Carjacked DFLer Criticized Over 'Dismantle' MPLS Police Position

MINNEAPOLIS — The second vice chairwoman of the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party is calling for tougher consequences for criminals after she was beaten and carjacked in front of her young children at her home in Minneapolis on Tuesday.

But Shivanthi Sathanandan is also drawing criticism over her previous call to dismantle the Minneapolis Police Department in the days after the killing of George Floyd in 2020.

"We are going to dismantle the Minneapolis Police Department," Sathanandan wrote on June 5, 2020.

"LISTEN and LEARN from our Black siblings. And then AMPLIFY this message right now, in this moment. MPD has systematically failed the Black Community, they have failed ALL OF US. It's time to build a new infrastructure that works for ALL communities. If you are still disagreeing with that BASIC FACT, I'm not sure what to say to you."

Minneapolis voters ultimately rejected a measure in 2021 that would have dismantled and replaced the city's police force.

Sathanandan's post from three years ago is contrasted with her message after Tuesday's attack, which called for politicians to be tougher on crime: "Look at my face. REMEMBER ME when you are thinking about supporting letting juveniles and young people out of custody to roam our streets instead of HOLDING THEM ACCOUNTABLE FOR THEIR ACTIONS."

Sathanandan's post included an image of herself bloodied by the attack.

"This is the face of a mother who just listened to her four-year-old daughter screaming non-stop, her 7-year-old son wailing for someone to come help because bad guys are murdering his Mama in the back yard, her neighbors screaming in outrage... all while being beaten with guns and kicks and fists."

Sathananda was left with a broken leg, deep lacerations on her head, and bruising.

She thanked the Minneapolis police, Mayor Jacob Frey, emergency responders, and others "who all came to our aide during this terrifying experience. I'm so grateful for this community that wraps us in love."

Patch has reached out to Shivanthi Sathanandan for comment.