The 2026 midterm election is so critical to the future of our democracy that Indivisible Twin Cities has named it “An Election Like No Other.” The scope of ITC’s mission is, as a result, equally unprecedented in the scale of our mobilization for candidates, and in the breadth of our strategies to protect the integrity of the election.

But to succeed we need you. …

The overarching goals of all these efforts is to boost voter turnout in this fall’s midterm election, and to assure that everyone who wants to vote can vote without interference and intimidation, and with confidence that the results of the election will be honored.

On July 7, Lorenzo Salgado Araujo was shot and killed by ICE agents in Houston, Texas.

Lorenzo was not under investigation. He was not a suspect. He was a dad driving a work van with his crew when he was gunned down. Lorenzo was a worker in America—with a family, with coworkers, with a community—who was killed on his way to a job site by ICE deportation agents who are reckless and out of control. …

Read the full statement and see how you can take action.

. . .

Free Elections & Federal Threats

This past week we saw more proof of how this is an election like no other.

Last Tuesday, the Department of Justice sent intimidating letters to all 50 states threatening top elections leaders with criminal charges if any noncitizens cast ballots. …

Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon was more circumspect, describing the Justice Department letter as an “unfortunate distraction.”

I had the honor of “working the floor” at the state DFL convention in Rochester for Peggy Flanagan who I have known for 20 years. This was not your grandfather’s convention. Due to Peggy’s grassroots organizing, 57% of the delegates were new to the process, 40 delegates were Native American and the energy for change was electric. Peggy was endorsed by acclamation in a raucous, high-spirited demonstration of our collective energy to win in November. Her remarks focused on organizing relentlessly, articulating what we need to build after this election and her commitment to fight the authoritarians with every ounce of her energy when elected. It was unifying and inspiring.

One day earlier another ITC-endorsed candidate, AG Keith Ellison, also brought the house down with his energizing and elegant speech which focused on what we have done together to respond to the authoritarians and what his office has done specifically to take on the Trump.

The Department of Homeland Security intends to re-open the Prairie Correctional Facility in Appleton, MN as an immigrant detention center. The vacant prison, owned by CoreCivic, was closed in 2010 after labor and prisoner complaints.

Indivisible Twin Cities, the Immigrant Defense Network, ACLU of Minnesota and other groups are working to oppose the new facility, which could house 1600 immigrant detainees. The contract was posted last Thursday by the General Services Administration. CoreCivic is a private prison company that runs a dozen detention centers including the processing center in Dilley, TX where 5-year-old Liam Conejo-Ramos was held earlier this year.

It has been one year since the tragic murders of Melissa and Mark Hortman. Few of us will ever forget the morning of June 14, 2025 when the news started trickling in about the attack on Minnesota legislators.

On Saturday we lit candles at dusk for Melissa, Mark and Gilbert. And now we start mobilizing to win in November. If Melissa was here, she would be with us, knocking doors and making phone calls.

 We are calling our program “An Election Like No Other”, which is both the hard truth and the opportunity we have in front of us.

Last week we saw the continuing ripples of ICE's siege.

On Tuesday, while the feds were indicting 15 people inside a Saint Paul courthouse for alleged violent and illegal protest, at the same time outside the building they were violently tear-gassing protesters and throwing them to the ground. And call us skeptical, but THOSE agents will never be held accountable for THAT violence.

We know that during Operation Metro Surge federal agents carried dangerous weapons and didn't hesitate to point them at people's heads.

We're not living in normal times. It seems every day the regime tests a new way to undermine democratic norms. In a recent affront, Trump ordered the Post Office to restrict delivery of mail-in ballots unless states turned over their confidential voter rolls. Of course this would negatively impact blue states, Minnesota included. On Thursday, a federal judge ruled that this effort to control who gets to vote is unconstitutional.

It’s been an intense few months—we’ve all been affected in different ways by Operation Metro Surge; we showed our spirit and community solidarity throughout the winter, including showing up in -20 weather on January 23 for “ICE OUT”; and on March 28 for No Kings at the Capitol, we made a powerful demonstration of people from all backgrounds coming together. And in between, we’ve been organizing rallies, contacting our elected officials about the issues that matter to us, and starting to think about and plan for “what’s next?

This week, we have two events planned that will help energize and inspire us for the months ahead.

ITC All-Member Meeting - Thursday

TC Partners with American Roots Revue at The Dakota - Saturday

We pulled ourselves away from Zoom and actually got together with real people on Thursday night! And it was wonderful.

It had been a long time since we had an in-person meeting, so we decided to make it a good one. A couple hundred dedicated democracy defenders gathered at Hook and Ladder, a “fiercely independent, artist-driven, inclusionary” venue in Minneapolis. 

