Richfield Mayor Emphasizes Importance of Leadership, Community Involvement in Continuing Dr. King's Mission

joined metro area pastors and more than 100 residents from Richfield and several nearby communities to commemorate the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. at the Richfield Evangelical Lutheran Church Monday afternoon.

The mayor’s speech, given as part of an hour-long celebration that included prayer, singing, scripture readings and a dramatic recitation of Dr. King’s “I Have A Dream Speech," emphasized the importance of leadership in the city while acknowledging that communities across the nation that continue to face challenges similar to those confronted by Dr. King.

“It’s not that we don’t have discrimination. We still do. It’s alive and well,” Goettel said at the speech’s outset.

She cited the steering that goes on in Richfield, amongst her own Latino constituents from the lower east side, as a prime example of such discriminatory efforts at the local level.

Citing the growing economic disparities characterizing the national economy, Goettel blamed policymakers for the shortsightedness of decision-making that leaves more and more residents in dire financial straits.

“I see it more evident than anywhere in our schools. When I see that 60 percent of our children are eating free and reduced-price lunches,” Goettel said amidst a smattering of “Amens” and other agreements from the crowd. “Those children are our future ... Why aren’t we giving them every single resource available?”

Walking back and forth energetically, Goettel’s speech ended on a more hopeful tone.

“I have hope. I have hope because of the community I have here right in Richfield,” she said. “If you want that moral standing in your community then you need to be a part of your community so your voice is heard ... and it won’t be heard if you’re sitting down as a couch potato, watching the NFL game.”

In addition to Goettel's speech, pastors from five different area congregations helped coordinate the event. Offerings from the event benefitted the ministry of VEAP (Volunteers Enlisted to Assist People), which is dedicated to providing basic services like food, shelter and clothing to community members in Richfield, Bloomington, Edina and the South Minneapolis area.