MN political action planning

posted May 25, 2018 3:23 PM | |

Wed May 30 at 6:30 PM, Midtown Global Market, East Lake Brewery

920 E Lake St, Minneapolis, MN, USA (Map & Directions)

I am in - any day would work but Tuesday or Wednesday would be best.

Tiny Diner is easy for me. I don't drive but could bus elsewhere in the metro.
posted by Frowner at 4:37 PM on May 25, 2018

I will have to check my calendar at home, but I think Monday afternoon works (especially later in the afternoon ). I love the tiny diner.
posted by Elly Vortex at 6:47 PM on May 25, 2018

I'm out of town next week, but I'll keep up with this thread. This is a great idea.
posted by Mental Wimp at 11:27 AM on May 26, 2018

I'm busy Thursday, but it looks like the gravity is towards other days anyway.
posted by paper chromatographologist at 11:29 AM on May 26, 2018

Preference for Tue or Wed at Tiny Diner, but can do anytime/where.

And don't know if this is relevant at all, but it's supposed to be incredibly hot on Monday. (So somewhere with A/C, if we do that day?)
posted by cudzoo at 12:22 PM on May 26, 2018

Does the Tiny Diner have A/C? It's going to be ~99 degrees in the afternoon, and that is going to be rough, also I will be biking.
posted by Frowner at 1:49 PM on May 26, 2018

Any of the weeknights would work better for me. Not sure if I'll be able to make it Monday, but will try.
posted by triggerfinger at 4:45 PM on May 26, 2018

I'm interested in this and am an attorney licensed in Minnesota, if that's useful for anything particular (I'm not an immigration attorney). I work an approximately regular schedule and will try to show whenever this is, and will be interested in helping out regardless of whether I can make the meeting.
posted by bile and syntax at 5:00 PM on May 26, 2018

I think we're kind of tied between Mon/Tue/Wed, so I would say let's go with Wednesday. If the Tiny D will be too hot (pretty sure they do have AC but I think it gets hot anyway) we could do either Blue Moon or Midtown Global Market. Another place in that area is Sister Sludge, their new location on 38th Street is pretty spacious. I've never been to Blue Moon so I don't know how big it is.

Frowner, I suspect you live right by me so if you want a ride someplace let me know.

Could we do 6:30 on Wednesday?

I always wonder if I am going to show up and find out one of you is my IRL friends.
posted by Emmy Rae at 6:48 PM on May 26, 2018

This may be/become relevant: https://twitter.com/ErinMayeQuade/status/1000532036711600129
posted by Emmy Rae at 6:57 PM on May 26, 2018

I'll be there, wherever it is. This is a new sort of thing for me, but this is a new sort of times. (I'm pretty timid, and this sort of thing is something I'd usually back away from.)

I'll be coming from St Paul (Randolph/35E), so I can provide rides from the east. I'm happy to also help with costs. I can provide a ride home to wherever.
posted by nicething at 8:11 PM on May 26, 2018

I would actually be more into 6:30 on Wednesday than Monday afternoon for a bunch of reasons (although if Monday works best, I would gladly accept a ride!). Blue Moon isn't the best for a gathering of more than four-ish, so I might concur about Midtown - we would have ready access to a variety of foods and beverages for all needs (there's a decent tiny grocery there, so there's fresh fruit and vegetables in addition to all the food stalls), there is lots of parking and the jug band scheduled for that day is performing at lunch, not dinner.
posted by Frowner at 5:39 AM on May 27, 2018 [1 favorite]

Right on. I am dealing with a family emergency and it is appearing more unlikely that I will be able to come this week, but please keep me (and those of us who are unable to come) up to date on what's happening.
posted by Elly Vortex at 8:53 AM on May 27, 2018

Another item to be aware of and possibly research: https://twitter.com/SenTinaSmith/status/1000491621882978304
posted by Emmy Rae at 11:06 AM on May 27, 2018 [1 favorite]

I get the sense that we are Wednesday now? Or is that wrong?

