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Legislative Update from Rep. Mike Freiberg

Neighbors,   

Over the past few months – but especially the past few weeks as operation “Metro Surge” descended on us – we've witnessed heinous atrocities, violations of civil and human rights, and unprecedented abuses of power.  

Not long after the killing of Renee Good, our community witnessed ICE detain a US citizen [ [link removed] ] in Robbinsdale without allowing him to prove his citizenship [ [link removed] ]. 

Last week, a five-year-old in Columbia Heights was used as bait to lure family out of his home. ICE then kidnapped the child and flew him to Texas, where his family has not been able to learn more about his wellbeing or what happens next.  

On Friday, a group of faith leaders were arrested at the MSP airport in a peaceful demonstration (and in frigid temperatures.) 

And on Saturday, the world watched ICE kill another Minnesotan. Within minutes, the Trump Administration was peddling a narrative that directly contradicts what we all saw with our own eyes.  

People are being maced at close range, dragged from their cars for being in the wrong place at the wrong time, and purposefully injured during illegal arrests. This is not about immigration, it’s about control, fear, and silencing us. Despite the tragedy and heartbreak they're forcing upon us every day, their tactics won’t work. 

Friday, thousands of Minnesotans gathered for the first general strike Minnesota has seen in over 100 years. It was an outpouring of community support, despite dangerously cold weather. This exemplifies the lengths Minnesotans will go to protect our own. In the words of the late great Minnesotan Prince, the cold keeps the bad people out.  

Rep. Freiberg bundled up at Friday's march.

People are not taking to the streets just to be heard – we demand action. As your Representative, it’s my job to update you on the actions state and local government is taking to defend our state.  

To be transparent, things are very fluid right now. Attorney General Keith Ellison has filed a lawsuit [ [link removed] ] to get ICE out of Minnesota. As an attorney I know that legal action takes time, so it’s important to not take a lack of frequent updates on this as inaction. I know that AG Ellison and his team are diligently working this issue from every angle they can in court. 

That being said, the courtroom isn’t the only tool we have at our disposal. You may also have heard that the FBI took control to investigate the senseless killing of Renee Good away from state authorities. This is infuriating and insulting, but Attorney General Ellison and the Hennepin County Attorney are launching their own investigations [ [link removed] ]. It is essential that state or local authorities have a role in any investigation and/or prosecution. A thorough, sound investigation before formal charges are brought is how we seek true justice for Renee’s family and community. You can help by reporting wrongdoings by ICE on the Attorney General’s website. [ [link removed] ]  

As a state legislator, I will certainly support legislation to curb ICE’s abuses when the legislative session convenes in just a few weeks. This could include legislation that would: 


* Prohibit masked, unidentifiable enforcement actions; 

* Provide housing assistance to those impacted 

* Allow [ [link removed] ] Minnesotans to sue federal agents for civil rights violations; and 

* Limit collaboration with federal immigration enforcement that violates civil rights. 

 

I also welcome any ideas for legislation that you have. However, since ICE is a federal agency, if you haven’t already done so, I encourage you to contact our federal elected legislators in Washington, DC—U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar, U.S. Senator Tina Smith, and U.S. Congresswoman Ilhan Omar [ [link removed] ] (or Rep. Kelly Morrison if you live in Plymouth) about this issue. Don’t forget, you can call and leave a voicemail any day of the week and at any time of day. 

Thank you for your commitment to our community. This is a marathon, not a sprint – but we’re used to running in the cold and snow. They’re not.  



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Stay Connected

Unfortunately, due to technological restraints, replies to this newsletter won’t reach me. To stay up to date with our important work at the State Capitol, you can see the Minnesota House of Public Information Services’ nonpartisan recaps of high-profile bills, committee hearings, and floor sessions with their Session Daily [ [link removed] ] publication. 

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To share your input or ideas, or if I can ever be of assistance, please feel free to reach out at [email protected] or 651-296-4176, and I will be happy to help. If you were forwarded this email and you’d like to subscribe, click here [ [link removed] ]. If you have a friend or neighbor who would be interested in receiving these, please forward this and encourage them to subscribe. 

 

It is an honor to continue to serve you.  

 

In solidarity,  

Rep. Mike Freiberg 

 

 








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