The LPMN made another outreach appearance in August, returning to the annual Vans Warped Tour music festival in Shakopee. An event featuring punk rock, thrash metal, and other alternative genres, the Vans Warped Tour attracted fans from throughout Minnesota and western Wisconsin. Volunteers had the opportunity to connect with many who already agree with our steadfast support for the freedom of self-expression and opposition to censorship.
The LPMN's affiliate, Outright Libertarians, returned again this year to the Gay Pride festival at Loring Park, Minneapolis, in June. It was an opportunity for libertarians to stand in support of the GLBT community and for everyone's freedom to associate with others of their choice, without restriction from government.
Constitutional Candidates is a television show hosted by Sue Jeffers which interviews candidates from all parties. Although it's not focused on libertarianism, she is willing to interview candidates from minor parties.
It appears regularly in the following areas:
Valley Access Area based in Stillwater: Wednesdays at 1:00pm and 7:00pm, Thursdays at 9:00pm
Minneapolis: Tuesdays at 5:30pm
St. Paul: Fridays at 6:00pm, Saturdays at 1:00am and 11:00am
The LPMN chair, Bob Odden, produces the television show Libertarian Viewpoint and is working to have it shown throughout the state. Currently it has a strong presence in the metro area. The August 2010 schedule is:
Thursday, August 5, 2010 at 4:30pm
Wednesday, August 11, 2010 at 6:00am
Saturday, August 21, 2010 at 6:30pm
If you're in the metro, the public access channel is probably #17.
At the State Convention on April 24, the LPMN approved delegates to represent Minnesota at the National Libertarian Convention in St. Louis on May 22, filled vacant Executive Committee positions, approved a series of changes to its Bylaws to allow endorsement of candidates of other political parties, nominated Libertarian candidates for two metro-area races, and considered requests for endorsement by candidates of other parties.
Restrictions against texting-while-driving were debated at the University of Minnesota in January, in a panel discussion on technology and civil liberties. Libertarians were invited to participate in a forum organized by the Political Science Department for 300 metro-area junior and senior high school students. Three panel sessions were held on various current issues, with over 75 students participating in the texting-while-driving forum.
The LPMN is pleased to announce that registration is now open for the 2010 state convention, to be held on April 24. Attendance is open to the public. It's an opportunity for the public to hear distinguished Libertarian speakers as well as for members to conduct business. Early registration is requested but not required; those interested in attending may arrive the day of the convention.
During this year's business meeting there are proposed party bylaw changes. Below are a two documents for attendees to read in advance. Copies will also be passed out at the convention:
Speakers for the 2010 LPMN State Convention are Dr. Mary Ruwart, Ph.D. and Pat Anderson.
Dr. Mary Ruwart was a contender for the 2008 Libertarian Party presidential nomination, is a longtime liberty activist, pharmaceutical research scientist and healthcare expert, and author of the book Healing Our World.
Pat Anderson is a candidate for Minnesota State Auditor, former Mayor of Eagan, businesswoman, and President of the Free Market Institute.
Libertarians and liberty-supporters are encouraged to support our endorsed candidates this November. While odd-year municipal elections tend to receive minimal publicity by the media and lower turnout by the general public, it also affords libertarians an opportunity to have an outsized impact on the election results. Also, for the first time, Minneapolis residents will have a chance to try out the new Ranked Choice Voting method (Instant Runoff Voting), which the Libertarian Party had endorsed before its approval by city voters in 2006.
Mary O'Connor, Libertarian Party of Minnesota endorsed candidate, is running for a seat on the school board of Brooklyn Center school district 286. There will be a debate Tuesday, October 13th starting at 7:00pm at the Brooklyn Center City Hall. She will be debating three other candidates.
If you have any questions or would like additional details, please contact the LPMN at 763-561-8038 or info@lpmn.org.
The Vans Warped Tour, a festival of alternative, punk, metal, and rap music, came to Shakopee in August. Several thousand people, mostly young adults, enjoyed an afternoon of freedom of expression with music by their favorite bands.
The LPMN is pleased to announce that registration is now open for the 2010 state convention, to be held on April 24. Attendance is open to the public. It's an opportunity for the public to hear distinguished Libertarian speakers as well as for members to conduct business. Early registration is requested but not required; those interested in attending may arrive the day of the convention.
