TakeAction Member Newsletter: August edition |
Dear John, I’m still reeling, and I know I’m not alone. No school year should start this way. This week, there were four deadly shootings in Minneapolis. I'm grappling with the extent of the gun violence, political violence, and other types of violence harming my community, including the transphobic rhetoric circulating online in the wake of the shooting at Annunciation Church.
This violence is real, it’s hurting real people, and part of the reason it’s hard to accept is that the love and safety I feel in this city is also real. I’ve called Minneapolis home for almost 10 years now. This community is full of people who fiercely love their neighbors – who love them so much, in fact, that they find all kinds of ways to show that love, including by organizing to make our city better. I’ve met many of those people through my work with TakeAction. You are the people on my mind this week. I hope you’re taking care, and I’m grateful for the community we're building. It’s a place I feel held when the world feels dark.
To the families of the people hurt and killed this week, and to the Annunciation Church community, our hearts are with you. Please take care. To my trans friends and neighbors: I love you, and I’m so grateful you exist. Please know that you are so loved, by so many. Read on for updates on TakeAction’s organizing in August and ways you can plug in, and for an exclusive interview with MN United Parents member, Sarah Quinn. 💞
Whether you’re a member of a TakeAction Minnesota team or part of our general membership, I’m glad you’re here. |
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Image: A collage of Duluth Tenants members ready to canvass! |
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We're making moves: Timely team updates & calls to action |
✊ Knock knock, it’s Duluth Tenants!
We’ve already knocked almost 2,000 doors, y’all. Now that Duluth Right to Repair is on the ballot, it’s time to turn out every voter in Duluth to vote YES on Question 1 by November 4. |
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💪 #WorkersOverBillionaires Labor Day Rallies
MN United Parents is organizing to make sure workers and families come before billionaires. We’re turning out to make this Labor Day about sending that message and connecting with other parents ready to build power for the high-quality and free child care, public education, and healthcare that we all deserve. |
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- Join us for a Labor Day rally in Mankato, Minneapolis, St. Cloud, or St. Louis Park.
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🧑🏫 MFE has filed for mediation
After 5 months and 44 hours of bargaining, Minneapolis Public Schools continues to say “no” to core priorities, from smaller class sizes to manageable special ed caseloads. Filing for mediation is like calling in a referee – and it’s a way to turn up the pressure to win the changes educators and our families deserve. Look for a more in-depth update on Instagram next week. |
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Join our September 21 Info Session to get the inside scoop on district politics and finances so we can win the changes our families deserve.
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🫂 TCUP members support each other in pods
“Pods” are smaller teams within a larger union structure – a strategy inspired by our union siblings. Right now, pod members are supporting each other to use the TCUP advance because it helps to know you have a team behind you. |
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We're chatting with: Sarah Quinn, MN United Parents |
Image: Sarah (right) with fellow MNUP members Lauryn (left) and Lindsay (center) as Fateh delegates at the Minneapolis convention |
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1) What's your team and, if you're into astrology, your sign? What's one thing bringing you joy right now? I am a part of Minnesota United Parents! I am sort of into astrology, and I am a Gemini. One thing bringing me joy right now was a recent return to the stage for Irish dancing! I danced for 17 years growing up and the school I danced for celebrated 25 years; they brought back alumni and 70+ of us were on stage together! It was so joyful, despite being woefully out of shape!
2) What's a core memory of your time with MN United Parents so far? What did it feel like? We had a group of us canvass outside of a Town Hall for Ilhan Omar to get folks to sign papers with hands that said, "Protect Earned Safe and Sick Time." It was wonderful to see so many of us talking to folks, getting them to sign our sheets that asked their legislators to protect Earned Safe and Sick time. It felt exhilarating to be with MNUP people and the larger public committed to ESST.
3) Who is a person you've met through organizing and why are they special to you? I’ve met so many incredible people so far, but one that has stood out is Lauryn. We met at some of the Sunday MNUP meetings and we both spoke in front of several hundred folks at a town hall. I admire her clarity of character, her creativity and commitment to moving things forward. She also shares some hilarious content on social media when humor is a much-needed way to cope.
4) How is what you're learning through organizing showing up in your day-to-day life? I think the biggest thing I’ve learned is that organizing for anything takes pushing from all sides. And we all have a role to play in the pushing. This has made me think more about how I “push” for things in my professional capacity as a mental health therapist and as a parent to kids in schools. There are always ways in which we can push the boundaries of the status quo towards what could be better.
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We're moving on from: Endorsement drama |
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💯 Ready for a new mayor
Regardless of what a small group of party insiders say, the will of the people at the Minneapolis DFL convention was clear: Minneapolis residents are ready for new leadership. We are ready to elect Sen. Omar Fateh Minneapolis Mayor on November 4. He shares our vision for a city where workers come before corporate interests. Check out upcoming opportunities to show up with the Fateh campaign.
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How are you doing? Reply and let us know. More soon, Laura Proescholdt (she/her)
Narrative & Communications Director |
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Disclaimer: This is an independent expenditure paid for by TakeAction Minnesota, 2356 University Avenue W, #401A, St. Paul, MN 55114. It is not coordinated with or approved by any candidate nor is any candidate responsible for it. |
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TakeAction Minnesota
705 Raymond Ave Ste 100
Saint Paul, MN 55114
United States
phone: 651.641.6199 |
| Paid for by TakeAction Minnesota |
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