Marvina Haynes
@marvinaforward4.bsky.social
170 followers 66 following 110 posts
Dedicated advocate, organizer, and foster care provider running for Minneapolis City Council, Ward 4. My vision: Create opportunities, not violence; Create resources, not deserts; Humanize my community. Join the People's Campaign: www.marvinaforward4.com
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New Justice Project Action has endorsed my campaign for Minneapolis City Council in Ward 4! ✊🏽💜

They said it best: “Marvina understands the urgency in advocating for policies that expand opportunity, reduce harm, and meet people where they are which is why we’re endorsing her for Ward 4!”
Marvina Haynes for Minneapolis Ward 4 - The People's Campaign

Organizational Endorsement: New Justice Project Action
marvinaforward4.bsky.social
His testimony isn’t just about me, it’s about the fight for justice so many families in North Minneapolis are carrying every day.

I’m running for City Council in Ward 4 because leadership should reflect that same resilience, that same truth, and that same commitment to fighting for what’s right.
marvinaforward4.bsky.social
When my brother Marvin was exonerated after 20 years of wrongful incarceration, he spoke these words:

“If it wasn’t for my sister and the Innocence Project, I wouldn’t be here. My sister lost so much trying to fight to prove my innocence. Words cannot describe what she means to me and my family.”
Marvina Haynes for Ward 4 Minneapolis City Council

“If it wasn’t for my sister and the Innocence Project, I wouldn’t be here. My sister lost so much trying to fight to prove my innocence… Words cannot describe what she means to me and my family.”

- Marvin Haynes, speaking at the press conference following his release from prison and exoneration.

MarvinaForWard4.com
Reposted by Marvina Haynes
marvinaforward4.bsky.social
New Justice Project Action has endorsed my campaign for Minneapolis City Council in Ward 4! ✊🏽💜

They said it best: “Marvina understands the urgency in advocating for policies that expand opportunity, reduce harm, and meet people where they are which is why we’re endorsing her for Ward 4!”
Marvina Haynes for Minneapolis Ward 4 - The People's Campaign

Organizational Endorsement: New Justice Project Action
Reposted by Marvina Haynes
marvinaforward4.bsky.social
I am honored to receive the endorsement of Council Member @robin4mpls.bsky.social!

Robin is a leader I deeply respect and look up to. Her courage & commitment to working families, renters; our most impacted neighbors has set the bar for what true people-powered leadership looks like in Minneapolis.
Marvina Haynes for Minneapolis Ward 4 - The People's Campaign

Elected Official Endorsement:
CM. Robin Wonsley, Council Member, Minneapolis Ward 2
marvinaforward4.bsky.social
💙 Join us in building a Minneapolis that works for the people, not the powerful:

👉🏽 Donate: secure.actblue.com/donate/marvinaforward4
👉🏽 Learn more: marvinaforward4.wixsite.com/my-site
secure.actblue.com
marvinaforward4.bsky.social
Together, we share a vision of a city where housing is a human right, environmental justice is non-negotiable, and every resident no matter their zip code has opportunity to thrive.

I’m proud to stand alongside Robin in this fight; I’m ready to carry that spirit of service to City Hall for Ward 4.
marvinaforward4.bsky.social
I am honored to receive the endorsement of Council Member @robin4mpls.bsky.social!

Robin is a leader I deeply respect and look up to. Her courage & commitment to working families, renters; our most impacted neighbors has set the bar for what true people-powered leadership looks like in Minneapolis.
Marvina Haynes for Minneapolis Ward 4 - The People's Campaign

Elected Official Endorsement:
CM. Robin Wonsley, Council Member, Minneapolis Ward 2
marvinaforward4.bsky.social
💜 North Minneapolis deserves leadership that comes from us, for us. Together, we can build a future where our children thrive and our families feel seen, heard, and supported. Make sure to vote Marvina Haynes for Minneapolis City Council Ward 4.

#MarvinaForward4 #NorthsideStrong #PeoplesCampaign 3/
marvinaforward4.bsky.social
It’s about every Northsider who has lived through housing struggles, environmental injustices, and public safety failures and still found ways to keep going. I carry those experiences with me, and I’m ready to fight for real solutions that put our community first. 2/
marvinaforward4.bsky.social
📰 Featured in North News 📰

Ward 4 voters will see familiar names on the ballot.

