a whole is engaged in this essential conversation about racial justice.

Teachers use this issue to teach vital lessons and skills such as critical thinking, dignity for all people, and how to have difficult conversations while being respectful to all involved, even those you disagree with. Teachers may also display “Black Lives Matter” in their classrooms to help minorities feel safer and supported in our mostly white school district. These signs help students of color identify allies whom they may feel more comfortable turning to for help in times of trouble. Student safety and inclusion are necessary for learning and success.

Every one of our students is an invaluable part of our schools; every student should be made to feel welcomed, respected, and understood. Teachers need to have the unrestricted ability to reach all of their students and to do what is best for them. Please show your faith in our teachers’ abilities to use their judgment and wisdom to make the call of whether or not to display “Black Lives Matter.”

For these reasons and others, I ask that you rescind the order prohibiting teachers from displaying “Black Lives Matter.” Please trust teachers to do what is best for their students and community. Thank you.

Sincerely,

[YOUR NAME & ADDRESS]