U.S. Congresswomen, Haven Watch representatives, and other local advocates spoke at a Friday news conference about conditions that remain at the Whipple federal building, and the impact and needs of Minnesota families dealing with detention and deportation.

Many objections center on the possibility that people living in congregate settings, such as group homes, can receive much higher budgets than those living on their own or with family members. This raises worries about forced institutionalization. ... “From my perspective, the system is not functioning in a way that supports independence or dignity. Instead, it creates exhaustion, confusion, and barriers to care for people who are already living with significant disabilities and health challenges.”

Although we often hear people say that “women can’t win” in conservative rural areas, strong women have always led the way here. They rally neighbors when someone needs assistance. They activate the phone tree when there’s a threat to safety. They have eyes on everybody’s children. They strategize to fill the gaps left by a government that overlooks rural community concerns.

“The City of Minneapolis and the Minneapolis Police Department remain far from achieving the transformational change necessary to address the root causes of race-based policing” — the Minnesota Department of Human Rights