The resistance is not over. In some ways, we are just beginning.
The election is over, and we are now moving on to the next stage. Just because we had a blue wave does not mean we can stop resisting. We have Democrats to hold accountable, too. And as Trump is losing his mind, we can expect more desperate actions.
Closer to home, we need to prepare for new work-reporting requirements for some Minnesotans on Medical Assistance. Some Minnesotans are already facing tighter eligibility rules for SNAP food benefits.
Veterans Day made me think of Alex Pretti, who cared for veterans as an ICU nurse at the Minneapolis VA. We’re still waiting for accountability in the killings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti. ICE is continuing to grab people off the streets, including here in Minnesota. This week, federal immigration agents arrested a Robbinsdale man in his front yard.
VA health care facilities across the country are reporting staffing shortages. When people give themselves over to their country and promise to protect it, we owe it to them to make sure they’re taken care of.
The protests will continue as they have been and so will SW Protectors. This Tuesday, November 17, I invite you to meet us at the Golden Kitchen at 6:30 p.m. so we can discuss what the next phase will look like. We’ll talk about future speakers, how to build resilience in our community, and what you can do to help protect our democracy.
In Europe, governments have been talking to their citizens about being prepared. The queen of my country, Queen Máxima, even began training as a Dutch Army reservist in February. The Royal House said she wanted to contribute to the country’s security because it could no longer be taken for granted.
Prepared for what? Think about what happens when the systems we rely on every day suddenly stop working. In October, a cyberattack hit refrigerators and freezers at more than 700 retail sites in France. The French government attributed the attack to Iran and estimated that tens of millions of euros’ worth of food spoiled. In November, another wave of cyberattacks hit refrigeration systems at supermarkets in several European countries, forcing stores to throw away food.
Schools in Italy, the U.K., and Ireland received hoax bomb threats. Earlier in November, hoax bomb threats forced some passenger flights in Europe to divert or make unscheduled landings. Can you imagine what that would do here? Refrigerators in stores across the U.S. just stopping? Think of the chaos and fear that would sow.
What I like is that countries in Europe are telling people what to do.
Sweden’s preparedness guide recommends keeping enough food and water on hand for at least a week.
The Dutch guide recommends preparing for the first 72 hours. The Swedish booklet also talks about staying calm, avoiding rumors, helping neighbors, and talking to your children about what’s happening. I wish we heard more about this kind of preparedness here.
FEMA has a guide for power outages, and it’s a place to start.
Do you know what to do if we lose electricity in winter? If we have a disruption in water service? I want to build this resilience in our community. I also worry that Trump could use a crisis like this to invoke emergency powers.
Let’s talk about this on Tuesday. If you can’t make it, I can set up a place to gather right after a protest in the next few weeks. Let me know. Feel free to email me anytime at spikeyredhair@gmail.com.
I am not done yet. We are not done yet. We are the protectors.
Judith
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: 1st & 3rd Saturdays from 10-11am at Pedestrian Bridge over Highway 5.
Park at Discovery United Methodist Church. We have permission to park there.
2nd, 4th and 5th Saturday from 10-11am at W 78th and Kerber Boulevard.
Sign library is available.
Norwood Young America
Every Sunday, 11 a.m.–12 p.m. (Line up at the bike path south of Highway 212 and Faxon.)
Victoria
Every Wednesday from 4:30-5:30 pm on the corner of Highway 5 and Victoria Drive/County Rd 11.
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 Golden Kitchen and is located at 207 N Chestnut Street #110 in Chaska. [Map]