Early Learning books donated to ECI

FAIRMONT — Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation (SMIF) recently distributed 295 books to Fairmont Area Early Childhood Initiative to support early literacy efforts during this time of distance learning. These books were donated by Mankato-based publishing company ABDO.

The books received will be used for distribution through English Language learner instruction and various ECI partners to encourage books in every household for every family. Fairmont Area Early Childhood Initiative is coordinated through the Fairmont Community Education and Recreation program and includes representation from local public and parochial preschools/early childhood family education, Building Blocks Childcare and Learning Center, public health, human services, HeadStart, Kinship of Martin County, Chamber of Commerce, Reach Out and Read, County Commissioner and individual advocates of early learning. “What an awesome gift to receive for our community of young learners and so appreciated during these unprecedented and challenging times,” commented Roni Dauer, ECI Coordinator/CER Director.

For questions about SMIF’s Early Childhood programming and early literacy efforts, contact Rae Jean Hansen, vice president of early childhood at (507) 214-7012 or raejeanh@smifoundation.org or Roni Dauer, Fairmont ECI and Community Education and Recreation at (507) 235-3141, rdauer@fairmont.k12.mn.us.

US embassies in Africa speak up on Floyd

JOHANNESBURG (AP) — As Minneapolis burns over the police killing of George Floyd and shock and disappointment in Africa grow, some U.S. embassies on the continent have taken the unusual step of issuing critical statements, saying no one is above the law.

The statements came as the head of the African Union Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat, condemned the ìmurderî of Floyd and said Friday the continental body rejects the ìcontinuing discriminatory practices against black citizens of the USA.î

Floyd, a handcuffed black man, died after a police officer pressed his knee into his neck for several minutes even after he stopped moving and pleading for air.

Africa has not seen the kind of protests over Floydís killing that have erupted across the United States, but many Africans have expressed disgust and dismay, openly wondering when the U.S. will ever get it right.

“WTF? “When the looting starts the shooting starts“?” tweeted political cartoonist Patrick Gathara in Kenya, which has its own troubles with police brutality. He, like many, was aghast at the tweet by President Donald Trump, flagged by Twitter as violating rules against “glorifying violence,” that the president later said had been misconstrued.