As did the world, the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits (MCN) watched with concern and anguish at yesterday’s violent siege of the U.S. Capitol, a long-standing symbol of this nation’s democratic ideals. We join countless voices across our state and nation in firmly denouncing any and all acts that threaten the core tenets of democracy, including the peaceful transition of power resulting from free and open elections.
Another vital pillar on which our country was founded exists in the First Amendment right to peaceful assembly to petition government. But what occurred in Washington D.C. yesterday looked, sounded, and felt different, because it was. The acts of aggression flooding the U.S. Capitol and washing across our screens were antithetical to the imperative need to overcome the growing divide, acts of violence, and existing disparities facing our country.
The response by law enforcement to Wednesday’s insurrection stands in stark contrast to many of the experiences of Black communities, Indigenous communities, and communities of color attempting to seek justice. Yesterday was another reminder of how white supremacy is interwoven into our political and social systems, but we stand firm in our commitment that white supremacy should have no place in our democracy.
Nonprofit organizations have a stake in shaping this pivotal moment, as we use freedoms afforded in our democracy every day in pursuit of a healthy, cooperative, and just society. We play a critical role in promoting active community participation, lifting up voices not often heard, and dismantling systemic racism wherever it is found. As builders of community, nonprofits will continue to reimagine a future where we can all thrive together. It is the linchpin of why we exist, our reason for being.
As we fight for our democratic principles, we fight just as valiantly for the rights of each of our neighbors to freely and safely pursue their dreams and voice in America. MCN will continue to engage in this difficult, necessary work with everyone that recognizes the benefits and responsibilities of a democracy.
MCN would like to take this moment to recognize the following nonprofits, each of whom received grants to better engage their communities and nurture participation in our democracy in 2020.
Election Engagement Grantees
Center for Hmong Arts and Talent
Council on American-Islam Relations Minnesota (CAIR Minnesota)
Deaf Equity
Hispanic Outreach of Goodhue County
Intercultural Mutual Assistance Association
Pillsbury United Communities
Census Grantees
Aeon
Alliance of Chicanos Hispanics and Latin Americans
Arrowhead Area Agency on Aging
Arrowhead Economic Opportunity Agency
Asamblea de Derechos Civiles
Campus Compact
Centro Tyrone Guzman
Community Action of Ramsey and Washington Counties
CAIR Minnesota
Cultural Diversity Resources
Deaf Equity
GHANDS, Inc.
Hallie Q. Brown
Hispanic Outreach of Goodhue County
Hmong Museum
Intercultural Mutual Assistance Assoc.
Interfaith Outreach & Community Partners
Jordan Area Community Council
Korean Adoptee Ministries
KSMQ
Lao Assistance Center of Minnesota
Little Earth Residents Association
Living at Home Network
Marshall Area YMCA
Northside Economic Opportunity Network
Organization of Liberians – Minnesota
Our Savior’s Community Services English Learning Center
Pelican Rapids Multicultural Committee
Pillsbury United Communities
Planned Parenthood Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota
Prairie Five Community Action Council
Project for Pride and Living
Promise Neighborhood of Central Minnesota
Rise, Inc
Senior Services Consortium of Ramsey County
SEWA-AIFW, Inc
Somali Community Resettlement Services
Southeast Asian Diaspora Project
Vietnamese Social Services of Minnesota
Women for Political Change
Wright County Community Action