I am an average-height, not-that-thin white person with short brown hair, round wire framed glasses and a square brownish nylon backpack. I'll be wearing some kind of short sleeved button-down.
posted by Frowner at 3:03 PM on May 27, 2018

Wednesday would be great for me. I'm a 5'11" white guy, blondish hair and an attempted beard. I'll wear a blue plaid shirt. I'm going to send Frowner and Emmy Rae my phone number. Again, if you need a ride from the east, let me know.
posted by nicething at 7:54 PM on May 27, 2018

I'm going to be out of town, but please keep me up to date on what's planned.
posted by ALeaflikeStructure at 4:36 AM on May 28, 2018

Yep, confirmed for Wednesday. I am a 5'5 white woman with light brown hair. I'll wear a navy blue collared dress and a green backpack.
posted by Emmy Rae at 6:19 AM on May 28, 2018

I have a list of demands from MIRAC for specific local things to support undocumented immigrants - I'll bring that and a couple of other things I have.
posted by Frowner at 6:38 AM on May 28, 2018

Hry all, if anyone is free at 6:30 tomorrow there's a rally at Amy Klobuchar's office arranged by the interfaith coalition for immigrant rights. It is at 1200 Washinton ave s. I am going to try to stop by for a little bit before work.

Here's the call:


* We want Senator Klobuchar to call for an immediate end to the Trump administration's policy of separating children from their families when they arrive together.

* We want Senator Klobuchar to immediately schedule hearings regarding the unnecessary and inhumane separation of families, the abuses of immigrants and asylum seekers while in custody, and the violation of people's right to seek asylum.

* We want Senator Klobuchar to vote NO on all funding for ICE and CBP.

* We want Senator Klobuchar to introduce legislation to abolish ICE.


On Wednesday morning we will be visiting the office of Minnesota's senior senator, Amy Klobuchar, to demand that she take immediate action to address the human rights abuses of immigrants by the US government.

* We want Senator Klobuchar to call for an immediate end to the Trump administration's policy of separating children from their families when they arrive together.

* We want Senator Klobuchar to immediately schedule hearings regarding the unnecessary and inhumane separation of families, the abuses of immigrants and asylum seekers while in custody, and the violation of people's right to seek asylum.

* We want Senator Klobuchar to vote NO on all funding for ICE and CBP.

* We want Senator Klobuchar to introduce legislation to abolish ICE.
posted by Frowner at 5:25 PM on May 29, 2018

It's 6:30am - I didn't mean to omit that crucial fact!
posted by Frowner at 7:28 PM on May 29, 2018

So basically a LOT of the Interfaith and MIRAC stuff has been 7am-ish outdoor rallies. I think it's worthwhile to organize something in addition for several reasons - most importantly, I think it's key that Klobuchar, Ellison, etc hear from multiple groups who are together for multiple reasons. In my ideal world, they would feel that people from all walks of life, including people who don't necessarily go to a lot of stuff, are so upset about the immigration situation that they are self organizing.

I also think it's important to back up MIRAC, etc, and if anyone is feeling like attending other events put on by other orgs, I would be very into going to them.

To reiterate because now I'm worried that folks will miss my first correction - the event on Wednesday is at 6:30 in the morning!
posted by Frowner at 7:39 PM on May 29, 2018

I went to the action Frowner told us about this morning! About 30-40 people. Fox news (local) was there and so was channel 4. Seemed like TakeAction MN had the most representation of local groups but I could be wrong. I left just before 8. The group seems likely to meet at the same time next Wednesday in front of Keith Ellison's office. It will be organized on whatever facebook page this one was organized on. I'm not on facebook so I don't know about that, but maybe Frowner can tell us.

See you tonight.
posted by Emmy Rae at 6:46 AM on May 30, 2018

This morning's rally in the news.
posted by Emmy Rae at 7:29 AM on May 30, 2018

I will try to be there tonight. I'm a 5'8" white woman with brown hair, wearing a paisley dress (now I have to go wash that dress)
posted by Elly Vortex at 8:17 AM on May 30, 2018

Would people be ok with meeting at the brewery? Outside if it isn't raining? If I remember right their space is a little nicer to be in.
posted by Emmy Rae at 9:35 AM on May 30, 2018

What brewery is this? I am only familiar with the big central space. I'm sure it's fine with me, but I don't know where it is!
posted by Frowner at 9:36 AM on May 30, 2018

It's on the south end of the building. Looking across Lake street to US Bank.
posted by Emmy Rae at 9:39 AM on May 30, 2018

It's Eastlake Brewery. It's part of the market, in the southeast corner, right on Lake Street.

