Dear John,
TakeAction members kept it moving in June. Here’s the latest – a couple weeks late due to our summer break! Hope you’re getting some time out in the sunshine.
🥳Duluth Right to Repair will officially be on the November ballot!
🚸Minneapolis Families for Public Schools and Students Against District Dysfunction are making demands alongside Minneapolis educators for real action from the district on class sizes and special education caseloads as educators negotiate their next contract this summer.
📞TCUP members are reaching out to all 500+ performers who signed the Power Pledge to see how it’s going using the TCUP advance.
👼MN United Parents is getting in formation to have thousands of conversations with parents and caregivers about the radicalizing moments we’re having as parents in the current moment.
Read on for more, including an ✨exclusive interview✨ with Robyn Jamner of Twin Cities United Performers, and reflections on how to talk about political violence with loved ones.
Whether you’re a member of a TakeAction Minnesota team or part of our general membership, we’re glad you’re here.
We’re making moves: Timely team updates and calls to action
🥳 Signed, sealed, delivered – and certified!
Duluth Tenants delivered nearly 6,000 signatures to Duluth City Hall last month, and the City Clerk verified over 3,700 of them – well above the 2,819 signatures required by the city charter. That means that Duluth Right to Repair is officially on the November ballot. Thank you to everyone who collected signatures! Because of you, we smashed our signature goal in just 49 days!
The next phase of the campaign will require more strategy and more conversations, as we talk to thousands of voters across Duluth about voting for Duluth Right to Repair on November 4. If you want to learn more about how to get involved, see you at the next open meeting on August 5!
🥳 Signed, sealed, delivered – and certified!
Duluth Tenants delivered nearly 6,000 signatures to Duluth City Hall last month, and the City Clerk verified over 3,700 of them – well above the 2,819 signatures required by the city charter. That means that Duluth Right to Repair is officially on the November ballot. Thank you to everyone who collected signatures! Because of you, we smashed our signature goal in just 49 days!
The next phase of the campaign will require more strategy and more conversations, as we talk to thousands of voters across Duluth about voting for Duluth Right to Repair on November 4. If you want to learn more about how to get involved, see you at the next open meeting on August 5!
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🚸 MPS families team up with educators
On April 30, Minneapolis Families for Public Schools co-presented demands on class sizes and special education caseloads alongside Minneapolis Federation of Educators as they negotiate their next contract. This isn’t just about solidarity (but also, solidarity forever) – it’s about getting real action on these issues from the district. We’ve been keeping a close eye on bargaining this month. Check out our latest bargaining update.
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📞*Ring ring* It's TCUP calling!
This month, TCUP members have been calling through our 511-person pledge signer list to make sure each local performer who signed has the advance feels empowered to use it. These have been very meaningful conversations, where performers share stories from their experiences and imagine the possibilities of a better music scene for everyone. We are making that happen through our organizing! Do you have an upcoming show? Use the TCUP advance! Do you want to join the conversation? Come to our next open meeting!
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👼Parents + caregivers are getting in formation
Being a parent is radicalizing, and it’s a political identity. MN United Parents is building the infrastructure to talk about that with thousands of parents across the state – and what we can win when we move together. Looking for your role right now? Join our next meeting on July 8 to plug in.
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We’re learning about: The art of canvassing
To build the communities we deserve and show up for each other in a dangerous federal landscape, we need to be able to have real, meaningful conversations with each other. It’s essential, and it can feel scary. Whether canvassing freaks you out or you’re an experienced canvasser looking to sharpen your skills, we’re coming together this summer to get equipped to be excellent canvassers. Sign up now. Our next session is July 16.
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We’re chatting with: Robyn Jamner, TCUP
1) What team are you part of, and what are you organizing to win?
I am part of TCUP (Twin Cities United Performers). Our current campaign calls for venues to advance shows as a standard practice. An advance is just a list of details (load-in time, parking, set length, pay, etc.) that are sent and confirmed ahead of a show. It helps performers and venue staff know what to expect and it offers a level of protection by putting things in writing. I am frustrated that this basic level of communication is not already a universal practice, but I have hope for the future. Earlier this year we had over 500 local performers sign a pledge to advance their shows so that more venues would start feeling pressure to do the same.
2) What’s one thing you’ve learned about yourself since you’ve started organizing?
I love the version of myself that comes out when I am organizing. I have realized that many things I already enjoy – connecting with people, sharing stories, collaborating on creative projects – are useful in organizing work. It’s nurturing to be part of a community that is working toward collective goals, and it’s empowering to put my skills toward something bigger than myself.
3) How can folks build power and act with your team right now?
If you are a performer, advance your shows. Think of it as an act of solidarity: the more we advance our shows, the more we can start to turn the tide. If you have never advanced a show before, TCUP has created a template that you can use. Want to get involved with TCUP in other ways? You can come to one of our open meetings, which happen once a month.
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We’re reflecting on: How to talk with loved ones about political violence
We’re still rattled and mourning the murders of Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark; the attacks on Sen. John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette; and the threats to other elected and political leaders in Minnesota. Now we’re also grieving the passage of the devastating bill Trump signed into law on July 4, which gives huge tax breaks to billionaires while stripping healthcare away from millions and dumping $170 billion into ICE through 2029.
Political violence comes in many forms. In this moment, we’re seeing so much of it. People are being hurt because of where we were born, what we look like, or what we believe in.
MNUP organizer Lindsay Turner shared reflections in an email last month on how to have conversations with our children and loved ones about political violence – especially as we’re grappling with our own grief. Reply if you’d like us to forward it to you. Here’s what’s sticking with us:
Right now, a lot of us feel sad and scared. That’s ok. It helps to remember we’re not alone. Choosing to do things together is really powerful. It helps us work through fear and push back against violence. It is the only way we can make our communities better. A lot of people before us have made that choice, and a lot of people now are making that choice every day. You can do that too, and you don’t have to do it alone.
How are you doing this summer? Reply and let us know. We hope you’re taking care.
More soon,
Laura Kiernan (she/her)
Member Organizer
Laura Proescholdt
Narrative & Communications Director (she/her)
About this newsletter: Get updates and invitations to act with TakeAction teams building power: MN United Parents, Duluth Tenants, Twin Cities United Performers, and Minneapolis Families for Public Schools. Whether you’re a member of one of these teams or part of TakeAction’s general membership, this newsletter is one way to keep up with our community.
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