Stay Curious. Stay Connected.
MailNewsletters♡Donate Now
Sign up
*Password must be at least 8 characters and contain one uppercase letter, one lowercase letter, one number and one symbol.
Already have an account?
By submitting, you consent that you are at least 18 years of age and to receive information about MPR's or APMG entities' programs and offerings. The personally identifying information you provide will not be sold, shared, or used for purposes other than to communicate with you about MPR, APMG entities, and its sponsors. You may opt-out at any time clicking the unsubscribe link at the bottom of any email communication. View our Privacy Policy.
Sign in to your profile
Forgot Password?
New to MPR News?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Reset Password

Enter the username on file and we'll send you a code to reset your password.

Still require assistance or not sure what your User Name is?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Email Verification

A verification code has been emailed to

Still awaiting the code?
MPR News Staff

Mpls. fire officials to boycott Indiana over 'freedom' law

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Log inCreate a free Account

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!

Updated: 7 p.m. | Posted: 2:30 p.m.

Minneapolis fire officials will not travel to Indiana for a professional conference in protest of a new law there viewed as discriminatory against gay people.

Mayor Betsy Hodges confirmed Wednesday that Chief John Fruetel has decided not to send representatives to the conference as they usually do, supporting the mayor's position. Hodges said she's also asked the Minneapolis City Council to forbid the use of city funds for official business travel to Indiana.

Minneapolis government becomes the latest organization to boycott Indiana over that state's recently enacted law allowing state businesses to refuse to serve same-sex couples based on religious grounds.

Supporters insisted it was a "religious freedom" bill that did not target discrimination against gay people. But the backlash has been intense. Lawmakers there recently promised to clarify the law.

"When weighed against the law that is in place there and the fact that we have a very diverse city workforce, that it's important not to be investing in that kind of bigotry," Hodges said.

The Council will vote on a proposal Friday that would prohibit using Minneapolis city funds to travel to Indiana.

St. Paul isn't calling for a travel ban, according to Mayor Chris Coleman's Communications Director Tonya Tennessen, even though Coleman and Hodges released a joint statement calling for the Indiana law's repeal.

The St. Paul Fire Department wasn't sending anyone to the conference in Indianapolis.