Resistance, Remembrance, and a Little Llama Therapy

From packed caucuses to candlelight vigils, we stand together—even when it’s overwhelming

A Note From Judith:

Did you attend caucuses this Tuesday?

If it was your first time attending a party caucus, like mine, what you saw may not have felt extraordinary. Still, caucus veterans told me turnout was far beyond anything they had anticipated.

The Waconia Middle School filled with more than 300 people. I saw many familiar faces, and I’ve heard the same happened all over.

ICE activity continues to terrorize our communities.

It has not slowed down. Many people believed that when we were told 700 ICE agents would be sent home, we might feel some relief. The opposite has been true.

Just yesterday in Minneapolis, agents grabbed a woman off the street…for the second time. Yes, she had already been detained once and released after proving her citizenship, and then they did it again. She has a heart condition and ended up in the hospital.

I follow Aaron Parnas for my news; the Epstein emails read like something out of a horror movie. I do not understand how so many people involved have not been put in handcuffs yet. It was never about protecting children. It is about protecting rich men.

I’m overwhelmed and I know many of you are, too.

Between trying to protect our community, volunteering, protesting, and keeping up with a full-time job, it can feel like it’s still not enough.

What fills my heart with hope is seeing you all every Saturday.

This Saturday’s gathering

This Saturday will be warmer again. Along with our regular coffee, hot cocoa, and treats, we’ll be joined by:

• Tori, bringing free chili (donations welcome; proceeds go to the Immigrant Defense Fund),

• The Llama Squad, arriving at 1:30 p.m. (I could definitely use some llama therapy!),

• Andie, with more yard signs for sale. These sell out fast, so grab one early.

Kim will be at the coffee and treats table collecting names and phone numbers for those interested in volunteering at protests, especially the March 28 “No Kings” protest, from 1–3 p.m.

All donations go directly toward coffee, supplies for volunteers, and helping community members with food, hygiene products, and other essentials.

Candlelight Vigil: This Saturday

There will be a candlelight vigil at 7:00 p.m. at Lake Waconia Regional Park, in honor and memory of Renee Good and Alex Pretti, and all those affected by federal immigration enforcement violence. Please bring a candle.

Every Saturday: Three Protests

(See details below.)

• Chanhassen: 10:00–11:00

• Waconia: 11:30–12:30

• Chaska: 1:00–2:00

Our Chaska protest is having an impact: Emmer quietly moved out of his Chaska office last week.

Ways to connect

• Coloring Night: Tuesday
  Please sign up here.

• Trivia Night: February 24
  Register here for another way to support a restaurant affected by what’s happening:

A final word

The last few months have been tough. Overwhelming. Keep reading the news. Keep analyzing it. Keep being outraged.

We cannot let this become normal.
We cannot become desensitized to what these men did to these little girls.
We cannot become numb to masked men taking our neighbors away.

So keep your eyes open and your heart open. Because alongside all of this horror, there is also you and me.

We are showing up.
We are fighting in every way we can.
And we will not look away.

See you Saturday.

Chaska Protests

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]

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.