Our Favorite Books & Movies
Popular culture in books and movies that focus on immigrants and refugees can be stereotypical in nature. So when seeking out entertainment that includes these themes be sure to look for immigrant or refugee voices in authors, actors or viewpoints. Seek out authenticity and stay away from stereotypes, finding pieces that focus on the complexity of migration and a breadth of human experiences is a good place to start. When you're reading or watching books or movies with others be sure to point out any stereotypes that you see in order to bring more awareness to your family, friends and the community at large. Now It’s Your Turn. Share Your Favorites!
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Our features, ways to give & current events
We are a group of women of different ages, ethnic and racial backgrounds who share a passion for advocating for immigrant and refugee justice. We meet about once a month over dinner at restaurants owned by immigrants or refugees. We support other organizations that are working for immigrant and refugee rights by utilizing the resources of the Women’s March MN. We use our own social media accounts to promote other organizations’ events and causes, We show up for their events. For example, we supported the No Human Being is Illegal march organized by the Immigrant Movement for Justice and May 1st Coalition by helping with the organization, contacting other groups, providing marshals and by marching. Members of our group contribute in many ways and we welcome any skills and time that you can share.
You can attend a rally or a forum, use social media to promote events, make phone calls to legislators, or find ways to educate others about issues related to immigrants and refugees. People are free to select the actions that fit their schedule, and talents.
Featured Editorial
When is the last time you used your driver’s license as an ID? For me, it was when I forgot my library card but wanted to check out the books that I had reserved. For you, perhaps it was when you checked in for a medical appointment, entered your child’s school or ordered a drink in a restaurant.
Approximately 82,000 residents of Minnesota are eligible for a driver’s license or state ID, but cannot get one because they are undocumented immigrants. Many have been living here for decades and were able to obtain a driver’s license until Governor Pawlenty changed the law in 2003. Imagine having your driving privileges and access to an ID stripped away. For undocumented immigrants, having access to a Driver’s License or State ID is both a matter of convenience and access and dignity to move around the state.
The last time I did any phone banking was in 1989 and I was a paid telemarketer for Rudy Boschwitz. I hated every minute of calling people during dinner and asking them to fund a campaign during a non-election year. Times change!
WOMEN'S MARCH MINNESOTA ANNOUNCES POWER TO THE POLLS
9/14/18: St. Paul, MN ---- Power to the Polls: Over the past two years we’ve resisted, persisted and created change, and now it’s time to bring our collective Power to The Polls.
On Sep 21st, early voting opens in Minnesota. At that point, it is 45 days until the general election on November 6th.
Now is the time to take action to ensure that we protect our rights and once again live in a country we are proud of. If not now - when? This is why we marched. In addition to the requests to participate, we will be sending out motivational videos and educational pieces about the election process called “Election Central”.
Two years ago, Jamar Clark and Philando Castile were killed by police. Justine Damond was killed last year. Thurman Blevins, Jr. was killed just last month. This is unacceptable. These were human beings. Our neighbors.
The pressure for and against quickly confirming Judge Brett Kavanaugh for the vacant U.S. Supreme Court is ramping up in the U.S. Senate.
Now is the time for citizens to contact senators, supporting careful consideration rather than haste on this nomination.
In the coming days, Women’s March Minnesota will send an open letter to Senator Amy Klobuchar and Senator Tina Smith on behalf of the 110,000 Minnesotans who marched January 21st 2017, urging our Senators to vote NO on any nominee who does not believe the United States Constitution incorporates a right to privacy and will not commit to publicly stating that Roe v. Wade is settled law.
After the illegal detention of children and the immoral tearing apart of families, Women’s March National planned and executed the largest Civil Disobedient group of women ever recorded in our nation's history to rally and hold accountable those in office that are allowing these vicious, racist and outright terrifying things to happen.
