GRAND RAPIDS — A small group gathered in Grand Rapids on Thursday, Nov. 13, in the name of civility.
Current and former state legislators, city councilors and business and other community leaders signed the Civic Pledge for a Stronger Minnesota, taking a small step toward bridging divides, improving trust and empowering civility.
“There are no easy solutions to the challenges facing our state and our country. But steps like this, signing this pledge and living into the values that it embodies — that matters,” Nathan Stock told the dozen who had gathered at Rapids Brewing Co. for the event. Stock is a conflict resolution expert and the founder and principal of CRD Connect.
This was the first pledge signing event in the area, but there have been others across the state.
The effort was created earlier this year by nonpartisan civic and political engagement nonprofit Majority in the Middle and its partners in response to the politically motivated assassination of Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman and her husband and the shooting of state Sen. John Hoffman and his wife.
Pledge signers agree to peaceful engagement, work in good faith to resolve disputes and find common ground and reject political violence and violent rhetoric.
"This is not an exercise in ‘Kumbaya.’ Our leaders, our political parties, should reflect our passions, our positions. The essence of democracy is constructive disagreement,” Stock said.
“But we can engage in politics and civic life without casting each other as enemies. If we do that, we can change the incentives that reward demonization.”
After signing, state Rep. Spencer Igo, R-Wabana Township, recounted the 2022 election, when he and DFL Rep. Julie Sandstede were drawn into the same area after redistricting.
“We ran an entire election without once casting a stone against each other,” he said. “And we were both really, really proud of that.”
Igo and state Sen. Grant Hauschild, D-Hermantown, sat next to each other at Wednesday's event. Despite their disagreements, the Iron Range lawmakers work together often.
“Unfortunately, we live in a time where, if you work in compromise, you’re the bad guy,” Igo said.
President of the Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce April Arnason said she signed the pledge for personal and professional reasons.
“Sometimes we can’t make everybody happy, but we all need to be able to have dialogue,” she said. “With that professional hat, I’ll sign it. But also, as a person and resident of Minnesota, a resident of this city, I am the majority in the middle.”
The Civic Pledge for a Stronger Minnesota isn’t just for leaders and politicians. Anyone can sign the pledge online.
“[Civility] starts at the Legislature with people like Grant and I,” Igo said. “But also requires our communities as well. ... If we want to change things, it’s going to require us to start talking to our friends, families and neighbors, that we need to bring the temperature down.”
