Roper The legacy of June 14 hinges on confronting a vicious cycle in our politics

The assassination of Rep. Melissa Hortman has intensified the conversation around declining public participation in politics, stemming from a toxic political climate. Former state Rep. Ryan Winkler revealed that Hortman faced intimidation and grew increasingly anxious about her safety in the years leading up to her death. The article proposes declaring June 14 "Minnesota Civility in Politics Day" to encourage respectful debate and civic engagement.

It highlights the need for public displays of nuanced discussions to reset political norms and restore decorum. The author shares experiences of former officials who have faced threats, illustrating the personal toll of political involvement. The article calls for quantifying the impact of this intimidation on public participation, emphasizing the difficulty of measuring absence. Readers are invited to share their stories of choosing silence over engagement due to fear of retaliation. This piece serves as a crucial moment to advocate for a shift toward a more civil political discourse in Minnesota.