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Dear Neighbors,

It’s been a violent and volatile start to the year, and with eyes of the world once again on our Minneapolis community. On Wednesday, the day after President Trump deployed the largest ICE operation in U.S. history - sending over 2,000 more agents into Minneapolis - a Minnesotan was shot and killed.

Renee Good should still be with us.

None of ‘Operation Metro Surge’ is about public safety - in fact, ICE is destabilizing our communities and making us all less safe. Whether it’s speeding down a one way the wrong way [ [link removed] ], abandoning children [ [link removed] ], kneeling on pregnant women [ [link removed] ], pushing and handcuffing educators and administrators [ [link removed] ], ICE is making every day living more dangerous for all of us. 

ICE is making MN less safe

As we and our neighbors are trying to live our lives, armed, masked individuals are coming in, arresting people - even citizens - without cause, sowing fear,  and now they’ve killed one of our neighbors. I was at the scene with our community on Jan 7th after Renee Good was shot and killed by an ICE officer. I witnessed the FBI collecting evidence, and I and other elected officials were assured that there would be a joint investigation with Minnesota’s Bureau of Criminal Apprehension. That promise has since been walked back by the federal government with no justification provided. State law requires full and thorough investigations in the event of law enforcement-involved shootings. I'm fighting for accountability and a complete investigation, one in which evidence is shared with our local professionals. In the meantime, *the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office is encouraging members of the public to share any original video or other evidence they have via this **link* [ [link removed] ]*. *

The widely circulated, graphic video of Ms. Good’s death contradicts statements of DHS Secretary Noem. Propaganda and its spread is dangerous, and with an ever evolving tech society, we all bear a collective responsibility, grounded in our shared humanity and fundamental decency, to stand firmly against it and promote the truth. Words matter. 

In the past week, thousands have gathered to honor and remember Renee, and it was indicative of how powerful and comforting standing with community can be. I was even more heartened how people across the country [ [link removed] ] are standing with us and against such unwarranted force from ICE. 

*What can you do?*

I am very adverse to hyperbole. But I want to be clear how unprecedented the aggression, blatant lies, and disregard for Constitutionally protected rights of due process as well as state and local laws are coming from this current federal administration. We cannot take this lightly. There are many options to participate in standing up for our neighbors and democracy. I welcome you to take a look at this list and consider if there are ways you can support.

*1. Know your rights of your home and private spaces.* Please spread the word to neighbors, particularly those you know may be at risk.

City of Minneapolis

City of Minneapolis Know Your Rights Graphic - three main ways to protect yourself.

*2. Raise your voice -* There will be more opportunities to gather, mourn, raise our voices, and peacefully protest - when doing so I encourage you to stay safe and know your rights [ [link removed] ].

*"3."" Bridge Brigades -"* I joined members of the Bryn Mawr Neighborhood Association over the weekend to rally on the pedestrian bridge over highway 394 in support of justice for Renee and against ICE’s illegal tactics. Check in with your neighborhood association [ [link removed] ], local groups, or organize your own rally along roadsides. These simple acts help solidify the message and reach people in ways that traditional media and social media cannot.

Bryn Mawr

Image: Bryn Mawr Bridge Brigade over the weekend displaying signs and flags.

*4. Rapid response and constitutional observer opportunities *


* Monarca - [link removed]
* Immigrant Defense Network - [link removed]

*5. Be aware of immigrant rights*


* ACLU - [link removed]
* Immigration Legal Resource Center – Red Cards. Cards you can print to keep so that you know your rights: [link removed] [ [link removed] ]

*6. Mutual aid networks - there are neighbors who are unable to procure groceries, get to work, take kids to school, or even take out their trash without risking exposure to ICE.* Taking on such tasks can be an immense help.


* Check in with your neighborhood organization [ [link removed] ], local school, Monarca [ [link removed] ], or this list [ [link removed] ]organized by SWAE for local networks to plug into.
* Joyce Uptown Foodshelf [ [link removed] ] is supporting many mutual aid networks. Please consider donating.
* Verified GoFundMe: Support Twin Cities families in Crisis: Metro Surge [ [link removed] ] - collects funds to support families in need. The main focus to date has been rent support. They’ve been able to help 10 families thus far, but their waitlist is now approaching 50 families. Some of you may recognize the organizers as very engaged and active resident leaders in Southwest.

*7. Report rights violations to the ACLU* ([link removed]) 

*8. Organizing in your daily life -* Do you have opportunities to speak up and create plans in your work, education, and volunteer spaces to keep everyone safe? For example, ICE has been known to target people while they are commuting.  If you’re a manager in your job, can you allow your staff flexibility to work from home? As another example, have you checked in with neighbors who may be at risk? Do they know their rights?

Light in Honor of Renee Good

Image: Candle lit in honor of Renee Nicole Good at the Monarca Upstander Training I attended with Sen. Murphy, Sen. Dibble, Rep. Long, and Council Member Shaffer and hundreds of community members on Jan. 7th.

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As President Kennedy said at his inauguration, “my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you — ask what you can do for your country.” It’s going to take all of us being creative and working together to support at-risk neighbors and push back against federal activity that is antithetical to our democratic ideals.

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*What are State officials doing to protect our community?*

My fellow legislators and I are taking a whole of government approach to find ways to curb illegal federal law enforcement behavior. We’re working with the Governor’s office to demand that the BCA have access to all of the evidence in order to conduct a thorough investigation into the ICE officer shooting of Renee Good. We’re drafting policies to require transparency and accountability from all law enforcement such that they are identifiable by face, name, and agency. We’re supporting Attorney General Ellison in suing the federal government to stop their blatant violations of basic Constitutional protections. And we’re showing up with you at rallies, in the streets, in schools, and at hospitals to fight for our neighbors. If you know of someone who has been detained and needs help, please don’t hesitate to contact me.

*Survey Reminder*

My 2026 legislative survey is still open through 1/16; if you haven’t had a chance yet to share your input and how you’ve been impacted by federal action, please click the link here [ [link removed] ]. 

*Keep in Touch*

Please continue to be in touch with questions, input, or ideas. We are in this together.

Warmly,
Katie Jones
State Representative 






State Representative Katie Jones

5th Floor, Centennial Office Building
658 Cedar St.
Saint Paul, Minnesota 55155

Phone: 651-296-9281
Email: [email protected] (replies to this newsletter are not monitored).
Website [ [link removed] ]

Legislative Assistant: Spencer Crose 651-297-8129

Follow Rep. Jones on Facebook [ [link removed] ] and Bluesky. [ [link removed] ]

 

 








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