In this issue
- Call U.S. Senators (Right now, if you can!)
- Protect the 2026 Elections
- Where are the churches?
- Upcoming Events
- Inspiration
You don’t have to do everything. But do something.
1. Call U.S. Senators
After setting the conditions to pass the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) budget, the Democrats in the U.S. Senate must stand strong. Minority leader Sen. Chuck Schumer insists that Democrats will not give an inch and that they will not pass the DHS budget until some basic demands are met: 1) No Roving ICE Units, 2) Accountability, 3) No Masks, 4) Body cameras.
If you don’t think that the Democrats are asking for enough, you are not alone.5Calls.org suggests stronger language that includes a ban on deporting children, a ban on tracking people, and oversight to ensure humane conditions in detention facilities. See 5Calls.org for more information. Meanwhile, restaurant workers have launched an 86 Ice Campaign (See VIDEO or Read ARTICLE).
Minnesota U.S. Senators Contact Information
5Calls.org is just one organization that makes it easy to contact your representatives. Or use the numbers below.
Sen. Amy Klobuchar
Sen. Amy Klobuchar
Minneapolis Office
DC Office
Online
Scan QR code on the left to add Sen. Klobuchar to your contact list. Then send her a quick message to support her in holding the line. DHS must not be funded until ICE is held accountable.
With Sen. Klobuchar seeking the DFL endorsement for MN Governor, now is the time to remind her that we’re paying attention. We expect all Democrats to use all of their power to protect us from Trump’s secret police.
Sen. Tina Smith
Sen. Tina Smith
St. Paul Office
DC Office
Online
Scan QR code on the left to add Sen. Smith to your contact list. Then send her a quick message to support her in holding the line. DHS must not be funded until ICE is held accountable.
2. Protect the 2026 Election
The SAVE Act has passed the U.S. House of Representatives. Again, the U.S. Senate is our last chance to stop this voter suppression bill. Read more:
Not to sound like a broken record but…
Please call your senators. They must use everything within their power to stop the SAVE Act, including making the defeat of this bill a condition of passing the DHS budget. Now more than ever, we need Democrats to be tough. “The SAVE Act is designed to block eligible people from voting, not to protect elections. Demand your representatives oppose the SAVE Act and protect voting rights for all.”1 Right now it doesn’t seem like this bill will pass in the Senate and that it will not take a filibuster to stop it. Nevertheless, we must be loud in our opposition to it.
Make it Real * Make it Fun
- Host a “Call Congress” party.
- Film yourself making calls and post your short videos.
How can we be proactive?
Elections attorney Mark Elias of DemocracyDocket.com has proposed legalization that states can pass to protect elections. In this article (and video below) he proposes that states immediately:
- Ban third-party voter challenges and other forms of vigilantism.
- Provide criminal and civil remedies for voter intimidation.
- Revise and strengthen election-certification laws.
For a full list of recommendations for state and federal legislation, see DemocracyDocket.org.
3. Where are the churches?
After minister and activist Nekima Levy Armstrong and St. Paul School Board member Chauntyll Allen were indicted for protesting alongside journalists Don Lemon and Georgia Fort, Leslie E. Redmond – former president of the Minneapolis NAACP – has some questions: “I wonder how Cities Church can stay quiet and silent when peaceful protesters are being prosecuted politically. Where journalists are being prosecuted politically. I wonder where all the churches are…
Minnesota Council of Churches, where are you? Isaiah, where are you?
Minnesota Council of Churches, where are you? Isaiah, where are you? …We have to ask ourselves, who is not present and accounted for? Where are they and why are they silent? Why do we live in a world where Nekima and Chauntyll… have mug shots before Jonathon Ross… You’re telling me that voices and speaking truth to power is more of a crime than killing someone in cold blood… We wouldn’t be here today but for Rene Nicole Good being killed for standing up for her immigrant brothers and sisters.”
Watch the full press conference on YouTube.
4. Upcoming Events
Day on The Hill, Minnesota State Capitol
In Minnesota, February is “Day on The Hill” month at the Minnesota State Capitol. It’s a popular time when – right as the legislative session gets going – constituents lobby their representatives. Though anyone can make an appointment with their state representatives, in February many travel in groups. For example, the Minnesota Nurses Association has a day on the hill planned for March 3, and Unidos MN has a “day on the hill” planned for February 26.
If you have never lobbied an elected official, make it a first this year. Find out who represents you in the MN Legislature.
In addition to the legislation that Mark Elias is proposing, we can support Minnesota lawmakers who have been busy drafting legislation related to the impact that ICE has had on our community. Here is a press conference of state lawmakers from around the country, including those from “red states,” who are working to do what they can to protect states from federal abuse.
Truth, Trust & the Ballot Box: Understanding Election Security
Tuesday, March 24, 2026
6:30 PM – 7:45 PM
Ramsey County Public Library, Roseville, MN
Going into the 2026 elections, we will need to be informed about how elections work in our state. Minnesota has some pretty amazing safeguards, including random audits that can trigger statewide recounts. We’ll need to be prepared to be able to talk about this issue, as attacking the validity of the vote will be a tactic to steal the election in 2026.
No Kings Protest
March 28
A Valentines Concert – TODAY
TODAY! February 14, 3 PM,
Art Gallery of the historic Hennepin Avenue United Methodist Church
511 Groveland Avenue in Minneapolis.
Our neighbor Ralph will be performing in Love, Chorus Polaris – Premier Minneapolis jazz vocalist Thomasina Petrus will be the special guest performer at Chorus Polaris’ 20th season Valentine’s Day afternoon gala. Artistic director William Mathis will lead the chorus in selections celebrating love, drawing from classical, Broadway, and pop genres. An ensemble will perform the hilarious Warren Martin semi-staged comedic musical work, “The True Story of Cinderella.”
Inspiration
We are working in concert with each other. Even when we call our representatives, we are not alone. Here’s a funny stories to prove it. Recently, Cheryl was at Costco looking at the peanut butter. She and the stranger next to her quickly realized that they were allies, both answering a call for a local food drive, like the one Annie recently led. She opened up her porch to receive donations and people responded!
