SURJ-TC’s March newsletter offers several opportunities to protest, gather in community, learn and organize. Each event strengthens our capacity to show up, face what is before us, and live into the world we wish to be a part of. Join us as we do this work–each of us is needed.  

Despite official pronouncements that the ICE surge is over, our eyes and our neighbors tell us otherwise. The Department of Homeland Security continues to detain people every day, now using more covert tactics. Observers are continuing to document high volumes of activity at the Bishop Henry Whipple Federal Building. All signs point to an ongoing siege.

While the national media focus may have moved on, our communities’ needs have not. In addition to the numerous actions listed below, calls for mutual aid are ongoing. Families who are sheltering will need March rent, groceries, and necessities, as well as ongoing safety measures for schools. Stand up for your neighbors and tap into your networks. We keep us safe.

We’re grieving. We’re angry. We’re scared. We’re exhausted. We’re starting to win. And we must keep resisting until ICE is out. Until there is justice and liberation for all. Sending love to our community.

In this issue:

• ICE out of Target! Sit-in this Saturday and more ways to get involved
• SURJ-TC Welcome Gathering, February 10
• FREE MN: A Plan to Kick ICE Out for Good Non-Cooperation Training and Strategy, 1/31
• SURJ Action Hours every other Wednesday

SURJ-TC in Action: We need corporations to stand up to Trump and say no to ICE!

Our local SURJ community has been working on multiple efforts aimed at withholding our consumer dollars from big corporations that are enabling Trump’s racist agenda and authoritarian takeover. Check out some of our recent actions, and read on for ways you can take action and get involved!

RECENT ACTION REPORTBACKS – CAROLING ICE OUT OF OUR STORES!: ‘Tis the season to spread the word through re-written Christmas carols! Recently members of our community staged two different caroling actions:

We Ain’t Buying It, Home Depot (Sun 11/29): On Sun 11/29, our local folks took one of many actions around the country at a local Home Depot store to tell them “we won’t, we won’t shop here!” while they allow ICE to conduct immigration raids at their stores (sung to the tune of “We Will Rock You”). We sang through the store, and then continued to spread the word outside while serving hot chocolate – all amidst a snowstorm, in true Minnesota fashion!

Caroling ICE out of Target (Sun 12/21): On Sun 12/2 another group of carolers took to Target to bring attention to the Target Campaign described below and pictured above.

We the people are recognizing our power and getting organized in our fights to resist corporate control of our government, replace an environmental waste site in the Phillips neighborhood with a community run urban farm, fundraise for land reparations to Indigenous people and liberate Jason Sole, and others, from the overreaching thumb of the criminal justice system. There are four calls to action below– how many will you do?

We Ain’t Buying It! Nov 27-Dec 1

Corporations have an outsized influence on our government, and unfortunately they’re using it to prop up the Trump regime and enable his inhumane mass crackdown on immigrants.

SURJ is joining forces with the We Ain’t Buying It! Campaign national boycott to send a clear message to corporate America and the Trump administration: you can’t continue to profit off of us while catering to MAGA’s racism. SURJ Ain’t Buying It.

Join SURJ-TC this month to get energized and take action! In this issue, we have opportunities to:

• Find community and join our corporate accountability campaign at the 11/16 SURJ-TC Chapter + Campaign meeting
• Skill up in this Organizing Fundamentals Training Series
• Celebrate local abolition work with the Institute of Aspiring Abolitionists on 11/20
• Watch local group Relationships Evolving Possibilities feature
• Learn how you can support reparations in St. Paul on 11/8
• Join a SURJ-TC welcome gathering on 11/11

We look forward to taking action and building community alongside you!

Fall is an excellent reminder that change is a natural and necessary occurrence.  Part of the lush green leaves we enjoy during the summer months can be attributed to the trees shedding their leaves each fall. Likewise, even in a seemingly impossible situation, we can trust that at some point there will be a shift. 

This month’s newsletter offers opportunities to be part of a shift toward justice-focused change. Keep reading for ways to participate in the SURJ-Unidos Corporate Noncooperation Campaign, the St. Paul Reparations Commission, and SURJ-TC Welcome Gatherings (multiple dates across these opportunities happening this week and the following!).