Politics & Government

Stadium Opponents Accused of 'Silence.' Were You Silent?

If you were a stadium opponent, did you speak out? Why or why not?

Tuesday morning, the Star-Tribune accused stadium opponents of being quiet in the face of last week's Minneapolis City Council vote on the stadium deal.

Although the issue deeply divided the council and city voters, progressive activists that propelled a stadium referendum requirement into the city charter 15 years ago were largely absent when the provision faced its first real test. Even signs that occasionally appeared at forums and hearings, "Stop Stadium Taxes," were recycled from an earlier stadium push in Anoka County.

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Dave Bicking, a progressive activist who has run for council, theorized outside the council chambers after the final vote that anti-stadium activists are disillusioned by many local decisions that have ignored public opinion.

"People are disgusted," Bicking said. "They aren't ready to show up. I'm discouraged from that standpoint. I'd like to see 1,000 angry people here. But I also understand where they're coming from."

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However, on Southwest Minneapolis Patch have declared their opposition to the stadium deal. Many councilmembers also said they were bombarded by messages from constituents on either side of the issue.

If you were an opponent, how loudly did you declare your opposition? Did you call your councilmember? If you didn't, why did you stay silent?


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