Governor Walz Announces Appointments to the Governor’s Council Recording the Truth of Operation Metro Surge and Operation PARRIS on Minnesotans
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Note: This press release is from the Office of Governor Tim Walz and Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
June 1, 2026
Contact: Maren Stewart maren.stewart@state.mn.us
612-594-1721
[ST. PAUL, MN] - Governor Tim Walz today announced appointments to the Governor's Council on Recording the Truth of Operation Metro Surge and Operation PARRIS on Minnesotans.
"Documenting history requires trusted leaders who are committed to listening, preserving people's experiences, and ensuring that Minnesota's story is not forgotten," said Governor Walz."These council members bring deep expertise, lived experience, and a shared commitment to the truth. Their work will help create a lasting public record of both the harm endured and the resilience Minnesotans demonstrated during this difficult chapter in our state's history."
Chair
Honorable Peter Cahill - Plymouth, MN
Members
Ana Pottratz Acosta - Saint Paul, MN
Kate Beane - Saint Paul, MN
Jenna Chernega - Winona, MN
Abdulahi Farah - Bloomington, MN
Pakou Hang - Inver Grove Heights, MN
Liliana Letran-Garcia - Fridley, MN
Kathleen Miller - Minneapolis, MN
Fionnuala Ni Aolain - Hopkins, MN
Roger New - Inver Grove Heights, MN
Jose Pablo Obregon - Willmar, MN
Zena Stenvik - Columbia Heights, MN
Gary Wertish - Renville, MN
About Honorable Peter Cahill:
The Honorable Peter A. Cahill is a distinguished Minnesota jurist and former judge of the Fourth Judicial District in Hennepin County, where he served from 2007 until his retirement in 2024. Appointed to the bench by Governor Tim Pawlenty, Judge Cahill brought more than four decades of legal experience in public defense, private practice, and prosecution, including senior leadership roles with the Hennepin County Attorney's Office. He is widely recognized for his commitment to the fair administration of justice, judicial transparency, and public service, including his service as the presiding judge in the 2021 trial of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin following the death of George Floyd.
About the Council:
The Governor's Council on Recording the Truth of Operation Metro Surge and Operation PARRIS is tasked with creating a public record of both the harm endured and the generosity and resilience demonstrated by Minnesotans. Made up of leaders representing a range of expertise and perspectives, the Council will gather testimony, data, and firsthand accounts to ensure people's experiences are documented, preserved, and heard. The Council will also develop recommendations to help prevent future harm and support the state's long-term recovery.
The American Civil Liberties Union of Minnesota and The Advocates for Human Rights each appoint one member to serve on the Council. The Advocates for Human Rights are collecting stories documenting individuals' experiences during Operation Metro Surge and Operation PARRIS. More information is available here.
To learn more about the Council, please visit the Council's website.
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