Friends and Relatives,
Today our siblings in Minneapolis called forth the power of Love in the face of hatred and violence. Like the Spirit-Breath-Wind that moved over the waters and that sent life into humanity in the Creation accounts of Genesis, hundreds of people sent forth life and love and the gift of their divine breath into the neighborhoods being assaulted and occupied by armed agents of Empire as white supremist civilian co-conspirators marched to incite more violence.
In coordination with and accountable to the local Somali community and its leaders, our relatives went forth boldly today singing. Yes, SINGING.
You will hear from so many about groups of violent protestors or angry agitators in the streets, but the truth of local resistance is closer to a choir of angles!
Taking this posture of loving kindness, meeting death with songs of life, these singers chose to, in their words:
“…embody and represent that which we are fighting for, a beloved community of strong ties where all are loved and cared for.”
What strikes and even convicts me in their actions is the wonderful POWER they deploy. Singing reaches into the core of creation within us all and acts at a biological level, reducing cortisol, lowering stress, de-escalating in ways no sign or slogan or spoken word could. For EVERYONE. The singers and their songs demand an end to harassment, violence, occupation, and murder as it offers love, care, hope, and the invitation to community for all who hear.
These singing siblings of ours are just one example of the hyper-local care for neighbor and resistance to evil being offered by the people of Minnesota. And for the resistance to continue…
They need our help.
Empire is employing the weapons of tyranny to worsen an already unjust economic system. The most vulnerable of our neighbors have already been forced to the margins of financial existence, denied access to fundamental human rights of food, shelter, and medical care, and exploited into low wages, unsafe working conditions, and living paycheck-to-paycheck. And when our siblings suffer, we all suffer. Empire would incite foreclosure and economic collapse to punish any who stand in opposition. It would destroy the city of Minneapolis to frighten us all into submission when ICE comes to our towns. And they will come.
Working with our organizers on the ground in Minneapolis, we have already collected $1,000 for rent-relief and eviction prevention for the families of those the government has disappeared.
Will you help us help more people afraid to leave their homes, unable to work, and facing the impossible choice to risk either sudden eviction or violent detention?
Donate here: dismantlediscovery.org/donate (mark your donation with “Minneapolis” when you fill out the payment information).
And please, join our online gathering this Sunday, Jan 18th, at 5:30pm CT, when we will pray, sing, and share about what’s happening on the ground, hear calls to action to from impacted communities, and to begin organize all of our own hyper-local community networks to resist. Register HERE
