Current Projects
Knock First Minnesota
Pictured above: Sarah Murtada, Yastril Nañez, Jess Palyan, Kathryn Quinlan, and Christiane Dos Santos at the Justice for Amir Locke & All Stolen Lives demonstration.
Mission Statement:
Knock First Minnesota is a non-partisan initiative created by the Community Justice Project of the University of St. Thomas School of Law. The mission of this initiative is to ban the use of no-knock warrants in Minnesota through comprehensive legislation. Our vision is that every Minnesotan will have the opportunity to answer the door.
Knock First Minnesota takes a non-partisan approach to achieving the abolishment of no-knock warrants due to the bi-partisan nature of Minnesota’s state government. Knock First Minnesota believes the abolishment of no-knock warrants is a universal issue which can only be solved by gaining support from people of all political beliefs.
Model Legislation Changes:
Knock First Minnesota Model Legislation 2022
Knock First Minnesota Analysis of the New No-Knock Rules in Minneapolis
Media:
WCCO Radio - No Knock Warrants: University of St. Thomas students advocating for changes
KSTP - As confusion surrounds Minneapolis policy, groups renew push for ‘no-knock’ ban
KSTP - Minneapolis City Council debates ‘no-knock’ search warrant policy
Kare 11 - St. Thomas law student helps head initiative to end no-knock warrants
Kare 11 - Minneapolis leaders meet to discuss no-knock warrant policies
MPR - Minneapolis council questions Frey on 'no-knock' warrants policy
Excited Delirium and the Dangers of Chemical and Physical Restraint
Mission:
Originating with the infamous Minneapolis Ketamine Studies in 2018, this project explores the dangers of both chemical and physical restraint and the controversial diagnosis of Excited Delirium. The project aims to remove Excited Delirium from police and medical training and restrict the use of dangerous restraints.
Media:
Excited Delirium: The Connection Between George Floyd and Elijah McClain
Jess Palyan discusses ketamine and excited delirium with Paul and Jordana
The case for scrapping 'excited delirium'
‘Excited Delirium’ Endures in Probes Into Deaths in Custody
Excited Delirium: How A Controversial Disease is Used to Justify Police Violence: Expert Panel January 11, 2022
Student moderators Jess Palyan and Kathryn Quinlan (UST Law '22) are joined by: Dr. Michael Freeman; Dr. Brant Mittler; Commissioner Abigail Cerra, Chair of the Minneapolis Police Conduct Oversight Commission (PCOC); and Communities United Against Police Brutality founder Michelle Gross to explore the history and misuse of the diagnosis, as well as exploring solutions to this issue.
Legal Rights Center Trial Legal Education pt.9 - Excited Delirium
Our community partner, The Legal Rights Center, in conjunction with Line Break Media, produced this video on Excited Delirium in preparation for the Derek Chauvin trial in 2021. Law student practitioner research on the topic was provided to the LRC to assist in the making of this informative video.