Stronger Together: Solidarity with Minneapolis Educators

Since the new year, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, immigration enforcement has escalated to the point that officers came onto school grounds using chemical agents with students and educators outside during dismissal time, causing chaos and forcing schools to pivot to virtual learning for students who are now fearful to come to school. The pressures on the school community continue as educators, parents, and students—even a student as young as 5—have been or are now being detained over the last few weeks.

This is why local leaders there, including Minneapolis Federation of Educators (MFE) Local 59 presidents Marcia Howard and Catina Taylor, have called on educators and the community at-large to participate in a state-wide General Strike in Minnesota tomorrow Friday, January 23. They have also asked their allies across the country to participate in an action in solidarity with them.

Give to Minneapolis Mutual Aid rent relief programs for school families

Give to support the training of volunteers who are providing a proactive presence for their school communities

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Here are TWO WAYS you can take action:

DON’T SHOP on Friday, January 23. By collectively withholding our money, especially from national corporations that track their revenue closely, we can make a strong nationwide statement against these attacks on school communities.
AS YOU ARE ABLE, DONATE to support the Minneapolis school community directly. Here are two ways you can help: Give to Minneapolis Mutual Aid rent relief programs for school families, or give to support the training of volunteers who are providing a proactive presence for their school communities.

These two actions may feel not as impactful as if we called for a general strike here as well; however, in every social movement throughout history, actions start small and help to build the trust, courage, and solidarity that are needed to gain momentum for bigger, bolder actions over time. Instead of adding our money into the pockets of billionaires or into corporations collaborating with ICE, working families can instead join together to create a stronger, more vibrant, and inclusive America together.

To be effective, the actions you take need to be public. We are working to gain nationwide support to push back on the attacks on our students, their families, and our fellow educators and union members. This is why we also ask you to WEAR BLUE to show solidarity and to click here to download a graphic to share on your social media RIGHT NOW to show your solidarity with Minneapolis educators. This is how your individual action helps to build the momentum for a nationwide movement that brings together not only our fellow educators but our community allies as well.

Stronger Together: Solidarity with Minneapolis Educators

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