On Oct. 23 the Minneapolis City Council passed a resolution recognizing October 2025 as Domestic Violence Awareness Month and setting Oct. 23 as a day of remembrance for victims. Council Member Andrea Jenkins introduced the measure and invited family members of victims and advocates to address the council.

Several family members shared testimony about loved ones killed in intimate‑partner violence and criticized law enforcement investigations and state statutes. Jana Williams, the aunt of Lisonbee Lussier, said Lussier’s case should have been investigated as a homicide and called for statute and policy changes. “Lisonbee would be here today if we did not have those statutes in place,” Williams told the council.

Simone, a sister of Mariah Samuels, described the family’s grief and urged better police response and allocation of resources: “There should be no way that little Earth has to come up with its own protectors to protect its citizens,” she said, calling for the city to assign manpower and funds to protect residents. A friend of Sarah Patrick described the difficulty families face when investigators suggest theories inconsistent with evidence and called for improved sensitivity training, after-action reviews and accountability for investigators.

Advocates and service providers also spoke. Alicia Robles of Amor Pro Pio emphasized survivor support and cultural remembrance practices; Jess Pallian of Violence Free Minnesota described the network of community providers that can help survivors and urged residents to contact statewide hotlines for services.

The resolution cites national and state statistics and local cases documented by Violence Free Minnesota; it calls for increased awareness, training, prevention, investments in services and policy changes the city can influence. The council adopted the resolution by a recorded vote. Council members and advocates said they hope the designation will focus attention on prevention, victim services and improved systems for responding to intimate‑partner violence.