Late last Friday an organizing collective in Minneapolis put out a call for clergy to come to Minnesota. On Monday we both attended an information session that was geared for clergy to help us understand the level of risk, the preparation we should do to be ready, and the commitment of time and presence they were asking for. After the session, we decided we would register to go, bought plane tickets, and accepted a very generous offer of housing and local transportation. Then on Tuesday morning we learned that the response had been so overwhelming, that their email program had shut down, and that they weren’t able to process all the registrations that had come in fast enough. We were not confirmed, but rather, on “a call list.”
While the uncertainty was a little unnerving, we also know that in justice work, we need to follow the lead of those most impacted rather than assert our own needs. And so, we waited. If there was space for us, we would go there, centering love, carrying all the courage that we can find along with us, showing up in solidarity and in faith. And, if organizers decide they can’t accommodate so many people, then we take our turn for the revolution in a different way.
As of 4pm, we still had not heard. We asked Lillian to pause sending Circuits until this morning so we could share what needed to be shared with all of you. As of 6pm, we made the complicated decision to release our spots so others could hopefully say yes. While we are a little disappointed, we also trust that things are unfolding as they are supposed to. What is happening there is evil unleashed and unfettered. The people have whistles, snowballs, and songs. They are facing an armed and uncontrolled terror-inducing force. And Maine might be next.
Dr. King reminded us in his Letter from Birmingham Jail, “…I am cognizant of the interrelatedness of all communities and states. I cannot sit idly by in Atlanta and not be concerned about what happens in Birmingham. Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly. Never again can we afford to live with the narrow, provincial “outside agitator” idea. Anyone who lives inside the United States can never be considered an outsider anywhere within its bounds.”
As of 9:30pm, we received an email saying the organizers have reached capacity, thanking everyone who registered and to join in solidarity in other ways. Then they shared some resources for what folks can do wherever they are. Here’s one of them:
Take action from wherever you are by visiting the ICE Out of Minnesota website, which includes guidance and actions for people nationwide:
ICE OUT MN // Solidarity Actions Partner (Orgs) Toolkit
With Love at the Center,
Rev. Wendy and Rev. Lynn