Friends

It was such a week. Thank you for being here.

In Memory

Early in the morning of June 14, former state House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark were shot and killed in a politically motivated assassination. State Senator John Hoffman and his wife Yvette were shot in a similar assassination attempt; they survived the attack and are hospitalized.

We send deep condolences to the children, parents, family, and colleagues and friends of the Speaker and her husband. We send wishes for a full recovery to the senator and his wife. We are deeply saddened by the unspeakable violence they and their daughter suffered. We also thank law enforcement and medical personnel for their lifesaving and heroic efforts.

We join with Minnesotans across our state in mourning the loss of Speaker Hortman. She was a brilliant and skilled negotiator and leader who led with her values, including the need to defend against attacks on vulnerable communities. Under her leadership, Minnesota made gains in protections for workers, like earned sick time and paid family and medical leave. We made strong investments in children and in reducing childhood poverty. We made progress with climate action and gun violence prevention. We protected reproductive freedom. We protected LGBTQ+ families. We secured further democracy protections and strengthened access to voting.

The attack on Speaker Hortman and Senator Hoffman is especially gut wrenching because it is an attack on our progressive values and the use of the democratic process to work out our political differences nonviolently. We will continue to work for the vision of the Speaker: a healthy multiracial democracy and a Minnesota that works better for all of us, no matter what we look like or where we come from, where we all can thrive.

Arthur Folasa Ah Loo, a 39-year-old man with two young children, was shot at a peaceful protest in Salt Lake City. Afa, as he was known by many, later died of his injuries. He was known for his brilliant work as a fashion designer. We mourn his loss and send our love to his family, colleagues, and friends.

Local Protests

We came together

We posted a stream of coverage of the day's events both in the state and across the country on our Bluesky account.

We will be gathering photos and compiling an archive photo album available through our website. Please send us your pictures and stories!

A Turning Point

from Robert Hubbell

"It will take days or weeks to understand the scale and number of pro-democracy rallies on June 14, 2025. It will take years to understand that No Kings Day was the turning point in reversing the anti-democratic authoritarianism of Trump's second term. But for the millions of Americans who participated in the rallies, change was in the air. This time, it was different.

"The difference wasn’t just the doubling, tripling, and quadrupling in size over prior protests in the same locations over the last four months, although that was a bracing and welcome development.

"No, the sea change was in those who showed up to defend democracy. Yes, the older white cohort of retirees and 60s-civil-rights veterans were out in force. But so were young Latino men and women, abuelas and abuelos, Black Americans of all ages, LGBTQ people, people with disabilities, new citizens, green card holders, and migrants fearing deportation."

'No Kings Day' protests turn out millions, rebuking Trump

from Strength in Numbers

"Our unofficial estimate is that around 4-6 million people attended a protest event yesterday. Anti-Trump resistance is outpacing 2017.

"We have that information for yesterday, and we also have it for every day since January 1, 2017. That’s thanks to data gathered and published regularly by the Crowd Counting Consortium, a joint project of Harvard Kennedy School and the University of Connecticut.

"According to the CCC, there have been over 15,000 political protests since Donald Trump’s second inauguration this January. Over the same period in 2017, during Trump’s first term, there were barely over 5,000 protests."

What's Next?

Where do we go from here?

The coalition of organizations that came together to plan No Kings presented a huge group call for folks all over the country on June 16th.

They have a recording of that call and ideas/materials to move forwards available online.

In addition to things we can all do starting today, there is a call out to organize for the next large-scale mobilization.

Good Trouble Lives On

On July 17th, March in Peace. Act in Power.

"Good Trouble Lives On is a national day of action to respond to the attacks on our civil and human rights by the Trump administration. Together, we’ll remind them that in America, the power lies with the people.

"Coined by civil rights leader Congressman John Lewis, "Good Trouble" is the action of coming together to take peaceful, non-violent action to challenge injustice and create meaningful change."

Celebrate World Refugee Day

Hosted by Interfaith Committee for Migrant Justice

When:

June 20, 12:30–6:00pm

Where:

University of MN Duluth

Please join the ICMJ Twin Ports community in celebrating World Refugee Day. On this day, we will honor the courage, strength, and resilience of those forced to flee their homes due to persecution, conflict and violence. We will also recognize and express our gratitude for the many gifts and talents that they contribute to our communities.

Bridge Brigade Fridays

When:

Fridays until the end of June, 4:30–5:30 CT

Where:

Bridge at 25th Street East
(park behind Perkins)

Bring a sign. Everyone welcome.

Duluth Anti-ICE, anti-deportations pro-immigrant dignity rally

When:

Every Thursday, noon-1pm

Where:

60th Ave E & Superior Street

Duluth Hilltop weekly protest

When:

Every Tuesday 4:30–6:00 pm

Where:

230 East Skyline Pkwy

Protest map below. Green parking. Purple Protest site. Red no parking on church property.

One Million Rising: One Million Trained, Millions More Empowered

Hosted by No Kings

When:

Wednesdays, 7:00–8:00pm CDT

Where:

Online

"One Million Rising — a national effort to train one million people to help lead in this moment and gain the skills to lead others. This is how we build people power that can’t be ignored. You’re invited to join us—and lead."

Each Thursday: Calls with Indivisible’s co-founders

Several of us attend the weekly “What’s the plan?” Zoom calls with Indivisible’s co-founders Leah and Ezra each Thursday afternoon at 2 pm Central Time.

The calls are great for keeping you connected with current resistance efforts and strategy nationwide.

Find other events through Mobilize

Search for events near Duluth

Your donation is doubled in June

Indivisible National is doubling donations made to local chapters during the month of June. We greatly appreciate your support!