Indivisible Twin Cities endorses Keith Ellison and Steve Simon

A fundamental pillar that guides Indivisible Twin Cities (ITC) is electing people who understand the stakes our nation faces and are willing to fight for democracy and against authoritarianism.

ITC is making endorsements for the 2026 primaries and general election, selecting candidates who will strengthen our democracy and work to defeat the authoritarian regime, and also have a vision for a future where everyone can thrive.

The Orange Slush Fund!

The $10 Billion Lawsuit That Disappeared —

And the $1.8 Billion Problem That Took Its Place

There was a legal maneuver that happened in a Miami federal court last week that is getting much more attention than Donald Trump would like. Trump dropped his $10 billion lawsuit against the IRS — the one he filed just four months ago, the one he himself admitted “sort of looks bad.” And in its place, something arguably more troubling appeared: a $1.776 billion taxpayer-funded fund with almost no oversight, controlled in key ways by the president himself, available to his political allies and the people who stormed the Capitol on January 6th.

Let’s slow down and walk through exactly what happened, because the details matter.

On April 5, 2025, there were 1,600 events around the country. On March 28, 2026, the day we finally felt that warm March wind, there were 3,200 events and 8 million people.

In the coming weeks, we will start to answer the “What’s next?” question. We may not have all the answers, but we know that we are strong, we are resilient, we are kind, and we lead with love.

Thank you for being there on that warm March Saturday, and for continuing with us in the months to come.

Today marks day 45 of Trump’s war against Iran. Since March 28, when Trump unilaterally attacked Iran and assassinated supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, more than 3,000 Iranians, along with fifteen American military members, have been killed. More than 26,500 Iranians have been injured, as have more than 520 American service members. More than one million people have been displaced. At least 16 countries have been directly involved in the US war against Iran, with many others indirectly affected because of shipping and oil repercussions.

“What a week it’s been” has maybe become an overused phrase. But it fits.

President Trump posting an image of himself as Jesus. Staging a McDonald’s delivery at the White House by a flown-in DoorDash driver under the guise of bragging about taxes on tips. Picking a fight with the Pope. The Secretary of Defense reciting a fictional Bible verse from the movie Pulp Fiction (performed by Samuel L. Jackson). The VP lecturing the Pope on theology. Trump and the Secretary of State attending a wrestling match while the Three Stooges try to negotiate a ceasefire with Iran, but then they go home when it gets hard. … Pope Leo said, “The world is being ravaged by a handful of tyrants,” and we tend to agree. … Do we laugh or cry? … We are living in the upside-down.

This Friday, May Day, Twin Citians can stand up for the rights of workers, immigrants, and all Minnesotans, and continue to stand against ICE.

May 1st is known around the world as International Workers Day. It’s an official holiday in 66 countries, but not in the United States, where May Day began in 1886, when unions in Chicago organized for 8-hour workdays.

Instead of pledging no school, no work, and no shopping as Twin Citians did for the Jan 23rd ICE Out of MN Day of Truth and Freedom, organizers hope Twin Citians will continue to stand up for immigrants and other workers by shopping and eating at local stores and restaurants that endured months of hard times through Metro Surge and beyond.

As we're entering into this transition - from winter to spring, and maybe (perhaps?) seeing the "draw down" of ICE from our communities, artists and poets are the ones who can help us heal and recover. We are so grateful to our volunteer, Jennifer, for gifting us with her poem.

It has become our mantra: to help build a nonviolent, peaceful movement where all who are firmly anti-authoritarian, pro-democracy, and community-loving are welcome. By sustaining this movement, we can topple the authoritarians, rebuild democracy, and create a country where all can thrive. This task requires a big tent—an alignment with people who share our vision and the foresight to look beyond differences to achieve our goals. As the saying goes, “If everyone in your room agrees with you, maybe your room is too small.”

In less than two weeks, thousands of Minnesotans will converge in Saint Paul for No Kings Twin Cities. For this March 28th national flagship event, you can choose among three kickoff marches. Each of the three kickoff locations will feature a short program starting at noon, followed by a march to the Capitol. (Those who prefer not to march can go directly to the Capitol.)
HARRIET ISLAND REGIONAL PARK, 110 Harriet Island Rd., Saint Paul
SAINT PAUL COLLEGE, 235 Marshall Ave., Saint Paul
WESTERN SCULPTURE PARK, 387 Marion St., Saint Paul
MINNESOTA STATE CAPITOL, 75 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd, Saint Paul

No Kings Twin Cities will be live-streamed nationwide and will feature numerous video walls and a robust sound system, allowing participants throughout the 10-acre State Capitol Mall to see and hear the program.

On March 19, the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation announced that it was awarding one of its 2026 Profile in Courage Awards to the “people of the Twin Cities of Minnesota” for their actions during the federal immigration enforcement surge.

As the world watched, we remained non-violent. The authoritarians’ goal was to coerce us to react violently. We never gave them what they wanted, which takes tremendous courage and determination.

