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.
TARGET CAMPAIGN:
SURJ-TC members are working within UNIDOS MN to spotlight immigration concerns, amidst the other concerns, fueling the local/national boycott of Target. Locally, Target allowed ICE to stage in its East Lake parking lot, and local unions reported several ICE raids at Target stores in early December. And all this after Target donated $1 million to Trump’s inauguration and dropped its DEI commitments in January. They’re clearly supporting the racist authoritarian takeover and abandoning their commitments to helping families and supporting local communities.
Because Target serves and profits from immigrant customers and workers every day, we are asking Target to speak out against the harm to our communities and businesses, and to stand up for human dignity.
TAKE ACTION:
- Tell Target: “helping ICE separate families is abominable!” by using this link to send a quick email to Target VP Erin Tyler: https//bit.ly/MNTARGET
- Reminder to shop local this holiday season, instead of supporting the corporations who are enabling Trump’s racist deportation machine and authoritarian power grab. We’ve compiled this list of local shopping resources to help you find what you’re looking for: surjtc.org/wheretoshop (this was created for the We Aint Buying It campaign over the Black Friday weekend, but you can keep using it)
- Let us know if you want to get involved in the Target campaign! Email showingupforracialjusticemn@gmail.com with “Target Campaign” in the subject line, and we’ll connect you with our growing group of folks working within UNIDOS MN on this campaign!
Welcome Gathering January 13
Being in community is a powerful support and antidote to disruptions and changes all around us. This Welcome Gathering is an opportunity for you to learn more about us and see if we could be a potential community ~ a political home ~ for you. We are offering a Welcome Gathering on Tuesday, January 13 from 7:00pm – 8:30pm over Zoom. We will share stories about anti-racism in our lives and then talk about how you can get more involved with SURJ-TC and how we can support you in deepening your commitment to racial justice work.
Please register here if you would like to attend. We will send the Zoom link, along with a reminder a few days before.
We offer Welcome Gatherings regularly, so if you are interested and can’t make this one, keep an eye on the newsletter for future dates.
Jason Sole is finally pardoned!
On Wednesday, 12/17, after a long wait and a lot of runaround, the MN Board of Pardons finally granted a full pardon to our partner, the Institute of Aspiring Abolitionists’ founder, Jason Sole! This took more than a year since his pardon application, and along the way, Jason helped shed much-needed light on this little-known process, illustrating how much further we have to go to get to a fair and equitable pardon system in MN (despite reforms implemented in recent years). Our SURJ-TC community has appreciated the opportunity to learn about clemency and pardons and to reflect further on their role (redemption, forgiveness) in abolition work. We’re excited for Jason to be free of these shackles, and for us all to keep working towards liberation from the prison industrial complex!
Check out this 2-min KARE-11 video clip of Jason immediately after he was granted his pardon on Wednesday: https://youtu.be/WGTQqxuxuGY?si=n8jq4S961eS2CdTu
Congratulations to Jason Sole, and stay tuned for more ways to engage with the Institute of Aspiring Abolitionists in 2026.
OTHER TWIN CITIES OPPORTUNITIES:
Local Immigration Defense: Defend the 612!
We Keep Us Safe
Are you one of thousands of people with the energy and willingness to protect your community from militarization, occupation, kidnappings, and abductions? Check out Defend the 612 (https://defend612.com) to get connected to hyper-local (neighborhood/nearby geographies) rapid response groups!
Can you donate to support whistles and vests for rapid responders? https://defend612.com/donate/
Embodying Antiracism: Somatic Practices in Community for White Folks Seeking Co-liberation
Thursdays this winter!
Overview: This cohort-based learning experience is an opportunity for white folks in our community to get to know how systems of domination manifest in and between our bodies – specifically the patterned ways white bodies have been conditioned to move and relate around race. Together, we’ll grow our capacity to be with the grief and shame of our people’s history and present, and develop relationships and practices that can help us move through our stuck patterns and shift towards greater alignment with our values. As we become more resilient in the face of discomfort, feedback and uncertainty, we become more able to take risks, use our power towards repair, and cause less harm – making us more trustworthy and effective co-conspirators on the journey to liberation.
Facilitators: Rachel Svanoe Moynihan & Lilah Gliksohn
Full Description: here!
Join an Intro/Q&A Calls!Wednesday 12/10 7-8 pm, Monday 12/15, 6-7 pm on Google Meet
Register here to join one of these calls and learn more!