Civic Pledge for a Better Minnesota Signing Event in Mankato on September 16th
As part of the statewide What We Can Do Weeks initiative, elected officials, community leaders, and the public are invited to a special event to sign the Civic Pledge for a Better Minnesota, affirming a commitment to reject political violence and foster civic trust.
The event will be held Tuesday, September 16 from 12:00–1:00pm at the Bridge Plaza building in Mankato. Attendees will have the opportunity to publicly sign the pledge, connect with others committed to strengthening our democratic republic, and learn more about how small actions can lead to meaningful change.
“Signing the Civic Pledge is a simple but powerful act,” said Shannon Watson, executive director of Majority in the Middle. “It’s a way to say, ‘I believe in a Minnesota where we can disagree without being disagreeable, and where we work together to make things better.’”
“We’ve spent years in a political and media environment that rewards bad behavior.” said Nathan Stock, a conflict resolution expert and partner in the initiative. “Signing this pledge is a meaningful step toward building a civic coalition that demands something better.”
The event is free and open to the public, but advance RSVPs are required at www.whatwecandoweek.org/pledge.
The Civic Pledge for a Stronger Minnesota is part of What We Can Do Weeks, a nonpartisan initiative designed as an opportunity to bridge divides, improve trust, and empower civility to ultimately support peaceful political engagement and the rejection of political violence. The initiative was launched in late July, in response to the violence against members of the Minnesota Legislature in June 2025, and work has continued into the fall. Civic Pledge events are taking place across Minnesota throughout September.
