Dear John,

With the daily inundation of executive orders and other wild decisions coming down from the White House, it can be hard to catch the stories of organizers across the country fighting back against them.

So, this week’s News Digest highlights the efforts of folks across our nation who are doing the good work and fighting for the people, not billionaires.

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

1. ‘No kings on Presidents Day’ rings out from protests against Trump and Musk
Across the country, people turned out to protest President Donald Trump and Elon Musk on Presidents Day. Minnesotans, undeterred by the extreme cold, showed up at our state capitol, protesting the Trump administration and emphasizing their worries for the future of our country. This follows a protest last week organized by the same group, the 50501 Movement. From state to state, we all seem to feel the same way: the actions of the Trump administration and Elon Musk are illegal, dangerous, bigoted, and will do nothing to benefit the American people – just Trump’s billionaire cronies. We’re showing up in droves to make that clear.
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2. ‘We are each other’s business’: Minnesota advocates rally statewide to show support for immigrants
Our nation has a rich history of immigration. Moms, dads, grandparents and cousins make the brave and hopeful choice to come here to build a better life for themselves and their children. That’s what we’re all trying to do and we are all part of the rich tapestry of the United States. On Valentine’s day, folks gathered over the Lake Street-Marshall Avenue Bridge to hold signs supporting Minnesotan immigrants. This was organized through the Immigrant Defense Network, a group of 90+ Minnesota immigrant advocacy groups who held events across the state Friday and Saturday, centering resources to protect immigrants and showing community support for their protection. In Rochester, demonstrators showed up where ICE activity has been spotted to create community presence that sends a clear message: “We see you. We know what you’re doing. You are not welcome here.” This solidarity is what our immigrant neighbors need: community showing up and linking arm-in-arm for our collective safety and dignity.
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3. Minnesota joins new lawsuit challenging constitutional authority of Elon Musk, DOGE
Minnesota has joined 13 other states in a lawsuit aiming to combat Elon Musk’s unchecked power that is currently destroying our government workforce and departments. Attorney General Keith Ellison is, as always, fighting for the people and making it clear that the entirety of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) is illegal from its formation to its entirely unelected, unvetted head Elon Musk, and will only serve to hurt Americans. Attorney General Ellison set a great example for electeds across the country: using your position of power for the good of the people of Minnesota and the nation.
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4. Federal Workers Rally In New York to Protest Musk Jobs Purge
America’s unions are bringing the people to the streets to continue ongoing protests against Donald Trump’s administration, including the AFGE and IFPTE, both unions representing our federal workforce. These unions organized dozens of protests across the country to stop the illegal mass firing by Elon’s DOGE department. Minnesota has seen these same cuts to our federal civilian employees. Our unions are integral to protecting the workforce, even if you’re not directly part of a union, so the rights of workers aren’t stripped at the uninformed whims of billionaires.
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5. Wyoming tribes push to control reservation water as the state proposes sending it to outside irrigators
Wyoming tribes are fighting for access and legal control over water on tribal lands. This issue has been long fought, with Minnesota’s own Senator Tina Smith convening with the tribes in D.C. to speak up for the unjust implementation of power plants on the river and stop the bill that sought to build it. This issue further emphasizes the value of representatives using their power to represent the voices of the folks whose needs are being sidelined for monied interests.
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6. Ex-Viking Chris Kluwe arrested after protesting California city’s ode to MAGA on library plaque
Vikings alum Chris Kluwe took action at the city council in his community in southern California, standing up against Trump’s administration and the actions his city was taking to honor him. He used his influence to directly call out the Trump administration for what it is: “profoundly corrupt, unmistakably anti-democratic.”
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7. Worcester leaders vote to become a sanctuary city for trans community
Amidst unprecedented attacks on the freedoms of our transgender neighbors from the Trump administration, local leaders are fighting back. The city of Worcester, Massachusetts has declared itself a sanctuary city for trans and gender nonconforming individuals, protecting their safety, dignity, and freedom.
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8. With Somali, Arabic, and English verse, artist brings global vision to Rochester arts walk
Resistance doesn’t always look like a protest march; it’s also installing art in our communities from the points of view that are rarely seen or heard in our public spaces. Ayub HajiOmar is installing poems in English, Arabic, and Somali on Rochester’s discovery walk to make Rochester and Mayo Clinic more welcoming to our immigrant neighbors who trek to the hospital.
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9. Minnesota House member makes appearance on ‘Love Is Blind’
Minnesota is hitting Netflix on the new season of ‘Love is Blind’, exposing the world to our lovely state. For our politic-heads, Rep. Mary Frances Clardy will reportedly make an appearance since her daughter, Virginia, is a contestant on the show.
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10. Alan Page’s new children’s book centers around family baking traditions
Alan Page, the first African American to serve as a Minnesota Supreme Court justice, is publishing his 5th children’s book “Baking Up Love”. The book is about intergenerational family connections and celebrates reading and justice. It’s bound to be a lovely read for parents and children alike.
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And that's a wrap!

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

Until next time,

Mattias Lehman (he/him)
Communications & Narrative Director


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