Working together
i kicked over every anthill between three slabs of concrete sidewalk in front of my Gram's house in the Whittier neighbourhood in Minneapolis. i was in a gnarly mood after a too-hot-and-sticky summer night of sleeplessness, was bored, and could think of nothing better to do after breakfast. Little did i know my Gram was watching me on the front porch and was not pleased with my behaviour.
i went to live with one of my Gram's, my father's mother, for a time as a six-year-old. She was a loving woman who had grown up in harsh circumstances, and while she could be warm and generous, when she saw something that rubbed her the wrong way, a sterner aspect emerged. Gram called me to the porch, told me to come in, sat me down. She told me i would need to go back outside and watch those ants, who had scattered in panic as i destroyed their homes, rebuild their mounds before i could come back in. While i wanted to snap at her, i knew better. So with tears in my eyes, i went back out in the heat to sit on the lawn to watch those 'stupid' ants. Gram moved her sewing machine out onto the porch; she'd be watching.
Slowly, my sadness, anger, and self-pity melted with the day as i watched the ants re-order themselves to begin their task. Some burrowed, while many hauled fine grains of sand and soil back and forth. Over time, what seemed like a long time, i began to appreciate the tediousness of their work that on the surface appeared to be forever lost. They had not planned to spend their day in this way, either, yet there they were toiling away without break or disruption, determined to rebuild. Meanwhile, Gram brought me a drink of water periodically and checked 'our' progress. i said little to her as my fascination grew with the ants.
When Gram was satisfied that reconstruction was well underway, around six hours later, she told me i was allowed back in the house, told me to eat my supper, then go straight upstairs to bed. i did as i was told with few words said. The next morning i went downstairs. She was fixing breakfast and greeted me as i entered the kitchen. When i sat down to eat she joined me at the table and asked how i was and what i had learned the previous day. As i shyly shared my observations and the lessons i'd learned from the experience of doing what i did and what i'd learned from the ants, she was visibly pleased. We shared a hug and moved on. i revisit that day in my mind with more regularity lately...as well as the lessons learned.
— jester
Next Democracy Defenders Meeting
Topic: E-Waste
- When:
- Wednesday, March 4, 6:30–8:00pm
- Where:
- Cook Community Center
510 Gopher Dr.
Cook, MN
Keith Steva will speak with us about E-Waste: What it is, what it does to the environment, and what we can do about it.
Breakfast in the Afternoon
- When:
- Friday, February 27, 2:00pm
- Where:
- TBD
Here's your opportunity to set the agenda for our future actions and programming!
All are welcome to attend.
Signing & Resisting Events
Each Friday at noon at the following locations:
- Cook: Hwy 53 and River Street
- Tower: Mainstreet by the locomotive
- Ely: Sheridan St. & Central Ave
Signs should include issues common to everyone like good jobs, enough money for food and healthcare, and a good education.
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Other events
Boundary Waters Day at the Capitol
Events planned all day
- When:
- Tuesday, February 25, 8:00am–7:00pm
- Where:
- MN Capital Rotunda
Join us to rally for clean water at the Minnesota State Capitol and engage your legislators, along with others who care about the health of Minnesota’s greatest resource! Stand up for the Boundary Waters and make sure our elected leaders understand the grave importance of clean water.
Trump has made it clear that he plans to roll back BWCA protections and open the Superior National Forest up for copper-sulfide mining, and his allies in Congress have pushed though a bill that would open the area around the Boundary Waters to copper-sulfide mining. Whatever your party affiliation, the danger to the Boundary Waters is very real, and we hope you’ll take action!
We’ll help you set up meetings, and provide a training to talk to your elected officials. Just bring your own water bottle to use refill stations!
RSVP to get signed up and connected to your legislators!
