ST. PAUL, Minn. – State Representative John Thompson of St. Paul, who is black, accused police of racial profiling him in a traffic stop last week. Thompson said he had been at a ceremony for the fifth anniversary of the fatal police shooting of Philando Castile in a northern suburb. In a social media post Thompson said he was ticketed for “driving wall Black.” The incident led to the discovery that Thompson was driving on a license that had been renewed in 2020 but was from Wisconsin, where he once lived. In 202o he was campaigning for the Minnesota House Seat 67A. He defeated Republican John Stromenger 10,600 to 3,900. In the Democratic primary Johnson defeated Hoang Murphy 1,600 to 1,100.
Verbatim
Johnson, from his introductory message to constituents after being elected in 2020: “I was born in Chicago and grew up in Minnesota, and I’ve lived on the east side of St. Paul for over 18 years. About six years ago, I had become very close friends with Philando Castile when we both worked at St. Paul Public Schools together. The death of Philando shook my world apart. I knew that I could no longer stay silent to continue to accept this norm. This norm that as a black man, even if I obey the laws, I could still get shot and killed by the law enforcement that is supposed to protect me.”
Johnson. Never one to restrain his rhetoric. The word “outspoken” is the word that first comes to mind among friends and others to describe him. “Firebrand” too.