Dear John,

Today, many businesses and restaurants in Minnesota are shuttering their doors in protest of the violent, lawless federal occupation of the state. [1]

If you want to see what American fascism looks like, look no further than ICE’s actions in Minnesota.

There are the headlines you see:

The murder of Renee Good, a mother who was called a “fuckin’ bitch” by the agent after he shot her in the head. [2] A five-year-old stolen from a running car on his way home from preschool. [3] An old man wearing shorts and crocs dragged from his home into the cold winter air without charges or an explanation. [4]

And there are so many stories that aren’t making the national news. Just yesterday a dear friend who works in a Twin Cities organization serving the immigrant community shared with me the story of a client forced to give birth at home because she worried going to the hospital would lead to falling into ICE’s crosshairs.

This is America?

I’m actually writing this message with tears in my eyes, because I grew up in Minnesota. My family lives in Minnesota. Many of my closest friends are in Minnesota. It is a state that, for me, will always be home.

It is in this spirit that I wanted to share the best place you can help. Stand with Minnesota has a directory built by activists on the ground showing where you can donate. Of the many worthy organizations listed there, a few that friends have lifted up to me include MN Together, which offers mutual aid for impacted Minnesotans, and Inspire Change Clinic, which is providing medical services to impacted community members.

I usually write asking you to sign our petition, or take action with us, or donate to support our work to increase access to abortion and advance reproductive justice. And yes, there are enormous intersections between democracy, immigrant justice, abortion access, and reproductive justice. (And yes, our team is out protesting JD Vance at the so-called ‘March for Life’ today!)

But, today, in solidarity with the many Minnesotans striking and demonstrating, I wanted to urge you to consider if you have room to help a state under siege. Minnesotans are doing a terrific job in unimaginable circumstances. May we all follow their lead.

Thanks for all you do for a better world.

Cordially,

Erin Matson
Co-Founder, President, and CEO Reproaction

[1] https://minnesotareformer.com/briefs/ice-out-of-minnesota-day-is-this-friday-heres-what-you-need-to-know/
[2] https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2026/01/renee-good-ice-agent-slur.html
[3] https://www.cnn.com/2026/01/22/us/minnesota-liam-conejo-ramos-ice-detained
[4] https://www.cbsnews.com/minnesota/news/ice-elderly-hmong-american-citizen-arrested-st-paul/

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