Minnesota is once again facing a dark moment. Our communities grieve the loss of life of Renee Nicole Good who was killed by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent on January 7 in south Minneapolis. By all accounts, she was a loving mother, wife, poet, and a strong advocate for her community. Minnesota Council of Nonprofits (MCN) joins state and city officials and community leaders in denouncing this unnecessary violence.
Amidst this tragedy yesterday in south Minneapolis, our state is also undergoing what the federal department of Homeland Security has called the “largest scale immigration operation ever,” an onslaught that is blatantly instigating and escalating harm, is endangering our friends and neighbors, breaking up families, and traumatizing children.
This increased enforcement is specifically targeting and scapegoating Minnesota’s Somali and East African communities, who are our valued friends and neighbors. There is no justification for acts of violence, which terrify the community and violate our protected rights to observe and protest.
For our friends and allies seeking tangible ways to help, here are some action items.
- Minnesota Immigrant Rights Action Committee (MIRAC) held a vigil at the site of the shooting during the evening of January 7, with attendance reported to be in the thousands. MIRAC and other local nonprofits offer resources, organize events, and educate on how to peacefully exercise our rights to organize, advocate, and protest. Join and support them as you are able.
- Businesses are struggling in immigrant communities. If you are a person of privilege who has less to lose frequenting targeted neighborhoods and communities, please physically support Somali-, East African-, people of color-, and immigrant-owned businesses. Alight has created a useful list of Immigrant and Refugee Businesses in the Twin Cities.
- Your local nonprofit and community-based media are key sources of accurate information. Minnesota has a robust nonprofit media environment, including MinnPost, Minnesota Public Radio, Sahan Journal, BLCK Press, and others. Perspectives by and for targeted communities such as immigrants and people of color are critical, and we encourage you to follow and support them. Meet Minneapolis has a helpful list of BIPOC/Multicultural Minneapolis Region Media Directory.
- Direct your generosity to local nonprofit organizations that are working tirelessly on behalf of Minnesotans who are impacted, including Immigrant Rapid Respond Fund, COPAL MN, Immigrant Defense Network, African Economic Development Solutions, Minnesota Immigrant Rights Action Committee, Unidos MN, and many others. Check out MCN’s BIPOC Nonprofit Index for more.
As we collectively hold grief for the life that was lost on Wednesday, for the lives already lost in this fight, and for the people so profoundly impacted, let’s also recognize the strength, resiliency, and resolve of Minnesotans. Our love for our state and for each other is evidenced by the good community-based work of our nonprofits. Thank you for all that you do today, and every day.