Trainings — Community Defense and ICE Watch
by States at the Core (STAC)
- When:
- February 25, 6:00pm
- Where:
- Zoom
"Join this 90-minute training from States at the Core and Protect RP on effectively protecting your neighborhoods from federal enforcement incursions. ICE Watch and other rapid response tactics are key strategies being used by people across the country to protect their communities against aggressive activity from federal law enforcement agencies like ICE and Border Patrol. Whether or not you are part of an established community response network, this training will share important skills for building neighborhood resilience, documenting ICE activity, and supporting neighbors. In addition to covering the basics of ICE Watch, we will discuss new analysis on ICE operations, rapid response tactics, and safety guidance."
Virtual Town Hall with Cyle Cramer
hosted by Duluth Indivisible
- When:
- February 25, 6:30–7:30pm
- Where:
- Online
As part of our commitment to voter education and engagement, Duluth Indivisible is hosting individual Town Halls with all of the candidates for the House of Representatives in Congressional District 8. This Town Hall is with Cyle Cramer.
What Rural Communities Need to Know about Data Centers
Presented by Rural Assembly in partnership with Radically Rural
- When:
- March 4, 1:00pm CT
- Where:
- Online
Data centers are rapidly expanding into rural communities across the country, bringing promises of economic development alongside concerns about water use, energy costs, and local control. But the facts around these developments are far from settled, and communities often find themselves reacting to proposals rather than preparing in advance. The landscape is changing quickly, with new developments, legislation, and research emerging regularly.
Locked Out & Left Behind
Rural Urban Bridge Initiative
- When:
- March 4, 3:00pm CT
- Where:
- Online
In this timely conversation, we’ll explore new research on what’s often called “voter apathy” and uncover a different story: many people who don’t vote aren’t disengaged from their communities, they’re disengaged from a political system they experience as distant, unresponsive, and built for someone else.
Leveraging the Law
The power and promise of legal action in Minnesota right now
- When:
- March 5, 12:00pm
- Where:
- Online
Join legal experts dedicated to using the courts to protect the public as they break down what’s happening, unpack ways in which the rule of law is at risk, discuss how and why it still matters, and share what you can do to help protect it.
Free Community Meal
Strength through Community
- When:
- First & Third Sundays, 12:00–3:00pm
- Where:
- 510 Chestnut Street
Virginia, MN
- Free hot meal
- Food distribution
- Clothing distribution
- Free store table
Note that food, hygiene, clothing donations are needed!
No Kings 3.0!
Hold the Date
- When:
- Saturday, March 28, 2026
Our Breakfast In The Afternoon meetings will primarily be set aside for planning this event.
We need people to step up to make this a successful, fun, peaceful uprising.
Calls to Action
Oppose the SAVE Act
Call our Senators
The House has passed the SAVE America Act by a vote of 218-213; Rep. Cuellar (D-TX) was the lone vote that crossed party lines. The bill now moves to the Senate.
Support Iron Range Families in Need
Donate!
In this very difficult time, we have community members that are unable to work and so they are unable to pay their bills and are choosing between groceries and heat.
Northland Legal Mutual Aid Fund
Urgent assistance for Jose
Northland Legal Mutual Aid Fund is a collective of friends & community, union organizers, and electeds from northern MN/WI working directly with individuals and families in need of legal and financial support, including people unjustly detained in the Douglas County Jail under an intergovernmental I.C.E. contract.
There is an urgent need for funds as a result of the ongoing administration's attack on our immigrant community and neighbors. Right now, community members are confronting unexpected legal and immigration costs, lost income, and urgent basic needs — and they need support now.
The Northland Legal Mutual Aid funds raised will go towards:
- Immigration attorney and legal fees
- Bail bond and filing costs
- Travel and communication expenses
- Basic family and financial needs while their loved ones are detained
Boycott!
Take a stand
Some of the US’s biggest companies are coming under increasing pressure to speak out about the Trump administration’s Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)’s operations in Minnesota.
Postcards to Swing States
Progressive Turnout Project
Progressive Turnout Project boosts Democratic voter turnout with data-driven organizing, trained Campaign Fellows, and handwritten postcards to key voters—driving measurable results in critical races.