I agree with Emmy Rae: their space is nicer than the food court in the middle, which can be loud. And they're totally fine with people bringing other vendors' food into the place.

I'm planning on being there. 5'10 white guy. I'll wear a blue T-shirt.

Also, if you're driving, you can often find free parking on Lake Street, and the neighborhood blocks south of the Global Market.

EDIT: Sorry Emmy Rae, your comment hadn't loaded yet.
posted by cudzoo at 9:43 AM on May 30, 2018

No worries. Thanks for chiming in!
posted by Emmy Rae at 10:50 AM on May 30, 2018

Another news report from this morning: http://minnesota.cbslocal.com/2018/05/30/amy-klobuchar-donald-trump-immigration/
posted by Emmy Rae at 1:11 PM on May 30, 2018

Rather than give people pieces of paper which might easily be lost, I'll just make a note here - this is the list of "Sanctuary Now" demands made by the Minnesota Immigrants' Rights Action Committee:

1. Legal representation for MPLS immigrants who are detained by ICE
2. Minneapolis municipal ID available to all residents (which can be used as an ID for transactions, service access, etc)
3. MPLS government should press Hennepin County sheriff and commissioners to stop cooperating with ICE in deportations
4. Implement policies that reduce immigrants' exposure to ICE agents
5. Hold legal clinics around the city to assist people in applying for residency or citizenship
6. Guarantee certification of U visas (visas for victims of crime or abuse who are willing to assist police in apprehending perpetrators) with an expedited process for anyone in deportation proceedings
7. Comprehensive review of city data practices; steps taken to prevent ICE from accessing data that could be used to deport people
8. Increase city resources to enforce labor laws, with focus on sectors that tend to employ a lot of immigrant workers and have a lot violations - low wage, day labor and informal sector
9. Strengthen tenants' rights and increase penalties for landlords who victimize tenants based on immigration status
10. Allow non-citizens to vote in such municipal elections as the city controls
11. Reveal any city participation in the "Countering Violent Extremism" program (which targets Somalis and other Muslim communities) and release a statement condemning CVE
12. Enact a city ordinance prohibiting the establishment of ICE detention or training facilities in the city limits and prohibits municipal entities from contracting with ICE or DHS.
13. Establish a new municipal office for immigrant & refugee relationships.
posted by Frowner at 2:54 PM on May 30, 2018

I’m early because I’ve never been to a meet up before, so I was psyching myself out. White lady, chin length brown hair and glasses, navy patterned dress.
posted by MsDaniB at 4:04 PM on May 30, 2018

Anyone who didn't make it: if you are willing to message me your email address, we'll start a group email for further planning. We are hoping to meet again in St Paul in a few weeks. Thanks all!
posted by Emmy Rae at 5:47 PM on May 30, 2018

I'm sorry to miss out tonight. Emmy, I will send you my email.
posted by Elly Vortex at 6:02 PM on May 30, 2018

Hi all,

I'm putting together an email later today with meeting notes (and future stuff will mostly go by email rather than here!), but I saw this this morning and wanted to post it right away - tomorrow, June 1, there is a national day of action against family separation, and there is a lawyer-organized gathering/sign-holding at the Hennepin County government center (right on the train line) at noon:

Number 2: Take part in the #FamiliesBelongTogether National Day of Action . Actions are being organized around the country. (If you’re in the Twin Cities, lawyers are organizing a meet-up at the Hennepin County Government Center fountain on Friday at noon. Bring your friends. Bring a sign. Bring a lunch. Consider wearing white. There won’t be any program. We just want to gather a big group to show that the community believes America must treat every person with respect.)

Linked from law firm The Advocates For Human Rights

Unless something happens to prevent me, I plan to go since it's basically five minutes by train from my work.
posted by Frowner at 6:11 AM on May 31, 2018

Hi all,

If you were at the meet-up and have not received an email from me, please me-mail me your correct email!
posted by Frowner at 11:49 AM on June 1, 2018

Hey guys, sorry I couldn't make it, I had to work late. Still interested in being involved, and will send you my email Emmy Rae!
posted by triggerfinger at 3:55 PM on June 1, 2018