Dear John,

We deserve a world where all of us can live safe, stable, and fulfilling lives. We deserve public leadership that puts our health and lives before power and profit.

My sadness and grief have turned into anger. We are still mourning 10 people killed in Buffalo, as our hearts break for Uvalde. As we acknowledge and remember George Floyd, we are sick about what little progress has been made to rein in a violent and corrupt police department. My head hurts looking at the millions of dollars spent on policing in Uvalde that did not and could not protect those children. Everything is interconnected.

These are difficult times, but I believe in the power of people to create change. When there is a will, there is a way. In a heavy news week, I hope this News Digest brings some medicine to you in the form of the Tik Tok art poetry (#7) and podcasts on hope that ask the question, “What could possibly go right?” (#9)

I’ll be out for a family vacation next week with my adorable three- and one-year-old niece and nephew. The Digest will be back in early June.

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

1. George Floyd Anniversary
For the past 4+ years, Mayor Frey has had exclusive control over MPD and continues to fail our city. On the 2nd anniversary of George Floyd’s murder by MPD, the New York Times covers what’s happened in the past two years. From stories like this to Uvalde and Buffalo, the themes are the same. Police don’t keep us safe.
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2. Minneapolis
Watch and listen to the Democracy Now! interview with City Councilor Robin Wonsley Worlobah on the 2nd anniversary of George Floyd’s murder by MPD.
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3. Secretary of State
This Minnesota Reformer headline says it all: Minnesota GOP endorses elections denier to oversee elections.
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4. Uvalde
There is zero evidence that more police in schools stops or prevents school shootings. As NRA-backed politicians parrot old talking points about more policing in schools, read Cops Didn’t Stop the Uvalde School Shooting in The Intercept.
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5. The Establishment + Primaries
The Democratic National Committee went to the mat this week to support an anti-choice, NRA-backed incumbent Congressman in Texas primaried by Jessica Cisneros, a progressive Democrat. Pelosi has vowed to support every incumbent Democrat in the House, including those who are anti-choice and bought and paid for by Big Pharma and the NRA. This piece in The Nation argues that Democrats don’t have to agree on everything but—at a minimum—must stand for something.
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6. Midterms
This survey of voters under 35 is sobering. The disillusionment of a Democratic Party that’s failed young people and protects spineless incumbents is real—and it’s why grassroots-led, primary elections are critical. Read the full results of the midterm vibe check survey in Teen Vogue.
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7. TikTok Art
“They’ll call you the left when all you want is rights.” This 38-second TikTok poem by a creator named Ayanna Albertson spoke everything we are feeling.
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8. What Could Go Right?
When researching articles about the power of deep canvassing this week, I stumbled upon this podcast episode called What Could Possibly Go Right? with Britt Wray, author of Generation Dread: Finding Purpose in an Age of Climate Crisis.
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9. Hope
Bookmark and listen to this podcast: Hope is not a given. We must cultivate it together.
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10. Burrito Tape
The discovery (none of us?) have been waiting for: students at Johns Hopkins invent edible tape to keep your burrito closed.
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That’s a wrap. Send me what you’re reading.

- Kenza Hadj-Moussa



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