An exchange between Cedrick Frazier and Evan Rowe focused on whether applications for a state program providing up to 12 weeks off work due to injury or harm have been connected to the use of chemical munitions during recent federal law enforcement activity.
Frazier raised concerns about reports and video footage involving federal agents operating in the state and asked whether individuals injured in those incidents had sought assistance through the program.
“It’s one question I do have,” Frazier said.
“We’ve had some federal agents in the state recently. We’ve seen video, we’ve we’ve seen video, we’ve seen We’ve seen statements and interviews, but we’ve seen how there’s been chemical munitions used on some folks that have been out exercising their First Amendment rights, and we know that those cause harm and damage.”
He continued by asking whether those circumstances had resulted in program applications.
“So my question to you, and I know you may not have the answer this right now, and it may be a lag in it, but have you seen any of that in terms of applications that are coming out, those, those types of actions being the reason for folks needing to access this program?” Frazier said.
Rowe responded that applications have been submitted in connection with injuries sustained during recent enforcement actions.
“Commissioner, thank you, Mister Chair, and thank you for the question,” Rowe said.
“Representative Frazier and I’ll maybe ask Director Norfolk just to provide a couple, a couple brief details, but the short answer to your question is yes, as as would any circumstance that causes injury or harm to the public, I think we have seen applications that have been tied to some of the violence that we saw in the Twin cities as a result of Operation Metro surge.”
Rowe added that injuries tied to the events were not unexpected given the circumstances.
“I don’t, you know. I think we, as you would expect, if people have suffered serious injury, that is, it’s not, it’s, I guess it’s not unexpected. It’s, it’s, certainly, you know, it’s, it’s sad,” Rowe said.
He also pointed to the purpose of the leave program.
“But that is, I think one benefit of having this program is that people who have been seriously injured now have the ability to receive, you know, take time to care, and I don’t know if there’s any additional details you might provide,” Rowe said.
WATCH:
The discussion centered on whether injuries connected to Operation Metro surge have resulted in applications for the state’s injury-related leave program, which provides up to 12 weeks off work for qualifying individuals.