By Michael Woyton
The east coast and much of the rest of the country is cleaning up from a historic winter storm — no, I will not call it by the name created by a private for-profit weather service.
While some wait for the power to back on, the plowing service to show up or even just try to find something for the kids to do since schools are closed, it would be proper and good to give thought to what our fellow citizens in Minnesota are going through.
I got in touch Sunday with a long-time friend who happens to live just a mile from the site of the horrific murder of Alex Pretti Saturday.
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For him and his family it’s been a tough few weeks and, in spite of the massive turnout Friday of thousands of Minnesotans protesting to get ICE out, the stress is mounting.
He said they go to protests, but they are well aware that as of now “If you obey the law, you don’t get shot” is no longer a certainty.
It’s important to remember that what is going on in Minnesota is pretty damn impressive.
People are turning out in massive numbers in subzero temperatures to protest and observe. People are helping other people.
I was watching the amazing news coverage from Minneapolis by KARE-11 Saturday and heard one of their reporters who had a chemical irritant sprayed in her face by an ICE or Border Patrol agent — only because she wasn’t backing up fast enough as they tried to move the press.
She said she was attended to by a couple of other people who flushed her eyes and took her to one of their apartments so she could recover in safety.
Once the reporter was settled in, her good Samaritans said they needed to get back on the street so they could help others in need.
They left the reporter in their apartment to go back into the fray.
Neighbors helping neighbors. That’s Minnesota. That’s what America should be.
I had heard that donations of goods and services were welcome by various organizations, so I asked my friend to recommend one or two.
He said standwithminnesota had a bunch from which to choose.
The site has a directory of places to donate that have been vetted that come from activists on the ground.
The organizations include those providing legal support, food support and rent relief and where to buy or donate materials, to name a few.
For example, the diaper and formula fund provides critical supplies for families who should not have to fear being brutalized or separated from their children for simply trying to access food, formula or diapers for their toddlers.
There is even a way to buy or contribute to buying dashcams for observers’ cars, since video is vital to standing up to this administration.
Take a look at Stand with Minnesota and consider helping in some way.
Minnesota is a model for the rest of us.
Because sooner or later if the felonious president and his sycophants are not stopped, they will come after the rest of us.
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Cartoon by Mike Smith of the Las Vegas Sun.
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Lead art from the internet.
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