Congratulations!

Twin Cities residents have been honored with the John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award.

Congratulations to you all for earning the John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award^®!

I know it’s an honor none of you sought out nor would have traded the price our state paid for it but regardless, it is well-deserved.

The John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum states that:

The people of the Twin Cities of Minnesota will be honored with a John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award^® for risking their lives to protect their neighbors and immigrant community members from an unprecedented federal law enforcement operation, peacefully defending the human rights and values that serve as the foundation of our Constitutional democracy.

And:

The people of the Twin Cities responded with extraordinary courage and resolve. Tens of thousands took to the streets to peacefully protest federal overreach and threats to immigrant families and constitutional protections, while others documented enforcement activity and alerted neighbors to federal agents’ presence. Faith leaders organized demonstrations, community groups built rapid-response networks, labor leaders and small business defended workers, and volunteers provided critical support and resources. Across religious, racial, and political lines, a broad coalition of residents of the Twin Cities and surrounding suburbs united in peaceful resistance despite violent confrontation and real personal risk, defending their neighbors’ rights and strengthening the national movement to protect American democracy.

That is you. That is your efforts and your work that is being recognized.

Let’s take a moment to appreciate how these weekly rallies have contributed to the defense of our democratic way of life.

A Beacon of Hope

The fact that hundreds of citizens take an hour out of their lives every week to make their voices heard, publicly, gives comfort to people who feel the same as we do that they are not alone.

The fact that our numbers keep growing give people hope that change is possible.

Perhaps most importantly, our presence week-in and week-out gives comfort and hope to the most vulnerable of our neighbors who have been cruelly targeted that they are not alone and that we have their back.

Public Demonstration Of Demands For Change

The weekly presence and the signs you all hold up are quite literally petitioning your government to redress your grievances.

These public demonstrations put elected officials on notice and give political cover to those who would take up our cause. Courage is contagious.

Strengthening Community

The connections, coalitions and friendships that are made during our weekly gatherings lead to greater community strength and resiliance. The groups that formed as a result of our weekly rallies had very tangible effects.

Food Drives

The donations of food and essentials you all so generously contributed helped sustain our neighbors too terrified to leave home during the ICE invasion.

Rapid Response Networks

Many of you took to the streets to monitor ICE activity in our community, patrol neighborhoods, ensure kids got to school and back, and watched guard over houses of worship so people could express their faith without fear.

ICE Contract Defeated

And a group of you organized to pressure the Carver County Board of Commissioners and Sheriff Kamerud to abandon pursuit of a contract to rent our jail cells to ICE.

These efforts built real organizational, communication and political skill. These connections, relationships, and friendships will persist and serve other purposes and political challenges yet unknown.

While we have no illusions that there is much more work to be done, do take a moment to pat yourself on the back and acknowledge the good work you have done.

And don’t let anyone tell you that protests are just “noise,” least of all a politician.

David

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.