My resilience comes because I am a reflection of my community. When I become your next City Council Member, that’s not just history it’s a reflection of the resilience, strength, and truth of North Minneapolis. 1/
North News:

Ward 4 voters will see familiar names on the ballot.
marvinaforward4.bsky.social
New Justice Project Action has endorsed my campaign for Minneapolis City Council in Ward 4! ✊🏽💜

They said it best: “Marvina understands the urgency in advocating for policies that expand opportunity, reduce harm, and meet people where they are which is why we’re endorsing her for Ward 4!”
Marvina Haynes for Minneapolis Ward 4 - The People's Campaign

Organizational Endorsement: New Justice Project Action
Reposted by Marvina Haynes
marvinaforward4.bsky.social
💜 Big gratitude to everyone who came to our Ward 4 & Ward 5 Northside Weekend of Action door knocks!

This is what people power looks like — campaigns standing together, knocking doors, and building community.

When we unite across campaigns, we show what’s possible for Minneapolis.
Thank You for an incredible Northside Weekend of Action!
marvinaforward4.bsky.social
Special thanks to our amazing allies who joined us:

• Omar Fateh for Minneapolis Mayor 🗳️
• Ethrophic Burnett for Ward 5 ✊🏾
• Michael Wilson for Park Board 🌳
• Dan Engelhart for Park Board 🌱
• Robin Wonsley for Ward 2 💜
• And every single volunteer who showed up to put in the work 💪🏾
marvinaforward4.bsky.social
💜 Big gratitude to everyone who came to our Ward 4 & Ward 5 Northside Weekend of Action door knocks!

This is what people power looks like — campaigns standing together, knocking doors, and building community.

When we unite across campaigns, we show what’s possible for Minneapolis.
Thank You for an incredible Northside Weekend of Action!
marvinaforward4.bsky.social
Ward 4 has been overlooked for too long.

I’m running to fight for fairness, safety, and opportunity for families, workers, and our community.

💜 Together, we can build a Ward 4 where every voice matters.
👉 Learn more: MarvinaForWard4.com
Read my responses to the @startribune.com City Council guide:
Marvina Haynes
Age: 41
Neighborhood: Webber-Camden
Occupation: Direct support caregiver
Political ideology: DFL

Why are you running?
I’m running for City Council to bring equity, opportunity, and accountability to Ward 4. North Minneapolis has been overlooked for too long, with families facing housing instability, environmental injustice, rising taxes, and misallocated funding that fails to prioritize our neighborhoods. As a mother, advocate, and community leader, I know the urgent need for policies that put people first. I will advocate for affordable housing, safer neighborhoods, and stronger protections for working families. I believe in transformational reform that makes government transparent and responsive. My campaign is about ensuring residents are heard and resources are directed where they’re needed most.

What's your plan for reviving downtown?
Reviving downtown requires making it safe, vibrant, and accessible. That means investing in small businesses, affordable housing, and public spaces that welcome families and workers. While downtown is not my ward, I’ve built partnerships with other council members and unions who understand worker power is central to recovery. Together we can expand arts and culture, grow local entrepreneurship, and strengthen reliable transit. Transformational reform also means tax dollars must be used wisely, not misallocated, so investments benefit workers and residents not just developers. A people-first downtown is essential to a stronger Minneapolis. Is the city taking the right approach to public safety, and do you support retaining Police Chief Brian O‘Hara?
Public safety must mean true safety for all. When the Department of Justice released its report, Minneapolis had the chance to embrace transformational reform but instead we saw surface-level changes. I support expanding mental health crisis teams, violence prevention, and community-based initiatives while holding MPD accountable. Regarding Chief O’Hara, leadership must be judged by results: safer neighborhoods, restored trust, and accountability for misconduct. If those standards aren’t met, new leadership is needed. I will continue advocating for prevention, transparency, and community-driven safety.

What should be done differently to address homelessness and public drug use?
Homelessness is a systemic failure, not a crime. We need deeply affordable and supportive housing, along with stronger tenant protections. Encampment sweeps waste resources and deepen instability. For drug use, harm reduction, treatment, and recovery services are far more effective than criminalization. Safe spaces, outreach workers, and health partnerships save lives and build trust. Transformational reform means addressing root causes like poverty, trauma, and lack of housing, while using tax dollars for solutions instead of wasteful enforcement.

Should MPD assist with crowd control at operations where ICE is present?
No. MPD should not participate in immigration enforcement or ICE-related crowd control. Minneapolis must remain a welcoming city where residents can live without fear of deportation or intimidation. Partnering with ICE undermines trust and makes immigrant families less likely to report crimes or seek help. Local resources should be directed to protecting residents and strengthening communities—not supporting federal agencies that target our neighbors. Transformational reform in public safety requires dignity, trust, and compassion for all residents. How would you improve collaboration between the mayor's office and the City Council?
Collaboration requires transparency, shared priorities, and respect for community voices. Too often, decisions are made behind closed doors, with little accountability. I will advocate for open communication, joint planning, and early involvement of council in shaping policies. I’ve already built relationships with fellow council members, unions, and community leaders, and I know the value of partnership. Transformational reform means centering community input, ensuring tax dollars are not misallocated, and rejecting top-down, authoritarian decision-making. True collaboration means putting residents and workers before politics and tackling challenges like housing, safety, and climate justice together with unity and trust.

