Protesting Details at the Appleton Prison
Excerpted from Pam Costain’s August 20 newsletter “Acting in an Emergency”
Corruption
CoreCivic, a corporation that runs private prison facilities, is a major supporter of Trump. They once owned and operated the Appleton 1,600-bed private prison before it was closed down in 2010 due to numerous violations.
This year Core Civic sold the facility to the U.S. government for nearly $500,000, even though it was listed on the tax roles as worth $14 million. Having sold the property, they then turned around and received a contract from the U.S. government to run a new immigration “concentration camp” on the site. The contract is worth over $500 million — $107 million a year for 5 years.
With these transactions, Core Civic will earn a billion dollars from the sale and subsequent contract, while we pay the bill. Not a bad scam if you can get it, likely the biggest fraud this state has ever seen.
Cruelty
Core Civic owns the Dilley Detention facility in Texas, the same facility where Liam Conejos Ramos and his father were held. More than 3500 people have cycled through the facility in 2026, and more than half of them are minors. We have all heard the stories of terrible and insufficient food, extremely poor and unsanitary health conditions, extreme over-crowding and lack of basic necessities. Children do not have toys, access to educational programs or sufficient stimulation for brain development and growth. Adults do not have access to legal representation or their families.
Minnesota passed legislation in 2023 prohibiting for-profit state prisons, but we apparently have no jurisdiction over federal facilities.
Action
In the meantime local activists are seeking support from people around the state to call attention to this corruption, the cruelty, and to what is being done with our money and in our name. People are encouraged to travel to Appleton (150 miles from Twin Cities) to join their weekly protest every Thursday from 5-6:30pm. And while this is very late notice, they are especially asking for supporters to show up this Thursday, August 20 for a rally. If you are able, hop in a car with a friend or two and show your support for the brave people protesting this facility.
Other Weekly Actions
DAILY, 4:30 – 5:30 pm
Saint Paul, Ford Parkway and Cleveland
Bring banners, signs, flags or just yourself.
Every Sunday, 1:00 – 2:00 pm
Minneapolis, Loring Park Bridge near the Sculpture Garden
Just north of Walker Art Center
Every Sunday, 3:00 – 4:00
St. Paul, West 7th at Smith Ave.
Every Monday, 4:00 – 5:30
Lakeville, Juniper Path & County Road 50
Every Monday, 4:30 – 5:30 pm
Minneapolis, corner of Central and University
Every Monday 4:30-5:30 pm
Minneapolis, 40th and Lyndale
Every Monday, 4:30 – 5:30 pm
Edina, at 50th and Halifax Ave S
On the sidewalk in front of Lunds
Rally for Democracy, Stand on Every Corner · Indivisible
Every Monday, 4:30 to 5:30 pm
Richfield, 73rd Street Bridge over 35W
Every Monday, 5:00 – 6:00 pm
Saint Louis Park
3510 Beltline Blvd
Every Monday, 4:30 – 6:00
Western Suburbs
Every Tuesday, 4:00 – 5:00 pm
Saint Louis Park, Excelsior Boulevard and Quentin
Stand with Us in Saint Louis Park
Every Wednesday, 4:00 – 5:00 pm
Minneapolis, Corner 12th and LaSalle, just south of downtown
Loring Honk for Democracy
Every Wednesday, 4:30 – 5:30 pm
Bloomington, Penn Avenue at American Boulevard
Rally for Democracy in Bloomington
Every Wednesday, 4:30 – 5:30 pm
Richfield, 66th and Penn
This group also meets every Saturday
Every Wednesday, 5:00 – 6:00 pm
Minneapolis, 36th Street and Lyndale Ave S
This busy intersection has music and dancing and lots of honks.
Every Thursday, 7:30 – 8:30 am
Pedestrian Bridge over Hwy 94 at Chergosky Park (SE Minneapolis)
For the early birds; no demo if it rains
Every Thursday, 4:00 – 5:30
Wayzata Weekly Protest (click link for address)
Every Thursday, 4:30 – 6:00 pm
Minneapolis, 42nd Street bridge over 35W
Every Thursday, 4:30 – 5:30 pm
Cleveland Avenue Bridge over Hwy 94
Every Thursday, 5:00 – 6:00
St. Paul, 35W Bridge, Ramsey and Grand Avenue
Claddagh Indivisible Bridge Brigade
Every Friday, 5:00 – 6:00 pm
Downtown Hopkins Streetside Protest
Every Friday, 5:00 – 5:30 pm
Minneapolis at 50th and Thomas Ave. S.
Rally for Democracy
Every Saturday, 12:00 – 1:00 pm
NE Minneapolis Bridget Brigade over Hwy 35 W
Every Saturday, 12:30 – 1:30 pm
Richfield, 66th and Penn
Same group meets every Wednesday. Go Richfield!
Last Saturday of the Month, 11:30 – 1:00 pm
Burnsville, County Road 42 West & Burnhaven Drive
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