There is something for everyone to do

Yes, everyone. Yes, you. Yes, now.

Photo by Lorie Shaull via Flickr CC BY 4.0

All day, the coverage of ICE’s murder of Alex Pretti was interspersed—incredibly, awfully, comically, tragically—with updates on the blizzard blanketing the eastern US. Images clouded, with tear gas, or snow. Two ice storms, both deadly, both smothering America. Less than three weeks ago, they killed Renée Good.

By now you will have read the news, seen the videos, chosen for yourself whether to accept the evidence of your eyes and ears. These are intolerable things. The cruelty is the point, and you are right to grieve and rage. But also, these are times for hope, and resilience, and resistance. The refusal of Minneapolis to comply with a thuggish federal invasion is at once heart-rending and awe-inspiring. The ICE Out general strike that drew tens of thousands in subzero temperatures; the mutual aid networks delivering food and supplies; the community patrols, armed with whistles and phones; the businesses that closed their doors; the women with walkers; the drummers; the journalists; the salt-buyers; the ones arrested as they prayed.

There is something for everyone to do. Yes, everyone. Yes, you. Yes, now.

I am paraphrasing a post from activist and organizer Brittany Packnett Cunningham, who shared ways to get involved, whether you are in Minnesota or halfway around the world in London. Here are ones I found most helpful:

1. Follow local voices. These are the journalists, activists, and others on the frontlines, with the most reliable viewpoints and information. Here is a list of local news outlets and independent media. Amplify those viewpoints, with preference to the most marginalised voices. If you can, subscribe or donate to support their work.

2. Correct propaganda. Call a lie a lie. Don’t repeat unsubstantiated government claims. Help people develop media literacy and understand why truth matters.

3. Build community networks now. Minneapolis is the blueprint for how to resist. Get to know your neighbors, establish mutual aid groups, set up Signal chats, think about those who will need help most when ICE inevitably comes to town.

4. Donate. Stand with Minnesota has a comprehensive directory of mutual aid funds, legal support orgs, emergency service providers, and other groups doing rapid response on the ground. There are so many groups doing the good work—take some time to browse through. So far I’ve donated to:

   • Minnesota Freedom Fund

   • Unidos MN Education Fund

   • Resources for frontline organizers

5. For the Americans: call your representatives. Tell your elected leaders not a penny more for ICE brutality. Chuck Schumer has already indicated Democrats are ready to shut the government down Friday over DHS funding. Now is the time to keep the pressure on. Look up your US senators’ names. Call the Capitol switchboard at 202-224-3121. If no one answers, leave a voicemail, or look up the in-state number on the senator’s website. As for what to say: here’s one script. Here’s another. Here’s Kerry Washington doing it. Call twice a day, once for each senator. Your calls work. Your calls are working.

There is something for everyone to do. Grieve and rage, but also hope and resist. If not now, when? Do it today. Do it now.