Pastor who threatened Minneapolis council members set to receive new city contracts

The Minneapolis City Council is set to vote on contract extensions for Rev. Jerry McAfee’s organizations, despite concerns over his past threatening remarks towards council members. McAfee's nonprofit, Salem Inc. , is expected to receive a $303,000 contract for community trauma response services, while his church could secure an additional contract worth nearly $348,000. This comes after McAfee interrupted a council meeting in February with a homophobic outburst aimed at Council Member Jason Chavez.

The Neighborhood Safety Department initially recommended a $650,000 anti-violence contract for McAfee's nonprofit, but it was later withdrawn after two employees from another of his nonprofits faced charges in a shooting incident. City officials state that the contract extensions are based on data analysis, with compliance and performance evaluations playing crucial roles. In the five years following George Floyd's murder, Minneapolis has invested tens of millions into violence prevention programs. The upcoming vote will be critical, as it reflects ongoing tensions regarding community safety initiatives and the accountability of organizations receiving city funding. Council members will evaluate the data-backed recommendations presented by the Neighborhood Safety Department before making their decision.