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It’s Chris Conry and Arianna Genis. Last week we launched our weekly digest with you, as a part of our #BelieveResist work, and the response was fantastic. So many of you opened our email and clicked through the articles. 

 The digest is our way of sharing what we are, in some ways obsessively, reading — news, long articles, books. history, political theory —  anything we think can help us understand what’s going on and to identify what we can do.

Here’s what our staff has been reading this week, what we’re calling our key reads. Take it in and then respond to this email letting us know, what are you reading right now? What’s helping you understand this moment in our history? 

1. The Fugitive Slave Act & the President’s Executive Order on Immigration 

Ready to dig into some serious history? Read this comparison of the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850 galvanized abolitionist movement to the mass protests and strong opposition that accompanied President Trump’s executive order on immigration.

2. Wondering what the GOP Congress has in mind when they talk about replacing the Affordable Care Act? 

Here’s a good rundown on their ideas and the current debate within the party. Spoiler: none of these ideas are good.… Continue reading »

     

 When I woke up on November 9th I realized I have a lot to learn. About my state, about my country, about the progressive movement. 

Since then, when I’ve had a spare moment, I’ve been reading.  A lot.  Obsessively.  News.  Long articles.  Books.  History.  Political Theory.  Everything I could think of to help me understand what’s going on and what I can do.

This is true for many of us at TakeAction, including Arianna, our digital organizer. Once we connected about it we realized that this feeling is probably true for many, many others. So, in the spirit of experimentation and learning, we wanted share what our staff and members have been reading recently.  Once a week. With you. Here it is. 

1. Trump administration attempts to silence climate justice movement, rogue national park accounts emerge  

A new Twitter account called “AltUSNatParkService” appeared Tuesday afternoon and began tweeting facts about climate change, support for the National Parks and comments in opposition of President Trump, a critic of climate change. We love it. Read more about it here. 

2. An intro. to one of the President’s key policy thinkers.

As all of the White House hiring is being announced, this profile of Stephen Miller from June of 2016 seemed relevant again.… Continue reading »

On January 21st, TakeAction board members, staff members, and leaders marched in the Women’s March in St. Paul. Take a look at why we marched, and then sign up for what’s next – action!

We’re doing weekly phone banks at TakeAction’s office in St. Paul to make sure the energy, determination, and resistance we felt at Saturday’s march continues for Trump’s first 100 days and beyond. Every Tuesday night from 6pm to 9pm we’ll put our marching feet to work on the phones, calling Minnesotans around the state and asking them to call their elected officials on the most pressing issues of the week.  To sign up for next Tuesday night’s phone bank, click here.

Amanda Otero, Arique Aquilar, Elizabeth Lienesch, TakeAction staff

We marched for renewed hope, to know that we’re not alone, and because it was a chance to be surrounded by people ready to act.

Mihiret Abrahim, TakeAction board member

My daughter, and I went because it’s bigger than pussy hats for us. I marched because I’m proud of how many people were also marching and have been engaged in this moment. But more than that, organizing and resisting is something I do because it’s not an option for me.… Continue reading »

     

 

Last week, we let you know you could expect a weekly action alert from us with ways to act. Here it is. Now is the time to RESIST the hate the Trump administration is putting forward and to build the world we BELIEVE in. Already we have seen the President’s quick action to dismantle progressive gains made at the national level and instill fear, division, and cynicism across the country. And while there will be more damaging and divisive actions to come in the next 100 days, we refuse to give in. 

You’re a part resisting and believing. And here are five ways you can act right now. 

READY TO ACT IN ST. CLOUD?

Join TakeAction at a training on direct action and powerful storytelling! As we prepare to organize and resist, we needs skills to organize effective actions and to tell our own stories powerfully to elected officials, the media, and our neighbors. This is a free training on Monday, February 13th from 6pm to 8pm.

OUR CITIES, OUR VALUES

At the Capitol, conservatives have introduced “local interference,” legislation that would stop cities in our state from adopting progressive policies have earned sick and safe time, sanctuary city policies, and higher minimum wages.

… Continue reading »

Dear community,
Wow. I’m sure many of you, like me, have been reeling from the events of this past week. Attacks on immigrants on multiple fronts (#MuslimBan #BorderWall), attacks on our native communities (#NoDAPL) and our planet, dismantling the Affordable Care Act, attacks on women’s rights to their bodies.The list continues. The Trump administration is fueling the most painful parts of our country’s history with racism, xenophobia, sexism, and Islamophobia.  

 As a Latina and a woman of color who has always fought to be orgullosa de quien soy*, my blood boils to know that any of us can be told we are “less than” and denied rights simply because of who we are. And, as a member of an immigrant family who was raised on stories of how US foreign policy has tampered and hurt many in Latin America, I’m worried that as a country we will focus on these immediate actions without remembering and acknowledging that these actions are not isolated instances. These tactics are, in fact, as we would say in Spanish, “friamente calculado,” or meticulously, intentionally crafted as part of a larger strategy. 

It’s critical that in this moment we take a step back, connect the dots, and look at the big picture – especially the larger story being told in this moment. … Continue reading »

We resist because we believe.  We believe, therefore, we resist.

My joy are my three great kids, Harriet, Winston, and little Joe – ages 5, 3, and 1.  They are my joy – they are also a handful.  Everyday my work to change the world starts earlier than I would like when they get me out of bed, and then when I get them ready to leave the house.  They are why on a day like today, I cannot and will not fall into despair, no matter who is President.

