Category Archives: Politics and Policy

Action, External Organizations, Politics and Policy, Posts & News

“ICE Out of Minnesota” on Friday, January 23rd, Is a General Strike. And Message from SD31

Posted on by D Jeanne

As reported by the Minnesota Reformer, January 23, 2026:

“Citing the killing of Renee Good by federal agent Jonathan Ross, the “ICE Out” day organizers say the general strike is intended to be a day of nonviolent reflection.

“’It is time to suspend the normal order of business to demand immediate cessation of ICE actions in Minnesota, accountability for federal agents who have caused loss of life and abuse to Minnesota residents and call for Congress to immediately intervene,” the website states.

“Demonstrators will march and rally in downtown Minneapolis Friday starting at 2 p.m.

“Over 100 businesses, restaurants and co-ops in the Twin Cities have announced plans to close Friday, according to Bring Me The News, which is keeping a running list.

“Minneapolis was home to a landmark general strike nearly 100 years ago that was organized by truck drivers with the Teamsters Local 574. Minneapolis then was a non-union town thanks to a business advocacy group called the Citizens Alliance.”

Day of Action and Reflection in Minnesota

Message from SD31

DFL Friends— 

While we are heading toward Caucus Night, so much else is going on.  But one of the most important events is the planned Day of Action and Reflection, sometimes called a general Strike, tomorrow— in support of immigrants and refugees, and in resistance to ICE and their cruelty and violence.  Many businesses will close, and people are asked to avoid shopping and other activities if they are able.  Despite the cold, there will also be peaceful demonstrations.

The statement below came yesterday from the American Swedish Institute, and is one of the best explanations of what is behind this Day of Action and Reflection.  My grandfather came to the US from Sweden at age 8, in 1902.  By age 23 he was fighting for the US in WWI.  And most of us have similar stories in our heritage.  So let’s spend some time remembering how our own family stories connect us with our good neighbors— people who have joined us from other places such as Somalia— and support them.  Here is the ASI message:

ASI Will Be Closed on Friday, Jan 23

For nearly 100 years, ASI has welcomed, celebrated, and studied immigration. ASI is a place created by immigrants and has transformed into a welcoming place that inspires curiosity, embraces creativity, and grows community by exploring the past, present, and future.

We are a safe space for learning and connection, especially in moments like these, when our neighborhood needs it most. ASI stands with our community in Minneapolis, the Twin Cities, and Minnesota, now and always. 

On Friday, January 23, ASI will join organizations in Minneapolis and beyond who are participating in a day of action and reflection in response to increased ICE activity in our community by closing for the day. ASI staff are encouraged to participate in whatever ways feel most meaningful to them.  

We invite you to join us in supporting our local community. If we can answer any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out. 

Best wishes, 

Molly Steenson 

CEO & President, American Swedish Institute 

Observe Friday in any way you are able.  Many places of work will stay open and employees cannot all just stay home.  But please avoid any unnecessary business activities— and take this time to reflect on our mutual connections and mutual history— and the importance of keeping the real America alive in these dark times.

AND REMEMBER: Be careful out there…Stay safe and warm!

Peter

Communications Director

SD31 DFL

Action, External Organizations, Politics and Policy, Posts & News, Volunteer

Will You Go to Caucuses on February 3rd?

Posted on by Peter

Why go to Caucus?  Caucuses are the first major events of what will prove to be a very historic election year. 

Be the voice in the room — not the one left out. The neighborhood caucus is where grassroots Democracy begins. Caucuses are the place and time where you can: 

✅ Meet your DFL neighbors — there are lots of us!
✅ Start to get involved and enhance your involvement
✅ Write a resolution to guide DFL policies and platform
✅ Join a committee or local group to work at the grassroots level
✅ Meet candidates and elected officials who reflect your values
✅ Vote on resolutions that influence the DFL Party Platform
✅ OR JUST COME TO MEET FRIENDS AND LEARN MORE! 

Resources:
✅ Non-Attendee Form, if you cannot attend but want to be involved
✅ DFL Resolution Form, for your prepared resolutions
✅ Find your precinct at https://pollfinder.sos.mn.gov/

Register HERE to let the DFL know you are coming.

External Organizations, Politics and Policy, Posts & News

Minnesota Federal Attorneys Resign over DOJ ICE Shooting Investigation

Posted on by D Jeanne

Six attorneys have reportedly resigned from the U.S. Attorney’s Office of Minnesota, with the New York Times reporting the departures are tied to the Justice Department’s approach to investigating the fatal shooting of Renee Macklin Good.

https://bringmethenews.com/minnesota-news/report-federal-attorneys-including-minnesotas-top-fraud-prosecutor-resign-over-ice-shooting-probe

Action, Candidates, Politics and Policy, Posts & News, Volunteer

Caucus Night, Tuesday, February 3rd

Posted on by D Jeanne

Why go to Caucus?

Caucuses are the first major events of what will prove to be a very historic election year. Yes, there is some party business to do, but mainly it is a chance to meet DFL friends and get recharged for the coming campaign year. We need to do everything we can to prevent the GOP and ICE from taking over in Minnesota, and instead to strengthen our progressive influence on state and national politics.

Caucuses are the place and time where you can:

  • meet your DFL neighbors— there are lots of us!
  • start to get involved
  • enhance your current involvement
  • write a resolution to guide DFL policies and platform
  • join a committee or local group to work at the grassroots level
  • meet candidates
  • become a delegate to upcoming conventions
  • even consider running for a DFL position or as a candidate for office!
  • OR: JUST COME TO MEET FRIENDS AND LEARN MORE!

