Dear John,

Twenty years ago this week, I (Katie) participated in an act of protest for the first time. I wore a black armband at my high school to show opposition to the invasion of Iraq, in solidarity with historic antiwar protests around the globe. It was a tiny act but a nervous one. Most of my school and town were avidly supporting the war, and I didn’t know how peers and teachers would react to the few of us who were protesting.

I’m an organizer because I believe tiny acts add up. All of the tiny (and also very large and very risky) actions people took 20 years ago in protest of the war did not stop it. The forever war has been ‘catastrophic’, as Iraqi writers call it. How did any of us keep believing in organizing after such a horrifying war was launched in the face of massive global resistance? I kept believing because I’m a student of movements, elders, and history that teach us all the ways that people grow and build and win – including against empire and white supremacy and misogyny and transphobia and so many systems that seem impossible to resist or overcome.

The items in this Digest every week are our living history. We are living through times of despair – and also hope – just as so many people have before us, through their tiny and huge actions and choices. What ways are you doing that this week? We’d love to hear!

There won’t be a News Digest while we’re off for spring break, but we’ll be back April 14th with more news specially curated for your inbox.

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

1. Trans people belong here

Early this morning, the MN House passed a bill to protect gender-affirming care and people seeking it in Minnesota.

The bill was authored by Rep. Leigh Finke, who was just honored as the Minnesota Woman of the Year by USA Today.

2. "We won healthcare"

North Carolina passed a bill expanding Medicaid, making healthcare affordable and accessible to 600,000 Carolinians who’ve been forced to go without. “Medicaid Expansion is a once-in-a-generation investment that will make all North Carolina families healthier while strengthening our economy, and I look forward to signing this legislation soon,” North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper wrote in a tweet included in this PBS article. And, don’t miss this video featuring Down Home Carolina’s members and supporters who have been organizing tirelessly for this win for 12 years.

3. Parents and teachers unite

“If you’re not making massive six-figure salaries, then, yeah, it’s hard,” L.A. parent Ms. Cruz (33) said. “How can you not support their cause?” Read more from the striking teachers and allied parents in the New York Times.

4. Free school meals and Philando Castile

Valerie Castile is celebrating Minnesota’s new free school meals law. She has raised $200,000 to pay for students’ school lunch debt in honor of her son Philando Castile, who was killed by St. Anthony police in 2016. 

5. It is a lot of work to be poor and disabled

When Medicare eligibility is redetermined starting in April, it will only make things worse. Read more by disability justice activist and new Teen Vogue reporter, Alice Wong.

6. 300 evictions a week

That’s how many the Twin Cities are averaging – back to or above the levels of eviction before the pandemic eviction moratoriums.

7. Organizing and Covid-19

The past couple weeks, as we mark the three-year anniversary of the pandemic, we are reminded that it’s not too late to join organizing efforts around care justice issues, including Covid-19. Listen to this podcast sent by one of our readers about why it’s important for the Left to take Covid seriously, even as the public health emergency comes to a close.

8. Trans rights read-a-thon

Over 700 bookstores are participating in this celebration of trans writers. Check out this amazing graphic, featuring dozens of books by trans authors, from A Room of One’s Own Books in Madison, WI.

9. All of the lights

This past week was the Spring Equinox. And we're welcoming spring with the magical Northern Lights putting on quite the show! Last night, Aurora Borealis was visible in many parts of the state and may be making another appearance tonight (Friday). Check out some beautiful images captured by fellow Minnesotan stargazers.

10. Mount Target

This MPR reporter climbed to the summit of this Minnesota mountain.

And that’s a wrap!

Send us what you’re reading, watching, and listening to.

Until next time,

Katie Blanchard (she/her)
Basebuilding Director

Jessica Zimmerman (she/her)
Development Director