Minneapolis and Saint Paul are Occupied
The scope of the occupation of Minneapolis and Saint Paul by federal goons is difficult to communicate.
It’s extremely fucked up in Minneapolis and Saint Paul, here in Minnesota. ICE is abducting people, snatching them out of cars and alleys and off bus stops. Lots of people are sheltering in place, because you never know who they’re going to grab, and many schools are closed because they target schools at start and dismissal time. They’re tailing people trying to help distribute groceries to those sheltering in place, and targeting the orgs, businesses, and people trying to help. They’re not even pretending to ask for papers. You never know when or where they’ll appear. They’re detaining citizens for hours, days. They’ve shot people. They killed Rene on January 7, and shot a teen in north Minneapolis on the 17th. Not to mention the tear gas, the flash bangs, the “green gas” (which is like tear gas except it’s meant to cause long term damage). They’re knocking door to door, asking for Asians, Mexicans, Black people, Somali people, if anyone knows any immigrants. Families are torn apart, kids are injured and gassed, and documented and undocumented people alike are being targeted, injured, and detained. There’s at least one hospital that ICE is posted up at, hanging out around people THEY brutalized. It’s tense, at best, when it’s quiet, and chaotic when they arrive.
Many days, my friends and I are helping people get groceries and trying to keep people safe, trying to get rest at night through the helicopter noise and flash bangs and make sure everyone is accounted for. I guess I’m letting you know this so you know what it’s like, and to ask for grace and patience. Appointments may need to be rescheduled, as the last appointment I tried to take, ICE tear gassed the block I’m on and my guest had to shelter while the agents and the gas cleared out. I can still make time to create content some, but it’s hard when they’re knocking door to door and I never know if I’ll see my friends again.
Businesses are affected too: workers being abducted, or staying home to avoid being abducted, people aren’t going out and about nearly as much or spending money, people who have lost income or jobs need rent money, lots of businesses have to close for safety, or suspend normal operation in order to provide help and donation support. My work is affected, as I mentioned before. Any support is appreciated.
Places you can donate:
Venmos of those distributing aid or needing direct help:
@alanaespinosa - funds for northside minneapolis schools/families
@powwowgrounds - general community aid and Native community aid
@Chef-Collective-1123 - general community aid, food bank, hot meals
@Nenookaasi612 - support for Native Americans, who are also being detained by ICE
Gofundmes: https://www.gofundme.com/f/bring-gilberto-alvilar-home ; https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-my-little-daughter-and-me-in-minnesota ; https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-bring-rolando-home-to-his-family ; https://www.gofundme.com/f/supporting-the-teachers-who-support-our-children ; https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-for-keiths-daughters-after-tragedy (Keith was killed by ICE) ; https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-south-high-school-families ;
Other aid: https://www.givemn.org/organization/Isuroon (Food shelf for all and Somali family aid)
Other ways to help:
Do NOT support Target, who is collaborating with ICE and allowing them to set up their raids in Target parking lots. Do NOT support Hilton Hotels, who are housing ICE agents. Do NOT support Caribou Coffee. Do NOT support Home Depot.
Please hear our stories. Please look for reporting from Unicorn Riot, which is a completely independent media outlet. MPR is also doing ok sharing about what’s going on. Social media accounts like @jolly_good_ginger and @victoria.public.relations.llc on Instagram are great too.
