🌱 Chauvin Faces New Lawsuits + Free YMCA For Teens + Student Protests

Hello all. I'm Helen Eckhard and I'm filling in for your usual curator today. Now, here are all the most important things to know about what's happening locally.

First, today's weather:

Partly sunny. High: 69 Low: 53.

Here are the top 3 stories today in Minneapolis:

1. Two lawsuits were filed yesterday against Derek Chauvin, the former Minneapolis police officer who is currently in prison for the May 2020 murder of George Floyd. The lawsuits allege that Chauvin previously used excessive force during a different arrest in 2017. The City of Minneapolis and seven other officers with the Minneapolis Police Department are also named in the lawsuits. (WCCO)
2. Between now and Aug. 31, teens across the Twin Cities will be eligible for free memberships through the YMCA. The summer program, which is currently in its sixth year, provides unlimited access to health and well-being classes, gyms, fitness floors, and aquatic areas. Teens in grades 9-12 throughout the metro area can participate for free. (KARE11.com)
3. Student activists planned a rally to protest gun violence in Minneapolis yesterday. The demonstrators' agenda began with a student walkout at 12:30 p.m. and culminated in a rally at U.S. Bank Stadium later that afternoon. Officials with Minneapolis Public Schools issued a statement to parents last Friday confirming students' First Amendment right to peacefully assemble. (Bring Me The News)

Today in Minneapolis:

• Walker Library Chess Club At Walker Community Library (5:30 PM)
• Free Zumba Wednesday At The Cultural Wellness Center (7:00 PM)
• Trivia Mafia At Finnegans Brew Co. (7:00 PM)
• Minnesota JCC Symphony Orchestra Spring Concert At Minnesota Jewish Community Center (7:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Couldn't make it to Art-A-Whirl? Meet Minneapolis has put together a roundup of all the neighborhood art fairs and festivals slated to hit the city this summer. (Facebook)
• Glitz! Grandeur! Glory! "Moulin Rouge! The Musical" is playing at the Orpheum Theatre now through Jun. 5. Get your tickets today! (MPLS Downtown Council)
• The first episode of "Farm to Market," a podcast from the Minneapolis Farmers Market, is out now! Give it a listen at the link. (Facebook)

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You're all caught up for today. I'll be back in your inbox tomorrow with a new update!

— Helen Eckhard

About me: Helen Eckhard is a marketing assistant at Lightning Media Partners. She is a self-professed logophile who is currently pursuing her master’s degree in library science. Outside of work, you can find Helen constructing crossword puzzles, knitting, or devising increasingly crafty ways to kill off characters in her mystery novels.