Gray Days, Clear Purpose

A reflection on the headlines and the work happening right here in Carver County

Winter does not want to let go, it seems. Mother Nature teases us with a day of amazing weather and then several days of gray skies. I hope this Saturday will at least be dry and not so windy.

It is Thursday as I write this, and I am sure you have heard that Pam Bondi was fired. On Wednesday evening, Trump went on TV to tell us that he is winning and is going to obliterate Iran.

Under the Desk News, which I highly recommend listening to or watching, points out that they think this is an attempt by Trump to distract us. From what? That they are lying about U.S. casualties and injuries. Almost every base in the Middle East has been bombed, and most cannot house soldiers anymore. With that many bombings, the number of dead and injured must be higher than what they are telling us. He also said he would commit genocide on 92 million Iranians. Let’s not forget that Israel has now said they are going to continue taking over Lebanon. Oh, and we are already starving Cuba too.

Eight million people stood up at No Kings protests all over the USA, and now we have to keep going. Here in Carver County, a group of us is going to focus on voting rights and making sure everyone goes to vote in 2026. Others are going to help get people like Dan Kessler, Doug Chapin, and Joe Brothers elected. More and more people are trying to spend their money at companies that align with their values. I follow Shop Blue USA on Facebook, and they also have a website at shopblueusa.com that goes over which companies give to the Republican or Democratic Party.

At the protests, we need to keep hammering on the Epstein files and now also on the wars that are killing Americans and will have repercussions that may last decades, if not longer. I am not going to end this newsletter with doom and gloom.

There is so much we can be thankful for. Spring is coming, and Bountiful Baskets also takes donations of homegrown produce. If you have an overabundance this year of tomatoes or zucchini, please consider donating them. Latino Voices will be having their last hygiene deliveries this Friday, as they are going to switch back to the work they had been doing before the surge. They are also moving and will be expanding some services.

Did you see how many kids attended the No Kings protest? We are showing the younger generations how to stand up, and that is amazing.

What are you doing to make a difference? Let me know the next time I see you.

Judith

Upcoming SW Protectors Events

This coming Tuesday, April 7, Monique and David will present a behind-the-scenes review of the strategies and tactics a big group of us used to defeat the potential contract to rent Carver County jail cells to ICE.

On April 21, Ellie Krug will speak about running for School Board Director.

On June 2, Bountiful Baskets will join us for a discussion.

Chaska Protests

Every Friday from 3:00–4:00 p.m. at the corner of Chaska Blvd. and Chestnut Street (Highway 41) [Map]

Every Saturday from 1-2 pm at the corner of Hazeltine Boulevard and Highway 41 (Chestnut) [Map]

Chanhassen Protests

Every Saturday from 10-11 am at 7700 Market Boulevard [Map] Public parking is available behind City Hall.

Waconia

Every Saturday from 11:30-12:30 pm at Highway 5 and County Road 10 in front of the Starbucks and Jersey Mike’s. [Map]

Norwood Young America

Every Sunday, 11 a.m.–12 p.m. (Line up at the bike path south of 212 by Reform Street.)

SW Protectors

Every first and third Tuesday from 6:30 – 8:00 pm. It’s no cost and come and go as you like.

Please do buy something to eat or drink, though, to support our venue, which is The Bellows restaurant and it’s located at 232 Pioneer Trail in Chaska.