Featured Call To Action
This is the year to turn back the clock. Before Governor Pawlenty changed the rule in 2003, Minnesota residents didn’t need to be US citizens in order to obtain a driver’s license.
Women’s March MN and the Freedom To Drive MN Coalition wants to return the privilege of a driver’s license to eligible Minnesotans. The bill is moving quickly as it is important to Minnesotans, such as members of law enforcement, business owners and leaders of faith communities. Each hearing has been packed with supporters.
HF1500 is one of Women’s March Minnesota’s 2019 legislative priorities. This bill is about improving public safety, bolstering economic development, and building stronger families and communities for EVERYONE
Did you know that approximately 82,000 residents of Minnesota are eligible for a driver’s license or state ID, but cannot get one because they are undocumented immigrants. Many have been living here for decades and were able to obtain a driver’s license, until Governor Pawlenty changed the law in 2003. Imagine having your driving privileges and access to an ID stripped away. For undocumented immigrants, having access to a Driver’s License or State ID is both a matter of convenience, access and dignity to move around the state.
There are currently 2,324 mostly Central American boys and girls (13-17 years old) living in canvas tents at Tornillo detention center (LA Times) for migrant teens. More than 1,300 teens have arrived here since the end of October alone. None of the 2,100 staff who work at this Texan tent city have not been properly vetted. Anything could be happening to these teens, in the US in 2018, on our watch. What’s more, the cost of running this detention center is 50% higher than originally estimated and it is thought it will cost the US taxpayer a total of $430 million.
While the inhumane treatment of people seeking asylum at the southern border continues and the President claims the tear gas used on Sunday was "very safe," blames migrants with children for putting them in harm’s way and questions whether the children were theirs at all, there is a growing list of ways you can help.
Did you submit your public comment on DHS's proposed redefinition of "public charge" yet?
This new regulation will make it harder for immigrants living in the US to qualify for permanent US residency if they have received public benefits such as food aid, public housing or Medicaid. It will also make it harder for foreigners to immigrate to the US if they are predicted to need to use these benefits.
Apply to be an Election Judge!
Our Constitution demands that every citizen have an equal voice and vote in determining the future of our families, communities, and country. EVERY citizen.
Election judges are the backbone of our democracy. Do you or someone you know speak Spanish, Somali, Arabic, Hmong or any other language? This is an opportunity to make a BIG difference. Unfortunately, some Minnesota citizens with English as a second language, and needing a little help at the polls on election day, frequently leave their polling place because no one is able to assist them.
Some Minnesota citizens have not had a positive experience with government and are very intimidated by the process. Having someone at the polling place they may recognize from their community makes it less daunting.
We need your help in recruiting people to apply as election judges; especially if they are bilingual! Email me and we will get you, or those you send our way, set up: abelladonna@commoncause.org
12,800 migrant children were detained this month in federal custody – yes, 12,800! That’s up from 2,400 in May last year! And the WH just announced that they plan to triple the size of the "Tent City" in Tornillo to house even more - a total of around 3,800 children! This is all so shameful and wrong!
Just 55 days to the elections! Want to find out what the candidates running in your district stand for? Even better - want to ask the candidates a question so they will have to go public on issues that are important to you?
Hosted by MN-Immigrant Movement-MIM (@MN-Immigrant Movement-MIM) and La Voz Del Pueblo MN (http://kfai.org/lavozdelpueblo) and MIRAC - Minnesota Immigrant Rights Action Committee (https://mirac1.wordpress.com/)
This is the moment! Join us for a meeting this Saturday, August 25th at 10 AM about Municipal ID in the City of Minneapolis. For those who need an ID, for those who do not have ID, and for those who want to stand in solidarity with impacted communities.
The latest developments in the Mueller investigation only strengthen the argument that the US Senate should NOT proceed with considering Brett Kavanaugh’s nomination for SCOTUS.
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Women's March MN is a non-profit organization. 100% of your donation will be used to help fund activities and events sponsored by Women's March MN. Donate today!