Today at 11:00 Donald Trump will be sworn in as the 45th president of the United States.  He is a man who fanned the flames of racism, xenophobia and misogyny to win the White House and hasn’t stopped since.  He has bragged about sexually assaulting women and mocked the disabled. He mocks science and denies climate change.  He not only plans to end health care as we now know it, he plans to take it away from tens of millions of people. His closest White House adviser is a white supremacist. Trump’s agenda is to minimize, divide, and destroy our communities and democracy, to clear the way for more money for himself and elites like him. … Continue reading »

TakeAction Minnesota is a people’s organization.  We are white, black, Latinx, Somali and Hmong. We are women and men and people who identify as neither. We are people without documents and people whose ancestors were placed on this land when it was created. We live in cities, on farms, and in the suburbs. Some of us have a criminal record and others have never been caught. We are union members and small business owners. Many of us are people of faith and many of us are agnostic or atheist. But we are all believers. We believe that no matter how different we are, we are all connected to each other, our fates are tied together.  We see and experience the inequity in our world, and we deeply believe that together we can change it.      

It is because of who we are and what we believe that we feel such a profound sense of fear right now.  Donald Trump won the presidency by fanning the flames of racism, xenophobia and misogyny. He brought out the worst in many of us and he won. He plans to use the power of our government against Muslims and immigrants. His pattern of behavior towards women is disgusting and something that I never want my daughter or sons exposed to.… Continue reading »

As Political Director, I’ve been all around the state with our endorsed candidates this year, connecting with new folks, enjoying catching up with old friends, and thinking a lot about my vision for Minnesota – what we can do, but also about who we are, and what’s at stake for me personally.   There is an increasing divide in our country between those at the very top, and the rest of us. My mom was laid off from a corporate job she held for 13 years because the company needed to save money for executive salaries and bonuses. Workers who had been with the company for years, who were so loyal to them, were redlined to save money – workers who have a pension were the first to be let go. My brother has a blood disease, which requires infusions when he’s injured, as well as constant maintenance to keep him healthy. These life-saving infusions cost upwards of $30,000 each time. Without good insurance coverage, my brother would be completely broke or worse.   But for me personally, what’s at stake is my body, my rights over it, my security in it. When the news broke that Donald Trump had groped women without their consent, I felt triggered, and I felt unsafe.… Continue reading »

There’s a lot at stake for all of us this Election Day, with candidates on the ballot who share Trump’s values and want to move us backwards. Read this, to find info on how to vote & spread the word!

Here’s what we can do. If we elect progressive champions who will fight for a stronger Minnesota for all of us — we will take back the State House, we will hold the State Senate and we will make 2017 the year we pass statewide paid sick time, restore the vote to 51,000 Minnesotans, expand affordable, quality health care and more. Here’s everything you need to make your plan!

Election Day is Nov. 8. Polls are open 7 AM–8 PM. If you’re in line at your polling location by 8 PM, you’re allowed to vote.

1. Register to Vote!: If you haven’t registered to vote yet, that’s ok! You can register the same day you vote. Click here to make sure you have what you need to register on Election Day.
2. Make sure you know where to vote: Click here to find your polling location
3. Who’s on your ballot?: Find out who’s on your ballot here.
   • And don’t forget to vote for progressive champions who share your values.

… Continue reading »

Earlier this month, my wife, my son and I spent the morning door knocking with Mary Hernandez running for the MN House of Representatives in district 55A.  I have heard many people say, “this race is lost to the GOP” or “she does know that she is not going to win, right?”  This type of attitude really gets to me.  Mary has been an active leader in her community for 20 years, she’s a strong woman, an immigrant, a mother, a wife, and the type of representative her community needs.

Yet, people still don’t’ have faith that she will win, simply because the status quo tell us “this is a lost race.”  I completely disregard this notion.  Look at what happened in district 60B and in district 59A – this is clear evidence that the impossible IS possible.  We must acknowledge that our communities are changing, we are becoming very diverse across, race, ability, gender, age, and economic status. I believe, that diversity CAN be our greatest strength, but to achieve this, it will take meaningful collaboration across our differences to make this possible.  By learning from each other’s perspectives and working together, we will take action and create a stronger and more unified community.… Continue reading »

Last Sunday was Grandparents’ Day. I’m 72, a Grandparent of 4, and in June, I moved in with my niece to help her care for her newborn – my four-month old great nephew. I’m also a member of TakeAction Minnesota’s Senior Caucus. And last Sunday, in honor of Grandparents’ Day, I did a lot of reflecting on care and caregiving.

As I reflected, I realized how much is uncertain. You might think that by my age there are fewer questions. There’s a stereotype out there about old, wise, women. And though I do consider myself wise in many ways, as I think about my own life and the lives of those around me, I was struck by how many unanswered questions I have.

There are the simple ones. “What were the words to that lullaby?” And, “what tricks did I use to soothe a fussy baby?” And, “where the heck did I put my walking stick?”

But there are also tougher questions about my own future. “What will happen when I can’t take care of myself anymore?” “Do I have enough saved?” “What living situations will make me happiest as I get older?”

And perhaps most importantly, there are some questions that I think must be asked of people who are in positions of power.… Continue reading »