More than a safety pin

Four thousand people gathered in Minneapolis on November 9 to protest against Trump’s election. Photo by Fibonacci Blue, used under Creative Commons license. 

Yeah, I get it. Wearing a safety pin is a quick-and-easy way to show that you support all the people getting slammed by the rising tide of racism, sexism, homophobia, xenophobia, etc. When I grew up, safety pins were a very temporary and unsatisfactory fix when something badly needed mending. Right now, the whole fabric of our community and nation badly needs repair. So here are some things you can do, right now this week in Minnesota, that go beyond the safety pin:

1) Tomorrow, Tuesday, November 15. Go to Mears Park in downtown St. Paul to Stand With Standing Rock in opposition to the Dakota Access Pipeline. The demonstration, part of a national day of action, starts at noon. Bring your banners, homemade cardboard signs, art, or just yourself. Post on social media that you’re going and invite your friends to join you.

2) Want to stay indoors? Then check out the St. Paul Community Conversation for Peace at St. Paul College, 228 Marshall Avenue – also tomorrow, Tuesday, November 15 at 6 p.m. Share stories in a moderated conversation.

3) Candlelight vigil for Jamar Clark – one year after his death, Tuesday, November 15 from 5-7 p.m. at James and Plymouth Avenue in Minneapolis. (Can’t make it at this time? Other commemorative events on Friday and Saturday.)

4) Every Wednesday – peace vigil at the Lake Street Bridge, 4:30-5:30. Just show up.

5) Your Silence is Lethal – Our Movement is Loud: a social justice theater showcase, with music, spoken word and dance. Thursday, November 17 and Friday, November 18 at 7 p.m. at South High School in Minneapolis.

6) Culture, Community and Restoration – A Healing Justice Approach to Transformational Relationships on Saturday, November 19, 1-3:30 at the People’s Movement Center, 763 E. 41st Street, Minneapolis – also a fundraiser for Standing Rock, so bring a donation.

7) Golden’s Lowertown will be having a #NoDAPL fundraiser on Saturday Nov 19, 5-7 p.m.They’ll be going down to North Dakota in vans afterwards, taking donations and donated items. Speakers from the native community and National Lawyers Guild, videos from the #NoDAPL frontlines, silent auction. Music will take over from 7pm til close, including Native American rapper Sake Red, and Pocket of Resistance.

8) Showing Up for Racial Justice (SURJ) general meeting at First Universalist Church, 3400 Dupont Avenue S., Minneapolis on Sunday, November 19, 2:30-5 p.m.

There’s more. (There’s always more.) Standing together, somewhere, some time, is a start.