Dear John,

Today is the LAST day to sign up to caucus and be a delegate for Minneapolis local elections. Learn more here, sign up, and find TakeAction’s list of endorsed candidates here.

It’s been a long week so I’m going to get right to the news. I hope you have some fun things planned this weekend. 

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

1. "Operation Safety Net"

Independent media outlet Unicorn Riot rounded up the police violence against journalists, especially reporters of color, covering protests in Brooklyn Center after the murder of Daunte Wright. It is horrific that this happened; we know from last summer that no MPD officers were disciplined for misconduct. MPD and state police are under the complete control of Mayor Frey and Governor Walz. More high profile trials are coming this summer. In the meantime, read this critical piece.

2. Minneapolis

There’s a new podcast out about artist-activist-city councilor Jeremiah Ellison. Listen here and if you live in Minneapolis, sign up TODAY to be a delegate for TakeAction’s endorsed candidates.

3. MPD No-Knock Raid

Mayor Frey’s attempts at reforming MPD have been toothless and ineffective. After touting his “ban” on no-knock warrants, a family in Anoka County was held at police gunpoint in the middle of the night after MPD directed a no-knock raid. This is the same force that led to the police murder of Breonna Taylor. Oh, and MPD had the wrong address. Watch what happened.

4. Valerie Castile

This is a powerful piece on Philando Castile’s mom, Valerie, published after the Chauvin trial verdict. Read it here.

5. Houseplants

This article in the Atlantic about the houseplant boom and collective grief had me in my feelings. Check it out.

6. Census

To every single one of you who helped with the census or if you were a census worker or had a baby last year: thank you. Minnesota shocked the nation and gets to keep a seat in Congress because 89 more people filled out their census form here than in New York. Read the great news and let’s promise to never forget it.

7. Care Economy

This New York Times piece caught my eye. Read this op-ed “America is brutal to its parents” and what the Biden Administration is proposing. Learn more about Biden’s plan for families here.

8. Lil Nas X

A fascinating piece on the Internet, culture, and how rapper Lil Nas X got right-wing media to do inter-web algorithm work for his new single. Read it in Politico. (For background, see this 2019 story on how Lil Nas X got his mega-hit “Old Town Road” to be a viral sensation.)

9. Nomadland

Did you see the winner of this year’s Academy Award for Best Picture? Let me know what you thought. Read this review of Nomadland and watch the trailer.

10. Beltane

This Saturday, celebrate Beltane – the midpoint between the spring equinox and summer solstice – as well as International Workers’ Day. Here are some fun ideas.  

That’s a wrap. Send me what you're reading.
- Kenza Hadj-Moussa