Dear John,

A lot is happening, from Congress debating its next COVID-19 relief package to the upcoming primary election on August 11^th and decisions happening around the Minneapolis Charter Amendment to distance learning.

Our political team is hustling hard to get out the vote for our endorsed candidates across the state. Sign up for a shift here to elect our progressive champions.

I (Kenza) am off for a long weekend to visit my baby niece. And I (Patrick) am driving up to Duluth to see my cousin before she heads off to college later in August. Have a great weekend!

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

1. John Lewis

“When historians pick up their pens to write the story of the 21st century, let them say that it was your generation who laid down the heavy burdens of hate at last and that peace finally triumphed over violence, aggression and war.”

The Civil Rights Leader and U.S. Representative John Lewis left one last letter for all of us before he passed away. Find it in the New York Times.

2. HEALS Act

After months of waiting, the U.S. Senate released its next COVID-19 relief bill: a package that does little to help people but protects corporations from liability. Read more in Vox.

3. Minneapolis Charter Commission

We are deeply disappointed that the City Charter Commission is threatening to stall the 2020 charter amendment. Make no mistake: the Minneapolis Police Department is a liability. We, the people have the right and responsibility to act through our local democracy for change. Read the latest from Wedge Live.

4. Stand with Ilhan

Our members endorsed Congresswoman Omar in her first race for state House and again for Congress. In the most progressive district in the state, we deserve a representative who’s pushing the country toward ideas that broaden justice: Medicare for All, A Green New Deal, and Homes for All.

Check out this endorsement in City Pages that caught our eye and her powerful campaign video on Youtube.  

5. Michelle Obama

She has a new podcast! We loved her book Becoming and can’t wait to listen. Check it out on Spotify.

6. Motherhood

Last week, we shared the powerful videos of (white) moms in Portland putting their bodies on the line to protect protestors from federal agents and local police. But the coverage of these videos raises an important question: whose motherhood matters in America? Read more in the Washington Post.

7. Universal Family Care

The U.S. has never had a plan for paying livable wages for care work or for providing care for people who need it. Our society has functioned on free and underpaid labor done by women, immigrants, and Black and brown folks. This week, Joe Biden announced his major plan to fund child-care and elder care. Check it out on CNBC.

8. Americans with Disabilites Act

The ADA turned 30 years old this week. Activists with disabilities fought bravely and creatively for years to win these protections. The rest of us have a lot we can learn from them. Read more in The New Republic.

9. Climate Crisis

The climate emergency is here. A quarter of Bangladesh is under water and millions have lost everything. Read more in The New York Times.

10. Precocious Cats

This video made me (Patrick) laugh this week. Make sure to watch to the end. Check it out on Twitter.

That’s a wrap.

-- Kenza Hadj-Moussa & Patrick Burke