Media Advisory: Hundreds to Rally at the State Capitol to End Legal Slavery in Minnesota
SAINT PAUL (April 30, 2026) — Minnesota was the first state to join the fight against slavery during the Civil War, but now we’ve fallen behind states like Alabama and Tennessee in removing it from our constitution.
Minnesota considers itself a progressive leader, but the state constitution still allows slave labor “as punishment for a crime.” That means that people in prison—our parents, siblings, neighbors and fellow Minnesotans—are not only deprived of their freedom; they are forced to work for pennies in dehumanizing conditions.
On Tuesday, May 5, hundreds of residents will mobilize at the State Capitol to call on lawmakers to pass bills that would End Slavery in Minnesota’s constitution and in its prisons.
“Across the state, incarcerated people work meaningless jobs for as little as $0.25 per hour, forcing families to send money to their loved ones for basic necessities like hygiene products, and keeping Minnesotans stuck in cycles of poverty and crime when they return from prison without the savings to survive or the skills to get good jobs,” said Chauntyll Allen, Executive Director of the End Slavery in Minnesota Coalition. “Passing two critical bills in the state legislature would ensure incarcerated workers earn minimum wage, reduce recidivism in communities across the state and promote economic development that would benefit all Minnesota taxpayers.”
Media is invited to attend the rally in the Capitol rotunda at 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 5. Speakers will include:
Minnesotans who have been directly impacted by prison slavery
Senator Bobby Joe Champion and Representative Cedric Frazier, who are carrying bills to end slavery in Minnesota’s constitution and its prisons
Chauntyll Allen, Executive Director of the End Slavery in Minnesota coalition
Labor leaders from SEIU and the AFL-CIO
and more!
Questions from media, please contact 651-238-2424 or carolyn.szczepanski@gmail.com