Convergence: National Conversations About Defending Democracy Held in Minnesota

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.

We have several stories coming from the event, but in the meantime, here are a few images and summaries:

Hallie Pond and Shanai Matteson connected with a group to talk about rural organizing. Rural organizing can require individuals to wear many hats, without anonymity in polarized climates. Smaller towns don’t have the same organizational resources of larger Greater Minnesota cities. It can be difficult to develop the skills required to build coalitions across ideological divides, because neighbors with different views cannot simply be left behind in protecting democracy and economic or environmental needs.

Marcia Howard of the Minneapolis Federation of Teachers was one of many speakers who talked about how labor unions have been central to quick mobilization efforts, as were faith-based and cultural-identity groups.

In the ongoing work and evolution of mutual aid networks, neighborhood-level support, and strategies for protecting vulnerable populations during crises, speakers discussed the street-level engagement they do to address concerns about poverty, pollution, and racism. Block-level networks deliver food and supplies directly to one another. Educators can act as bridges between schools and families to build trust, especially regarding immigration services and legal assistance. Protocols are developed to mitigate potential risks from law enforcement or ICE agents at meetings and deliveries.

Questions: How to address the tension between the need for organized data collection — to secure funding and efficiency — and the necessity of maintaining privacy to protect residents from surveillance. Should movements aim for massive scale efforts, or maintain tight control over small, secure local networks? How can funding with mutual aid groups transition from reactive emergency funding to stable financial models without losing their community identity? What methods can secure legal funds for families facing high costs related to immigration proceedings?

Breakout sessions discussed strategies for improving rapid response, legal infrastructure, and economic resilience. For example:

• How can immediate verification processes with trusted individuals — through sight, sound, and video — be enacted alongside protocols to keep people safe? How can neighbors quickly be delivered food and medicine? How can we locate individuals who have been abducted and need legal support? What network can be developed to connect social workers, schools, and childcare providers?
• How can systemic gaps in legal and economic preparedness be addressed in order to move from reactive measures to long-term stability. Can law firms dedicate pro bono hours toward crisis relief and providing training on habeas petitions — since many attorneys do not feel versed in immigration work?
• Can families feel empowered to share their own narratives rather than having others speak for them, which helps draw attention to what is truly happening?
• How can narratives around the large amount of positive economic impact be shared more widely to dispel the myths about immigrants who are “taking”?
• How can civic power be maintained and engaged after immediate crisis, in periods of calm. What legislation and education needs to happen, as well as awareness-building about voting records of local officials, to prevent performative politics?

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