Dear John,

As we close out week two of the brutal ICE surge on the Twin Cities, I find that reading and listening to the words of people I admire is especially grounding. Local poet Bao Phi, a former colleague of mine at the Loft Literary Center, penned an incredible and moving piece for Time that poignantly captures the need to find our community right now even when the gulf between us and our opposition seems unbearably wide.

“I can’t reconcile the most important space of all: the distance between myself and some of my fellow American citizens, who believe that the actions of ICE—from the racial profiling, imprisonment, and detainment of people on American soil, to the killing of [Renee] Good and [Keith] Porter—are acceptable. I have felt sick all week. This vast gulf between us, not just as Americans but as human beings, has drained me of hope,” Bao writes. 

“Still: I step out my front door and walk a few short blocks on Minneapolis sidewalks pockmarked with ice in 20 degree weather, which the 17 mph winds make it feel like 7 degrees. This is a place where the cold physically hurts. And yet there they are, thousands of my fellow Minnesotans. We march. We shout. We hold space with one another.”

I hope that reading and hearing these words, even in the midst of some of these other truly terrifying headlines, will bring you a sense of hope and grounding, too.

Here's what we're reading, watching, and listening to this week: 

1. Second person shot by ICE, Trump threatens Insurrection Act

A man was shot in the leg by federal agents in North Minneapolis Wednesday night, exactly one week after the murder of Renee Good. Trump threatened to invoke the Insurrection Act in Minnesota to suppress protesters.

2. Likelihood of state charges against Ross

Experts say it will be an “uphill battle” to bring state charges against Jonathan Ross, who shot and killed Renee Good, due to the federal government’s refusal to cooperate and the narrative already being pushed by the Trump administration in Ross’ defense.

3. MN sues Trump admin

The state and Twin Cities, alongside Illinois and Chicago, are suing the Trump administration to stop escalating ICE invasions. The lawsuit cites a violation of the 10th Amendment.

4. Judge stops Trump admin from blocking federal funds

A federal judge sided with Minnesota and four other states after the Trump administration announced it would block federal social services funding to the Democratic-led states.

5. Amanda and Aisha on MS NOW

“I’m feeling really proud of Minneapolis. We have a lot of love and courage, and folks are showing up to take care of each other. We’re not going to stop doing that” said TakeAction’s Co-Executive Director Amanda Otero on The Rachel Maddow Show Monday. State Rep. Aisha Gomez, who represents the district where Renee Good was killed, was also interviewed about her experience being attacked by ICE agents near Renee’s memorial.

6. How ICE operations are affecting businesses

New reports indicate that ICE’s occupation of Minnesota has had drastic effects on the economy, with businesses along key corridors in the Twin Cities losing 50-100% of sales. Despite this, many local businesses like Wrecktangle Pizza are stepping up to help the community.

7. ICE's terrifying surveillance methods

404 Media investigated ICE’s use of social media and phone surveillance technology to monitor entire communities. Read here for MPR’s paywall-free interview with 404 journalist Joseph Cox.

8. The horror of the Whipple detention center

Minneapolis residents and US citizens Patty O’Keefe and Brandon Sigüenza were arrested by ICE agents after acting as legal observers in their car and detained for eight hours at the Bishop Henry Whipple Building. In a harrowing interview, they described the cruel and inhumane conditions at the detention center.

9. "When we stand together, the distance between us closes"

Minneapolis-based poet (and former coworker of mine!) Bao Phi wrote an essay for Time about his experience as a refugee from Vietnam in the midst of the ICE occupation. His words paint at once a heart-wrenching and terrifying portrait of life in Minnesota right now, as well as the warmth and hope of community solidarity.

10. Tattoos against ICE

To end things on a somewhat lighter note, Rebecca Smith, a tattoo artist at Minneapolis’ Tokki Tokki Tattoo, is offering ‘Chinga La Migra’ (Spanish for ‘F*ck the Immigration Cops’) flash tattoos at a heavily discounted rate for anyone who wants to show their solidarity in the most hardcore way. 

That’s all for today — send us what you’re reading, watching and listening to.

In love and solidarity,

Charlie Bartlett
TakeAction Member