Resistance

We are all Minnesotans. Our humanity is linked. Every little bit of community care, support, and push back matters. Strength in numbers, it’s up to us; encourage your circles to put economic pressure on companies supporting what is happening. While we donate and feed each other spiritually and physically, we need accountability from those in power which is why I support the National Shutdown and will close my online shop tomorrow.

(This graphic is from Caravan Beads in Portland, Maine. They have chosen to close for business but to have their doors open for community and creativity tomorrow.)

I follow Tad Stoermer and look forward to reading his upcoming book "A Resistance History of the United States", these points came from him:

Senate Democrats are not powerless. They can:

* Object to unanimous consent and slow the Senate to a crawl

* Force full votes on ICE & DHS funding

* Block expedited bills until ICE escalation stops

* Condition funding (no warrants, no raids, no deployment without consent)

* Demand hearings, documents, and testimony

* Force recorded votes and put every senator on the record

* Trigger GAO investigations

* Create legal records courts can act on

They can’t pass bills alone but they can disrupt, delay, defund, expose, and force confrontation.

If ICE escalation continues, it’s not because Congress is powerless.

It’s because they’re choosing not to fight.

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If you have the 5Calls app, it's really easy to contact your representative. My husband chooses to email the reps most of the time and I do the calling.

Hold them accountable. A sample script for calls:

"Hi, my name is <your full name>

I’m a constituent of <City, State>

ICE is escalating deployments, violating due process, and using violence against civilians. I’m calling to ask what specific procedural actions the Senator is taking right now in the Senate to stop further ICE escalation. The Senate is not a majoritarian body. Senators can object to unanimous consent, force full procedure, delay floor business, and force recorded votes - especially on DHS and ICE funding. Is the Senator using those tools? If not, why? I don’t want statements of concern. I want to know what procedural leverage the Senator is applying today. Please record my call and tell the Senator I expect them to use every available Senate rule to force accountability until ICE deployments stop."

A sample letter Scott recently wrote to our Senator:

"No Senator should vote yes on any bill that continues to fund ICE. No matter what other things are attached to the bill which are good, that does not matter at this point. ICE is a federally funded domestic terrorist group. It claims it has legal Constitutional rights it does not have. It is being protected by a web of lies coming from the highest levels of our government. As United States Senators, all of you have the responsibility to be far more active in stopping this outrageous behavior by our own government against the American people. All of us must resist in every way we can think of, especially our state Senators. I don't need you to send back an answer that recaps what is happening, we all see it every day. I don't need you to tell me how horrified you are, I feel it. I don't need you to tell me anything except what concrete actions you and the other Democrats and hopefully Republicans are doing to STOP ICE's reign of lawless terror against innocent people."

If you are looking for ways to help Minnesotans, a non-exhaustive list of ideas would be to buy a gift certificate from a local business to use later if they've been closed due to ICE activity, many people are struggling to pay rent and buy food so sending money if possible to mutual aid organizations in MN: look for ideas in this link tree here and also here https://www.standwithminnesota.com/ Talk to others about what you are seeing, and if you know anyone who is rejecting the evidence of their eyes while believing the lies, engage them in civil conversation about due process. No one wants violence and crime in their communities, especially not perpetrated by our own government using our tax dollars. Every victim deserves justice, every person here in the US has Constitutional rights. Protest the use of tyranny and terrorism in our streets, masked secret police, racial profiling, and military force used against citizens and residents. 

I am encouraging local activity for all of us. Keep building your community networks. If you are in WA State consider joining the Take Action Network (TAN) to help you stay informed and active in legislature--it is easier than you think to follow what's happening and see results from your activism using TAN. Perhaps your state has something similar. Places to donate are ACLU, local immigration rights organizations like the Northwest Immigrant Rights Project, mutual aid orgs helping keep people housed, or assisting in safe housing for the unhoused. If you aren't an organizer, be a follower. Join a movement that is doing good work that you believe in--they need you!

Stay soft, and "if your heart is breaking, I hope it's breaking open." (from the Bengsons, "Keep Going" click to listen)

Everyone has a role in revolution. What is within your reach? Most sustained change does not come from the loudest people, it comes from those organizing, teaching, and being honest.