Dear John,
Donald Trump and his administration are ramping up their hateful rhetoric and violent actions — this time, they are coming explicitly for Minnesotans, targeting our Somali community and abducting our neighbors from the streets. We must fight back.
I am buoyed by the words of Congresswoman Ilhan Omar in a recent speech defending her community against these vile, racist attacks:
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“Somalis have always seen themselves as the fabric of this nation. […] Not only are we not going anywhere, we are not going to let anybody make us feel less Minnesotan or less American […]. What we learn from Minnesotans is that you have to be resilient to thrive in Minnesota, and we are goddamn resilient.”
Somali and Latine, documented and undocumented, folks who were born here and folks who moved here — all of us belong here and deserve to live in peace and safety. In this moment where a lot of us feel fear, uncertainty, and grief, we must continue to show up for and with each other. None of us should have to be resilient alone.
Here’s what we’re reading, watching, and listening to this week.
ICE in MN
One week after ICE agents abducted a man from his home in St. Paul, the New York Times reported that ICE is launching a new operation targeting Somali immigrants in the Twin Cities. Rep. Ilhan Omar appeared on CNN this week to talk about how the attacks on the Somali community are Trump’s attempt to “hide the fact that he has failed to deliver on nearly all of his promises.”
Looking for a way to stand with your neighbors and against ICE? Plug into the Monarca Rapid Response network.
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MN paid leave
Minnesota’s paid leave program launches on January 1 — this FAQ is a helpful resource. TakeAction members mobilized for years alongside other Minnesotans to finally win this policy at the legislature in 2023.
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Men now make up majority of working caregivers
57% of worker-caregivers in 2025 were men as opposed to 2023 when 56% were women. This isn’t a sign of increased gender equality, though — it’s because women are being forced out of the workforce
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Juvenile diversion program
Following recommendations from a U of M study, Hennepin County is expanding a program that offers juvenile offenders an alternative to the traditional court system and is designed to prevent repeat offenses.
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Ranked-choice strategy in Minneapolis mayoral race
A new analysis by the Sahan Journal shows that only 27% of voters ranked Omar Fateh, DeWayne Davis, and Jazz Hampton (in any order) on their ballots in November. The analysis shows where in Minneapolis the ranked-choice strategy was most and least effective.
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ICE going after dissenters
The Trump administration is now being open about its plans to target American citizens who oppose ICE in addition to undocumented communities. ICE has recently spent millions of dollars on surveillance technology to aid in this unconstitutional operation.
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How much comfortable living costs in MN
According to new research, a single adult in Minnesota would need to earn $98k annually to live comfortably according to the 50/30/20 budget rule. The median annual income for individuals in the state is currently $52k.
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Hegseth breaks international law; Trump targets Democrats
New evidence shows that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth unlawfully ordered the killing of all passengers in a strike on a boat in the Caribbean in September. Instead of holding Hegseth accountable, the Trump administration is now accusing Democratic congress members of treason for reminding troops that they don’t have to comply with unlawful orders.
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A response to right-wing reporting on MN fraud scandal
Kayseh Magan, a seasoned fraud investigator of Somali descent, published a commentary piece in the MN Reformer debunking racist right-wing claims about the involvement of the Somali community in recent pandemic relief fraud charges. Magan writes that the reporting “appears to be little more than an effort by the right-wing propaganda machine to whip up hatred against Somali Americans.”
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Mercury Stardust: The Trans Handy Ma’am
On a lighter note, check out this delightful interview conducted by The Trans Handy Ma’am, Mercury Stardust. TakeAction Senior Organizer DyAnna Grondahl discusses Duluth Right to Repair and what this new policy win means for renters. Mercury is the New York Times best-selling author of Safe & Sound: A Renter-Friendly Guide to Home Repair.
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And that’s a wrap!
Send us what you’re reading, watching and listening to.
Until next time,
Charlie Bartlett
TakeAction Member
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TakeAction Minnesota
705 Raymond Ave Ste 100
Saint Paul, MN 55114
United States
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