Tuesday, January 27, 2026
How Can I Help?
Over the past few weeks, many people from outside of Minnesota have asked me how they can help. Below is my list of opportunities, which goes beyond “call your Senator” (though that can be important).
Truth-Telling
Much of what ICE is doing in Minnesota rests on a bed of falsehoods that are being endlessly repeated by Trump-affiliated politicians. Other than Trump and a few high-level cabinet members, they rarely get called on it. So, if your member of Congress or state legislator is saying that ICE is focused on the “worst of the worst,” or that Alex Pretti was a “paid agitator,” post on social media and elsewhere the evidence that this is not true. Start a web site cataloguing those lies by a particular individual. Go to their social media feeds and correct the falsehoods one by one and link to sources. They are living in a bubble of misinformation. Let’s burst it.
Donating
Yes, there are a lot of good organizations doing great work here. Many of them are catalogued at https://www.standwithminnesota.com/
A knowledgeable observer particularly recommends Manarca (https://monarcamn.org/) and MIRAC (https://www.miracmn.com/)
Encouraging
There are some real heroes here. If you read about someone doing something good, find their email or socials and give them encouragement. You would not believe how much that has meant to me and others—to hear from people outside of this mess that we are seen. I realize that many people on the internet read a lot but don’t interact. Usually that’s fine, but if you really care, give someone a shot of love (especially if you don’t know them).
Visiting
Many people have asked if they should come here to help, and I’m urging caution. After the murder of George Floyd, people from other states came here for looting and violence (it worked), and that has made some people very wary of outsiders. However, if you are going to work on a specific project or join in a big public daytime march, you will probably be welcome. Wear mittens. Also a hat. And long underwear.
Tipping
Finally, wherever you are there are scared immigrants, documented and not, who are working for you in places you do not see—in kitchens making your food, or cleaning your hotel room. They aren’t murdering and raping. They are making your life better. Be generous.
Please, please, please—this is not an exhaustive list! Put your own ideas in the comments. Stay safe. Be brave.
