Dear John,

In today’s News Digest, I’ve included a link to a recent campaign speech by New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani. In the speech, Zohran says the following:

“In twelve days, New Yorkers will begin to cast their ballots. We will vote for our next mayor. But more than that, we will make a very simple choice. A choice between democracy and oligarchy. A choice between a city you can afford or more of the same. A choice between a mayor who works for those straining to afford groceries or those straining to buy an election. A choice between the hope of a brighter future and a broken past… 

We’ve been told to wait as our friends and neighbors have moved away. Told to wait as our city has only grown harder to afford. Told to wait as a good life has drifted out of reach.

My friends, we are not afforded the luxury of waiting. Because too often to wait is to trust those who delivered us to this point.”

Although the city he references is NYC, I couldn’t help but hear his words in reference to Minneapolis, my beloved home. Because we, too, have a choice between all of the things he listed. A choice between the same broken promises of a wealthy establishment, or a new vision designed for all of us. Particularly now, as queer Minnesotans are threatened, funding for basic needs like food and healthcare is in limbo, and shadowy industries seek to take power over our livelihoods, electing local leaders committed to defending the needs of everyday folks matters.

While New Yorkers work to elect Zohran Mamdani, we have to put in the work, between now and election day, to elect Omar Fateh. We know that big money isn’t on our side — but the people are. Go to the polls as soon as possible, and encourage your friends and neighbors to do the same. Sign up to phonebank for Omar alongside People’s Action and TakeAction! Even if you aren’t in Minneapolis, we need you. If Zohran’s words prove anything, it’s that all of our futures are connected, and together we win.

Here's what we're reading, watching, and listening to this week: 

1. Conversion therapy bans are in danger

Minnesota is among 20 states that ban licensed mental health professionals from practicing conversion therapy — a homophobic, unscientific, and dangerous practice — on their patients. Now, SCOTUS deliberations on a similar Colorado law could overturn all of these bans.

2. Frey's deleted texts

Mayor Frey has been accused of deleting important communications that are legally meant to be part of the public record, specifically regarding the Lake Street ICE raid in June and a south Minneapolis shooting last year. His office has defended itself citing that the messages fell under the “transitory communications” policy, but experts say the city has played “fast and loose” with the open records law.

3. Ceasefire updates — "do not lose hope, do not despair"

Nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners were released from Israeli captivity on Monday, along with all 20 living Israeli hostages. However, reports show that Israeli forces have continued to kill Palestinians in Gaza despite the ceasefire agreement. Members of Minnesota Palestinian and Jewish communities expressed mixed feelings about the ceasefire deal.

4. SNAP in limbo

The federal government notified states this week that there won’t be enough money to continue funding food assistance programs if the government shutdown continues into November. Nearly half a million Minnesotans rely on SNAP benefits, and food shelves don’t have the capacity to pick up the slack.

5. Walz commission greenlights BlackRock takeover

The state gave BlackRock its stamp of approval to acquire Minnesota Power earlier this month, despite widespread opposition. The private equity giant is also looking to buy up tons of AI data centers around the world — for those unfamiliar with BlackRock, I recommend this video by More Perfect Union.                

6. Childcare crisis worsens

Minnesota is in a childcare crisis, and rural residents are hit the hardest as costs go up and facilities close their doors. More and more parents are having to rely on family, friends, and neighbors (FFN) to care for their children, often without pay.           

7. How worker solidarity combats xenophobia

“We have a whole lot more in common with our immigrant neighbors, brothers, sisters, and siblings than we do with those that try to divide us. We, as workers, have a common enemy that is raising prices and keeping our wages down consciously—and it’s not your immigrant neighbor,” says SEIU Local 509 President Dave Foley.

8. Zohran's speech

NYC mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani’s recent campaign rally speech was hopeful, inspiring, and resonant nationwide. A transcript for the video is here.

9. MAHA Christianity in MN

In my last newsletter I mentioned my years-long quest to learn as much as I can about white Christian nationalism, and I am equally interested in how it merges with conspiracy thinking and the rise of the MAHA movement. Keith Harris does an incredible job reporting on the deeply unsettling convergence of these ideologies at last weekend’s “Freedom Summit” in Alexandria. 

10. Fasc-shion? The aesthetics of Trump

Authoritarianism is killing personal style — Kelsey Stiegman of Teen Vogue unpacks the MAGA-fication of fashion in this fascinating essay. TLDR: resist fascism and dress colorfully!

That's a wrap!

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

Until next time,

Charlie Bartlett
TakeAction Member