Dear John,

Happy New Year! I hope you got some space for rest over the holidays. Jessie is sick this week, so I’m filling in and sending healing energy her way (and to you if you’re feeling under the weather, too!).

This week’s Digest contains stories about the struggle to make our values real in the world. New Minnesota laws like statewide paid sick days going into effect this week are a reminder of what we can win when we keep organizing together. Courageous and creative ways people in Minnesota and beyond continue to organize for a Ceasefire in Gaza reveal our capacity to show up for each other and what’s right – even in the most challenging moments. I’m grateful to be part of this community with you where we figure out how to act on our values, together.

Along with the news for the week, here are a couple exciting opportunities to get involved with TakeAction this year. Check out our paid organizing fellowship for high school students, led by our incredible youth organizer Cierra Brown, and share this opportunity to work with us as our People and Culture Director with your network.

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

1. New year, new rights

In 2023, the Minnesota legislature passed laws Minnesotans have been organizing around for years and even decades. Now that 2024 is here, many of those laws are now in effect, including paid sick and safe time statewide. 🎉 Last session was a big one for renters, with one advocate calling it “the most substantial change in Minnesota tenant/landlord law in a single session of the Legislature in the 165-year history of the state. Know your rights as a renter with this summary from HOME Line.  

2. Minneapolis Ceasefire resolution

Today, a multi-faith coalition of Minneapolis community organizations and City Council Members announced a resolution in support of a Permanent Ceasefire in Gaza, and an end to U.S. military aid to Israel. “Our residents are asking us to speak,” said Council Member Aisha Chughtai at today’s press conference. “Our taxpayer dollars go toward funding this ongoing genocide.” Minneapolis City Council will vote on the resolution on Monday. If you live in Minneapolis, send a message to your Council Member and Mayor Frey. Tell them to support the resolution and contribute to pressure on federal officials to stop using our resources for genocide. 

3. Camp Nenookaasi

In this moment, the urgency of investing our resources in safe and affordable homes – not war – is especially clear. On Thursday, the City of Minneapolis began evicting 160 people from Camp Nenookaasi, an encampment in South Minneapolis where Indigenous residents were working to create refuge and community. “Exhaustion is the point,” said camp organizer Laci Gagliano about the eviction. 

4. Looking ahead to #mnleg session 2024

“We created a collective blueprint of what's possible when leaders listen to community members about how to build a more supportive economy.” I loved reading these reflections from Duluth Rep. Liish Kozlowski on crucial actions the Minnesota legislature took last session – and the opportunities ahead in 2024. At TakeAction, we’re feeling big gratitude for the leadership of Duluth Rep. Liz Olson, who recently announced that she won’t be seeking reelection.

5. Childcare

National guidelines say families shouldn’t be spending more than seven percent of their income on childcare – but right now, Minnesota families are spending more like 20 percent. And that’s if parents can find care. Check out how childcare gaps are impacting rural communities, and revisit this story on how much Minnesota families would save if #mnleg passes child care legislation in 2024. 

6. Fair trials

Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty is delivering for the people. This week she announced new measures to ensure everyone has access to a fair trial. 

7. More actions for Ceasefire

Since October, there have been a wave of direct actions at ports around the U.S. to disrupt the shipping of weapons to Israel. “We as everyday people have an enormous amount of collective power and the ability to disrupt business as usual,” said Bissan Barghouti, an organizer involved in an action at the Port of Tacoma.

At the U.S. Capitol on December 19, dozens of civic leaders from across the country – including TakeAction Executive Director Elianne Farhat – got arrested as they protested the Deadly Deal, billions in funding for violence in Gaza and at the U.S. southern border. Congress delayed the bill. Thanks to all of you who contacted Minnesota's congressional delegation urging them to stop the deal.

8. Claudine Gay

Christopher Rufo is back. It turns out the right-wing operator behind the “Critical Race Theory” panic is also behind the strategy to force Harvard president Claudine Gay to resign. TakeAction’s Elianne Farhat shared this article with wise words: “An intentional right-wing strategy to be on guard against – not fall for.”

9. Songs of solidarity and peace

“Was it Mennonite 4-part harmonies that pushed Sen. Baldwin across the finish line?” Watch this beautiful video on Twitter of Mennonites singing outside of Wisconsin Senator Tammy Baldwin’s office on December 19 as part of a Mennonite day of action with 40 groups from the U.S. and Canada participating. Two days later, Sen. Baldwin released a statement calling for an immediate Ceasefire. Shout-out to Ceasefire carolers in Minnesota and around the world who organized actions during the holiday season.

10. The pickleball takeover

At the risk of starting beef with my favorite pickleball lover, TakeAction organizer DyAnna Grondahl, I’m including this podcast shared by my colleague Laura Kiernan uncovering how “pickleball’s exploding popularity isn’t an organic grassroots rise.” Juicy!

And that’s a wrap!

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

In solidarity,

Laura Proescholdt (she/her)
Digital Strategist