Dear John,

Our hearts are heavy with the police murders of Tyre Nichols, Keenan Anderson, and Tortuguita, and the murders and violence in Monterey Park and Half Moon Bay in Palestine and Iran. There is so much we want to transform so that these things can never happen again.

Amidst deep grief and anger this week, we also saw progress at the state Capitol on legislation that will make a big difference in our lives as Minnesotans. This is not an unfamiliar state to find ourselves in – amidst feelings of loss and sadness, we also recognize sparks of hope. We know this mix of feelings is likely familiar to you too.  

It is always important to care for ourselves and each other. In these intense moments, that can be easy to forget. This is a gentle reminder to not forget.

Tyre Nichols, Keenan Anderson, Tortuguita and far too many others should be alive today. We honor their humanity and demand justice.

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

1. Grief

Grief is something that we don’t know how to do in the United States, write the authors of After Life: A Collective History of Loss and Redemption in Pandemic America, which came out this fall. This collection of essays explores grief across individual experience, identity, community, and history.

2. Progress

The Minnesota Senate has been busy this past week passing significant legislation making Juneteenth a state holiday and banning discrimination based on hair.

And today (Friday), the Senate will vote on the PRO Act to protect reproductive freedom, which has already passed the House.

3. More mining bans, please.

ICYMI, the Biden Administration announced a 20-year mining ban near the Boundary Waters. The ban will protect thousands of miles of hiking, canoeing, and camping trails across Cook, Lake, and St. Louis counties.

4. We can do something different than police

Andrea Ritchie and Mariame Kaba’s new book No More Police tells us how.

5. Honoring a forest defender

We share this people-centered podcast often. This week’s Movement Memos episode honors forest defender Tortuguita who was killed by the police while resisting the construction of “Cop City” in Georgia.

6. $9.73 for a dozen eggs?

It’s corporate greed.

7. Working at Starbucks for $0.00

This teacher took a second job at Starbucks in order to cover medical expenses, which add up to more than her paycheck.

8. Everyone deserves billionaires' COVID safety

High-quality ventilation, masks, hotlines, PCR testing, and Far-UVC lighting were all available for the attendees of the World Economic Forum in Davos. Read about billionaires’ COVID protections.

9. North High School sports solidarity

The North High School basketball team unanimously decided to not play the Eden Prairie High School team after the Eden Prairie coach was reinstated from a suspension for using a racial slur. Read more about the powerful message sent by these high school athletes.

10. Fantastical creatures

For real!

And that’s a wrap!

Send us what you’re reading, watching, and listening to.

Until next time,

Katie Blanchard (she/her)
Basebuilding Director

Jessica Zimmerman (she/her)
Development Director