We recently talked to a few riders in a Twin Cities motorcycle club — including people named Barbie, Kassie, Bridget, Rachel, Amie, Marni, and Megan. The group is known as Bikers Riding Against Policy Brutality, and was formed to protect protestors after George Floyd was murdered by police in 2020. Today they are still engaged in marshaling at various marches, but also in fundraising and mutual aid efforts.

“In moments of crisis, people appreciate you just asking them how you are doing. As someone who has suffered from PTSD [post-traumatic stress disorder], it is important to have moments of humor, cracking a joke, simply talking to somebody that you knew for years. Just doing those things can really change a person's outlook.”

National leaders for defending democracy gathered at the Minneapolis convention center August 21 to 23, partly to talk about how Minnesotans organized to protect neighbors from federal agents, and partly to prepare for the next onslaught of federal occupation, likely related to the upcoming November elections. A central message: True power comes from cross-sector collaboration between labor, faith communities, nonprofits, and other community leaders.

"I know victims who would much rather not have been victimized in the first place," she said. "When we know there are successful things that can keep kids out of the system and help them not come back, that's really about prevention. And that's the best public safety."