Who are you supporting for mayor? Explain.
I am supporting DeWayne Davis, Omar Fateh, and Jazz Hampton, leaders I’ve built strong relationships with who share my vision for equity and justice. Each has shown commitment to accountability, labor rights, and transformational reform that uplifts communities too often left behind. I believe in partnership and coalition-building, not concentration of power. My support reflects the importance of working with leaders who will collaborate with City Council, unions, and community members to make decisions rooted in transparency and fairness. Minneapolis needs a mayor who governs alongside the people.
marvinaforward4.bsky.social
I’m proud to be endorsed by my friend Dan Engelhart - candidate for MPRB District 1, union leader, and community organizer. ✊🏽

Dan stands with working families and knows what it means to fight for justice and equity.

I’m honored to have his support as we build a people-powered campaign for Ward 4.
Community Endorsement:

I’m supporting Marvina Haynes for City Council, because our neighbors in Ward 4 deserve a strong leader who will fight for them. 

Marvina definitely understands justice and has a proven record of helping wrongfully incarcerated people to get exonerated. 

She also advocates for our housed & unhoused neighbors, and is the type of strong leader who will be able to do the work with the majority of the City Council to bring positive change to the community.”

- Dan Engelhart, DFL Endorsed Candidate for MPRB District 1, Union & Community Organizer
marvinaforward4.bsky.social
Join Team Marvina today, Sun, Sept 21st, for our canvass with Team @omarfatehmn.com

🕐 Time: 1 – 4 PM
📍 Meet-up Location: Folwell Park, 1615 Dowling Ave N.

Bring your energy, walking shoes, and a friend — let’s get out the vote & keep building power in Ward 4! 💜

RSVP: mobilize.us/omarfatehfor...
Door Knock with Team Marvina & Team Fateh

Sunday, Sept. 21st, 1-4pm
Thursday, Sept 25th, 5:30-8pm
Sunday, Sept. 28th, 1-4pm
marvinaforward4.bsky.social
This is about accountability, transparency, and power for renters. It’s one step toward building strong tenant unions and ending the cycle of slumlords exploiting our communities.

When I’m elected to City Council, I will always stand up for renters. 4/
marvinaforward4.bsky.social
👉 Right now, landlords can let their properties fall apart and still cruise through license renewals. STOP Slumlords changes that by requiring a public City Council vote before licenses are renewed for the 8,000 units already below city standards. 3/
marvinaforward4.bsky.social
City Council members are moving forward to protect tenants and our living spaces.

We are tired of living in unsafe conditions, watching our buildings deteriorate, and paying more than 50% of our income to landlords who profit while ignoring basic needs. 2/
marvinaforward4.bsky.social
📢 Ward 4 Community — Are you a renter / tenant?

If so, this fight is about you. We’re at City Hall pushing for the STOP Slumlords Ordinance (Slumlord Tier Oversight and Protection).

✊🏽 Show up and speak out:
🗓 September 30th
📍 Minneapolis City Hall
🎤 Public comment onMar STOP Slumlords! 1/
Marvina Haynes at City Hall pushing for the STOP Slumlords Ordinance (Slumlord Tier Oversight and Protection). Rentals are our homes.
Slumlords = allowing exploitation + violence!
Stop this practice!
Reposted by Marvina Haynes
marvinaforward4.bsky.social
Team Marvina & Team @omarfatehmn.com are hitting the doors! Bring a friend, every conversation we have brings us closer to winning for our community.💜

- Thurs, Sept. 18, 5:30–8 PM
- Sun, Sept. 21, 1–4 PM
- Thurs, Sept. 25, 5:30–8 PM
- Sun, Sept. 28, 1–4 PM

RSVP: www.mobilize.us/omarfatehfor...
Team Marvina & Team 
@omarfatehmn.com
 are hitting the doors! Bring a friend, every conversation we have brings us closer to winning for our community.💜

- Thurs, Sept. 18,  5:30–8 PM
- Sun, Sept. 21,  1–4 PM
- Thurs, Sept. 25,  5:30–8 PM
- Sun, Sept. 28,  1–4 PM

RSVP: https://www.mobilize.us/omarfatehformayor/event/842471/