IN THIS MOMENT
1.23.26
It’s 11 degrees below zero, and Minneapolis is on fire.
The feds have invaded our city for no valid reason. It’s not about fraud. There aren’t scores of illegal, violent immigrants here. That’s all a lie.
The feds are here out of Trump’s personal vendetta. Out of his need to distract from the Epstein Files. Out of lies fanned by soulless right wing media. Out of a latent racism that lies in the hearts of too many white Americans (notice I didn’t say ALL white Americans… but honestly, most of us can do better, and if you still support Trump at this point, you may want to have an honest chat with yourself).
So, here we are:
Masked, heavily armed men are roaming the streets, harassing and violently rounding up citizens as well as immigrants who have asylum status or have otherwise been granted permission—by the government—to temporarily reside here while their cases are considered. Many of those targeted by ICE have been following the rules, showing up for their court appointments, working, paying taxes. They haven’t stolen a job anyone else is after, can’t vote in elections, can’t collect welfare. Some have lived here since childhood, brought here through no fault of their own, hoping for a chance of citizenship. It’s the only place they know.
The government is breaking its promise to them, terrorizing the weakest among us.
And, even if someone is undocumented, they are still a HUMAN BEING.
Meanwhile, all of us are facing a world where the constitution is meaningless, and the feds are accountable to no one. Racial profiling, breaking car windows, smashing through front doors without warrants, snatching children, illegally using carcinogenic chemical weapons against protestors, wielding their firearms not to protect, but to intimidate, and ultimately— as the world knows— shooting a peaceful protester through a car window. With no repercussions, official investigation, or truthful explanation.
There was a massive general strike and protest march through the city today. It was amazing to see the images. I am so proud of Minneapolis. Full disclosure, I wasn’t at this one. Couldn’t take the cold, and not good at being in huge crowds. But thankful, heartened, energized and INSPIRED by those who were. Thank you all.
THE NEXT MOMENT
1.24.26
The feds murdered Alex Pretti. Someone who was exercising his American right to protest, who was not threatening anyone, and in fact, was attempting to shield someone from abuse while being sprayed, point blank, with chemical irritants. And although bystander videos show what really happened, the feds make atrocious lies about the man, about the incident. I’m not going to get into the details. It’s easy to find the reporting.
How do we keep our heads on straight while atrocities happen, in broad daylight, right in front of our eyes?