Dear John,

What a wild week it has been, from the halls of Congress to the streets where local elections are taking place on Tuesday. What’s keeping me going is the fact that we, the People, have the power to decide our future, and our voices are the most powerful at the local level.

On the doors, we’re finding so many people still don’t know elections are happening on Tuesday. It’s well worth your time if you sign up for any volunteer shift.

Stay tuned for next week’s Digest where we’ll dive deeper to what’s happening with the Build Back Better bill (and I’m going to invite you to TakeAction’s upcoming People’s Celebration!).

Thank you for all your notes. Hope your Halloween plans are fun. The 1991 blizzard was the first Halloween I remember. It’s only gotten better.

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

1. Minneapolis Elections

With less than two weeks to Election Day, here are this week’s must-read headlines:

• Why didn’t Mayor Jacob Frey insist on an after-action report following the death of George Floyd? And why is it that Minneapolis voters still don’t have one? By former Mayor Betsy Hodges in MinnPost
• Election 2021: Minneapolis Mayoral Race. Kate. Sheila. Jacob. Election guide by writer Naomi Kritzer
• Minneapolis leader Erica Mauter on why she’s voting Yes on 2, Minnesota Reformer
• In Minneapolis, the movement heads to the voting booth, The Nation
• While some city workers are warned against politics, police chief steps to the podium, Minnesota Reformer
• Minnesota Untold: Black & Blue, Fox 9
• Minneapolis Council President Bender files ethics complaint over police chief's news conference, Star Tribune
• Vote NO on City Question 1—Mayor already has huge power, Star Tribune
• NEW: “The eyes of the world” mini-documentary (vote NO on City Question 1), TakeAction Minnesota

2. Progressive Caucus

The Congressional Progressive Caucus in Congress has been flexing its power as corporate lobbyists and moderate democrats aim to gut and compromise on federal bills. Read the latest and this thread from Congresswoman Omar. (Thank you, Ilhan!)

3. #CancelStudentDebt

In the U.S., we have $1.7 trillion of student debt. Rep. Omar is pushing Biden to keep his promises. Read more (and thank you to everyone who shared your stories during yesterday’s day of action!).

4. St. Paul

In this piece, a St. Paul renter and senior shares her story of the 66% rent increase that displaced her from her East Side home. Live in St. Paul? Vote YES for rent stabilization and read this story.

5. Amazon

Organizing takes trust and time. Check out this powerful interview with Amazon workers.

6. Facebook Papers

Everything you need to know about the Facebook Papers. (Note: the mega corporation is about to undertake a massive re-brand). Read it here.

7. Emergent Strategy

Great new podcast with adrienne maree brown. Listen here.

8. Charlottesville

Four years since the deadly and violent “United the Right” rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, civil litigation efforts are beginning this week. The strategy behind civil litigation is basically to bankrupt responsible white nationalist groups. Listen to the story and read more.

9. Inspiration

Sent by a reader, this is a beautiful interview with Margaret Wheatley called “Warriors for the Human Spirit.” Read the transcript or add to your podcast list.

10. Dune

Movies are coming back! The sci-fi film version of the Dune book is getting high marks. Read the review and watch the trailer.

That’s a wrap. Send me what you’re reading!

- Kenza Hadj-Moussa