The world will be watching us again on Saturday, March 28th. The Twin Cities will be home to the flagship No Kings marches and rallies. There are more than 3,000 No Kings events planned across the country and the world, already making it the largest one-day protest in American history.

NO KINGS ... by the NUMBERS … 200,000 people attended No Kings Twin Cities at the Capitol in Saint Paul on March 28th, the biggest protest in Minnesota history. … Eight million people joined more than 3,300 No Kings 3 events worldwide, at events on every continent. … Nine Minnesota groups and the national No Kings coalition were the lead organizers for No Kings Twin Cities, the national flagship event. … Forty-eight speakers, 17 musicians, and 10 choirs and bands energized and entertained audiences at four different locations, including three kickoff march sites and the main rally at the Capitol. … One historic day that you can revisit on the live-stream here.

Last week’s arrests of two independent journalists and two activists marked the federal government’s latest attempt to erode Constitutional rights in Minnesota. Twin Cities journalist Georgia Fort and national journalist Don Lemon, along with St. Paul activists Trahern Crews and Jamael Lundy, were all arrested Friday, Jan 30th, on federal charges stemming from the Jan. 18th protest at Cities Church in St. Paul, whose pastor, David Easterbook, also serves as ICE’s acting Field Director for St. Paul.

On Wednesday, Feb 11th, Indivisible Twin Cities members will participate in the national ICE Out of MN Action, sitting in at several local Target stores. We are demanding that Target take a firm stand with Minnesotans against ICE attacks and pressure the administration to end the occupation here and nationwide. Why are we targeting Target? It is Minnesota’s leading corporate citizen and the state’s third leading employer, … known as the hometown store, a supporter of schools and nonprofits.

Each March over the past several years, we Minnesotans have turned to one another, shaking our heads and saying, “No winter again this year.” … Then came the unforgiving winter of 2025-26. … Everything about this harsh winter has tested us.

We were tested further by the ICE surge arriving in December, followed by a second surge of Border Patrol, bringing the total number of federal agents in Minnesota to 3,000. These heavily armed, combat-ready troops have roamed our streets, terrorized our neighbors, and acted with a level of violence and unpredictability we have never experienced before in our city.

ICE and ice. Cruelty and cold.

Saturday. March 28th, State Capitol, main rally/program at 2pm

The national organizers of No Kings chose the Twin Cities as the flagship event based on the determined efforts of Minnesota residents during ICE’s Operation Metro Surge, which began in early December 2025 and continues to this day.

The world saw the lawless behavior of thousands of masked, armed ICE and CBP agents against the people of Minnesota, resulting in the deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti. Thousands of people have been kidnapped, detained, sent to concentration camps, and denied due process.

We are saddened by the announcement this morning that Governor Tim Walz has decided to end his campaign for re-election. Under his leadership, Minnesota has implemented so many policies that truly help people all across the state.  

We all now know the name Renee Nicole Good and we are learning who she was as a mother, wife, and poet. A full human settling into a life here in Minneapolis, my city and yours. Even though we didn’t know her, we miss her. And we know that she should still be here with all of us.

Minnesotans know how to handle harsh conditions – sub-zero temps, blizzards, hail storms and endless months of winter. …What we’re enduring now is a different kind of emergency: … Under orders from the White House, thousands of armed and often masked federal agents swarmed into Minnesota, creating a blizzard of chaos, violence and fear. … But Minnesotans don’t give up easily. We’ve learned to come together to get through hard times.

I left the downtown Minneapolis March on Friday convinced that we were making tremendous progress toward ending the violent occupation of our state and our cities. I am not sure I’ve ever been more proud to be a Minnesotan. here

Online chats organized by city or neighborhood groups share up-to-the-minute details of where ICE is and what location they are targeting. Neighbors are organizing to protect others as they go to and from school, church or grocery shopping. Others are holding vigil outside of mosques during prayer services. Others are collecting food and donations and then delivering the food boxes to those who are too afraid to leave their homes.

Art and artists have always been at the center of political and civil rights movements. We learned the story of Marian Anderson in 1939 singing “America the Beautiful” on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial after having been barred from singing to an integrated audience by the Daughters of the American Revolution. Bruce Springsteen and Pete Seeger singing This Land is Your Land at Obama’s inauguration, in a moment of hopefulness that seemed to bring us all together, finally. And more recently, our own friend Larry Long, who sang “I Don’t Believe in Violence” at No Kings on June 14th, just hours after we learned of the murder of Melissa and Mark Hortmann in an act of horrific political violence which we will never forget. 

Rather than a typical year-end wrap up, we invited our dedicated volunteers, team leads and steering committee members to share how 2025 has impacted them. This included thoughts on specific events or how they felt earlier in the year versus how they feel now.  And what they have learned about themselves, our country and our community.