We know that the increased ICE presence in our city has created an atmosphere of fear and uncertainty for many in our community. To resist fear, to find our courage, we must act and we must act in community. This list, compiled with information from The Sheltering Arms Foundation and the Episcopal Church in Minnesota, is intended to provide practical resources, guidance, and actionable steps that you can take today to stand up for our neighbors.
Save the Date: Day of Prayer and Fasting on Friday, January 23
Local community organizing group ISAIAH is calling upon Minnesotans of faith to join in a Day of Prayer and Fasting for Truth and Freedom. They encourage people to refrain from shopping or going to work or school on Friday, and instead gather and stand against the occupation of our state by federal immigration agents. St. John’s Justice Team is currently evaluating the options for actions our community can be involved in that day, and will be sending more information via email in the next few days. Watch for that update!
Attend an Immigrants Rights or Constitutional Observer training. These fill up quickly so you’ll want to pick one or two organizations below and sign up for notifications and news. These will include notices about upcoming trainings as well as vigils and protests. I understand that these types of actions are risky and not for everyone, so you’ll need to choose what feels doable and comfortable for you.
- MONARCA Rapid Response Line
- Immigrant Defense Network
- January 18th (1:30-2:30PM) League of Women’s Voters Saint Paul – online training
Defend the 612: Defend the 612 is an attempt to help community members within geographies get connected to one another — to support and connect people into the neighborhood formations that are responding to this violent and immoral onslaught. Specifically, they intend to connect people with existing groups or formations nearby that are actively seeking additional support & resourcing, and provide them with the resources to get started in areas where there are gaps. defend612.com/
Neighborhood level: If you are Twin Cities-based (but really, relevant everywhere), talk to your neighbors and see if there’s already a Signal chat on your block that you can get plugged into. A lot of organizing is happening on hyper-local levels.
The Hummingbird Network: A community-led rapid response initiative designed to protect, support, and empower immigrant and BIPOC families on Saint Paul’s West Side. The network mobilizes neighbors to respond swiftly to immigration enforcement, community crises, and acts of injustice. wsco.org/the_hummingbird_network
MIRAC (Minnesota Immigrant Rights Action Committee): a grassroots immigrant rights organization that fights for legalization for all, an end to deportations and anti-immigrant laws, and full equality for immigrant communities through organizing, education, and advocacy. miracmn.com
Conversations with Friends MN visits those who are in detention centers, writes letters to them, and offers modest commissary account deposits so they can call loved ones or purchase food/hygiene items, and drops off “dignity” backpacks at the Whipple Federal Building: conversationswithfriendsmn.org
Neighborhood House has supported immigrants and refugees on St. Paul’s West Side for over 128 years. They are currently delivering food to families who are unable to safely leave their homes to purchase groceries and other essentials. neighborhoodhousemn.org/
Pray: As people of faith, we ground ourselves in the promises of God. We invite you to pray for our immigrant neighbors, families, and communities experiencing fear, disruption, and instability using prayers from the joint vigil held with ECMN and the Episcopal Church. You can find them by clicking here.
Join the ECMN Migration Caucus: meeting on the second Monday of each month at 7pm via Zoom. Opportunities for prayer, resource sharing, organizing, and calls to action around migrant support, accompaniment, and advocacy. To receive the meeting Zoom link, please contact Deacon Rex McKee at [email protected].
Resources from ECMN Migration Caucus leaders:
- Minnesota Immigrant Aid Tool Kit
- The Advocates for Human Rights Attorney and Agency Referral List
- Know Your Rights Information
- Guide for Visiting Immigrants in Minnesota Detention Centers
For donations, Immigrant Rapid Response Fund: https://www.wfmn.org/funds/immigrant-rapid-response/
- Mobilizing and organizing communities to support and protect immigrants
- Providing food, housing, and other essential emergency support in response to attacks
- Delivering legal services that defend rights and ensure due process
