Feeling Helpless? Here are Some Things You Can Do Right Now

I've had a lot of messages from out-of-Minnesota friends asking "What can I do to help?" Others, even here, are feeling like they don't know how to start making a difference on this. And the truth is, though thousands of Minnesotans are forming patrols around schools and daycares to protect our kids, or volunteering at immigrant-owner restaurants to be door people, or delivering groceries to those in need, there's plenty more that you can do that takes relatively little time. So here are my top tips:

If you want to advocate, download the 5 Calls app. It's an easy way to reach out to your elected leaders (you know, the ones that are supposed to carry forward the will of the people). You can easily connect to your legislators any time of the day or night, and they provide a sample script in case you are calling before coffee and can't put your thoughts together. 5 Calls handles all sorts of topics, but right now it's mainly about ICE-related issues.

If you want to double your impact, try a donation that makes a difference. You can go online to El Burrito Mercado and buy a gift certificate, and they'll give that to Neighborhood House to buy groceries for families in need. You get to help people AND support an immigrant-owned store whose sales are really hurting right now. 

If you're looking for somewhere else to donate, let me know. I can connect you to any number of places that support food donations, rent relief, pet shelters taking in the animals left behind when people are abducted, dash cams for observers, etc.

If you have items to donate, that works too! Earlier this week we cleaned out our winter gear and dropped it at Catzen who was making bags to give detainees when they were released, often into the woods with no coat, phone, etc. (Catzen is at capacity with that right now). Last night, we cleaned out our pantry and brought it to the Insight food drive (not sure if you still get a free beer for that, but whatever). There are scores of other places holding food drives if you don't like beer. There are places collecting gently used toys and books for kids stuck at home, pet supplies, etc. I can connect you with those too.


Want your shopping to make a difference? Small businesses in Minnesota are really feeling the hit; the economic blockade is real. If you're not here, maybe you want to order online from a bookstore or some discreetly delivered sex toys? If you're local, I can connect you to some place that really need/deserve your support. If you particularly like a local place, like the Black Hart, call and tell them that you want to buy Minnesotans a beer, and they'll start a bar tab. Let's make sure that our businesses make it through to the other side!

Wanna get out and see people and see a show? I highly recommend the "Salty Variety Show" this Saturday at 825 Arts, a fundraiser for the Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota.

Feeling more like doing some analysis? When your dad's second cousin posts on social media that "they're all criminals," feel free to go to Detention Reports and help them out by providing some stats directly from the federal government. For instance, in the Dilley Immigration Processing Center in Texas, 98.7 of the people contained are listed BY ICE as "non-criminal." Hardly sounds like "the worst of the worst," does it? (Note: I thought I knew a lot about this and I went down a rabbit hole and was thoroughly surprised by the data. I highly recommend digging into it).

Got some time to listen? All of us in the Twin Cities have first-hand stories by now. And don't think that it's because we're special. It's going to be everywhere, soon, unless we all do something.

(This post dedicated to my friend David in New Jersey, who early on asked what he could do. He and his wife Allison donated to several of the places I suggested and last week sent a photo of themselves at a candlelight vigil at their congressperson's office)

ETA: My friend V, a notary, reached otu to say show now carries her notary seal and DOPA forms with her at all times. Reach out if you know someone in need of that, and I'll put you in touch.


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