Artet Jazz Night + Terror Tapes

We're nearing the end of what's felt like the longest January in years.

With so much happening in the news every day, it's been hard to keep our motivation and spirits up. But like you, we're watching the heroic people of Minnesota rise up and stand up, and we want to help.

Here are some ways to help from here:

Thousands of people have either already completed or signed up for the Monarca network’s legal observer trainings—they fill to capacity quickly, but keep an eye on the website, as new ones are often added. Some of the resources (like signage that were previously available on their website, are no longer accessible, though they still have their rapid response line (612-441-2881). 

Big shoutout to organizer Ashley Fairbanks, who created Stand With Minnesota, an invaluable resource for both finding and offering support to neighbors as ICE's metro operation continues. 

You can call or email, either is fine. If you’re insecure about this and need a little help, 5calls.org has scripts. Tell them you want Kristi Noem removed and ICE abolished. If you think there’s absolutely no chance they’ll listen to you if you say you want ICE abolished, say you’re shocked by what they’re doing and this lawless rogue agency needs to be reined in and the agents need to unmask and wear badges like every other law enforcement agency. If you’re talking to a Democrat, emphasize that you don’t think “better training” is an appropriate approach here (in the real world, that just means “more money”).

Letters to the (newspaper) editor feel profoundly old school but they matter in a couple of ways. First, they are kind of the physical documentation of the Overton Window. This means they’re extra influential on the Senators and House Reps you’re calling, because they tend to showcase the most median, normcore set of opinions. A newspaper editorial page in Nebraska that’s full of letters saying “ICE is a rogue agency; it needs to be dismantled” will help to make “abolish ICE!” feel like a safer and more reasonable stance for politicians to take.

The ACLU has a how-to guide for people writing letters to the editor. (On any topic, not specifically ICE.)

Arguably the most important company to boycott is Amazon. ICE uses Amazon Web Services for its data and surveillance operations.

Amazon

Whole Foods (owned by Amazon)

Menards

Lowe's

Home Depot

Target Corporation

Walmart

Sam's Club

Stand With Minnesota has a page with a lot more substantive information on who to contact and how. They also have a link to a toolkit on contacting the corporations and a spreadsheet of the specific hotels that are housing ICE agents.

With all the bleak shit happening in our country, finding a bit of joy can seem like a dissonant concept, but building community and being active locally means that we're building an inherent shortcut to togetherness when needed. 

We will continue to host event nights to bring us together and to lift our spirits.

Singer and songwriter Charlie Craichy opens.

Entering an asylum to prepare for a movie role, a young woman is double-crossed and left behind by her director. With six new starlets auditioning for her role at a remote mansion, a masked murderer seeks revenge.