Dear John,

I hope you’re doing well! Besides the snowstorm, I’m getting so excited for the People’s Celebration on Saturday night. It’s going to be an incredible event celebrating TakeAction’s 15th anniversary. If you haven’t already, contribute to fuel this work by 7 p.m. on Saturday. I hope you’re planning to join us at the virtual celebration!
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I’m also excited to share this week’s News Digest with you. Last weekend, I watched The Battle of Algiers for the first time (kind of remarkable since I am Algerian). It was incredible, and now I understand why it is called the best political film of all time. Filmed in 1965 with only one professional actor, the story focuses on the anti-colonial struggle of Algerians and the violent war to win independence from France in the 1950s and 1960s. So many themes are still relevant today in struggles for liberation. It ends on a note of hope. Let me know if you’ve seen it. Otherwise, check out the links in the Digest.

Thank you for all your notes last week.

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

1. Public Safety
I’ve got three important pieces on public safety for you this week: a commentary about Chief Arradondo’s retirement by City Councilor-elect Robin Wonsley Worlobah, an update on the work in Brooklyn Center to form a new Department of Public Safety, and an update on Mayor Frey’s budget that pours an additional $27 million into the failing, unaccountable police department.
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2. Military Budget
The U.S. Senate is on track to approve a staggering $778 billion military budget – larger than the next 12 militarized countries combined. Learn more.
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3. Amazon
A new report from the National Employment Law Center finds Amazon facilities in Minnesota have high rates of injury and pay inequities. The report concludes, “Amazon has exploited existing labor market inequities to fuel its growth at the expense of the wellbeing of its workers and their families.” Read the full story on Amazon’s mistreatment of workers in the Star Tribune.
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4. Labor
In huge labor news this week, Kellogg announced its firing of over 1,200 workers on strike and Starbucks workers won their first union!
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5. Activist Leadership
The squad is growing in D.C. and around the country. This is a great piece in the Washington Post diving into the activist leadership of Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley.
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6. SCOTUS
This morning, the U.S. Supreme Court issued two rulings that end the most promising pathways to blocking Texas' abortion ban. In her dissent, Justice Sotomayor said the decisions don't just betray Texas citizens' federal rights - they also "betray our constitutional system of government." The Center for Reproductive Rights explains it well in this piece.
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7. Education Debt
Eighty-nine percent of student borrowers who work full time are not financially secure enough for federal loan payments to begin again. Learn more about the latest effort for Biden to extend the loan pause.
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8. Debt
This is a short, brilliant piece in The Intercept called Your debt is someone else’s asset. Watch it here.
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9. Film
I’m still thinking about The Battle of Algiers. Watch this extraordinary film on YouTube. Read more about its lasting cultural significance.
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10. Musical
The newly adapted and updated West Side Story is getting rave reviews. Watch the trailer and read more about the film.
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That’s a wrap. Send me what you’re reading.

- Kenza Hadj-Moussa

Paid for by TakeAction Minnesota

TakeAction Minnesota
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Saint Paul, MN 55114
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