This is our first reminder— please mark your calendars and plan to attend Caucus info events in January AND the Caucuses themselves on Feb 3. Read on for specifics.

Caucus Night clip art
Jaw-dropping, Politics and Policy, Posts & News

Venezuela and Cuba?

Posted on by D Jeanne

Venezuela and Cuba?

Lawrence O’Donnell gave an enlightening explanation of the military action in Venezuela on his MSNOW show this evening (Jan 5, 2026). I’m discussing it because it surprised me, and yet, the scenario sounds truer than any other explanation.

The key point: Venezuela is a dry run for a planned takeover of Cuba. Think back to the Bay of Pigs, a CIA operation that was initiated under President Eisenhower. It was and remains the dream (“the fever dream” in O’Donnell’s words) of then Cuban refugees from Fidel Castro’s Revolution, who are now influential Cuban-Americans, to topple the Castro Revolution. These refugees were not impoverished. Many were wealthy and had just lost their business profits to Communism. The Bay of Pigs invasion wasn’t about U.S. national defense or the preservation of democracy. Not then, not now. It was an effort to reverse the Revolution and bring back capitalism.

The Missile Crisis confrontation with Russia came later. It was a wild year of headlines. As time went by, memories were conflated, confusing in the public mind the motivations of the earlier Bay of Pigs with a Cold War nuclear crisis instigated by Khrushchev who saw a huge advantage of a Soviet-influenced foothold so close to the U.S. During those months of strife over Cuba — its form of economy and its resources — the two actions were not the same. The Bay of Pigs was not a defensive action. The Cuban Missile Crisis, which Kennedy defused with a last moment private negotiation, could have been. (If that is not what you remember, check out the many new histories on the subject or Thirteen Days: A Memoir Of The Cuban Missile Crisis, with foreword by Arthur Schlesinger, Jr., an account by then-Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy).

Likewise, Venezuela is not a defensive action against drug traffickers, as we all know. Trump told us. It is about oil. Despite the dirty crude reported to come from Venezuela, multinational oil corporations are already entering the country. O’Donnell noted that Chevron (which never quite left Venezuela) is already reorganizing. Undoubtedly, Exxon is taking action, too, as well as others. They were part of the plan. Or were they? Do Chevron and Exxon believe that this arrangement will survive succeeding White House administrations in the U.S.? I’m not going there.

But why Cuba? O’Donnell points out that Secretary of State Marco Rubio — the Administration’s advocate and organizer of the Venezuela affair — is a Cuban-American. How likely is he also an advocate for regime change in Cuba? Very. Well, he’s already said it: “Cuba is next.” O’Donnell speculated that that Rubio might even hope to be the one put in charge of “running” Cuba. This administration will never understand that governing is not the same thing as running a business.

But according to O’Donnell, Denmark might take hope. O’Donnell is convinced that Trump’s threat to go after Greenland is just another Trump diversion so that we won’t pay attention to Cuba.

UPDATE (1/11/2026): https://www.thedailybeast.com/trump-issues-takeover-warning-to-neighboring-country-in-morning-rant/

Candidates, Politics and Policy, Posts & News, Posts, Blogs, and Links

Amberson and Chapin Run for Congress in Minnesota District 6

Posted on by Peter

Doug Chapin Runs for Congress in
Minnesota District Six

Doug Chapin

Statement from the Candidate:

“Doug Chapin is running to represent Minnesota’s Sixth Congressional District after a long career as a nationally recognized expert and media commentator on democracy and elections. He spent nine years studying politics, government and law and has over 35 years of experience working in and around public service. Doug served as an attorney in Congress, represented clients in private law practice, and worked as an advocate for federal, state and local election reform nationwide – and built the nation’s first online certificate program in election administration for the University of Minnesota’s Humphrey School of Public Affairs. Doug and his partner Stephanie Tomlinson own Sweater Vest Strategies, a Minnesota-based policy research and advocacy firm. He also is the host of Civics Anonymous, a regular series of nonpartisan discussions on the inner workings of law and government behind the current headlines. Doug is the father of three adult children and lives in Hanover.”

[Website: https://www.chapinforcongress.com/]

External Organizations, Jaw-dropping, Politics and Policy, Posts & News, Public Schools

7% of Minnesota School Board Members Petition to Ban Trans Students from High School Girls’ Sports

Posted on by D Jeanne

(Paraphrased from one of today’s Star Tribune newsletter emails:)

A growing number of school board members want Minnesota to reverse its transgender athlete policy. More than 150 school board members have signed a letter calling on the state to comply with a federal mandate that forbids transgender athletes from competing in high school girls sports.

After almost two days of circulation, the number of signees rose to about 7% of the state’s school board members on Tuesday, including large chunks of the boards in the Lakeville, Anoka-Hennepin, and Farmington districts.

Money is on the line, … Elliot Hughes reports. Officials warned that Minnesota could lose federal education funding if the state Department of Education and the MSHSL don’t change their policies by Friday.

“Every dollar really counts,” said Matt Swanson, chair of the Lakeville school board, who was a signee. “It’s a funding issue. I’m not trying to get on the soapbox.”

But in a response Tuesday to the members’ letter, state Attorney General Keith Ellison said complying with the federal government’s “bullying of transgender kids” would violate the Minnesota Human Rights Act.

[more at the Star Tribune]