June 22, 2020 to June 26, 2020

One of the biggest challenges to transformative change happens when the demands on the streets by those who are oppressed are interpreted in the hallways of entrenched systems by individuals who may be sympathetic but don’t not care enough to share power. Even so, we must not stop. 

So, I’ll start with some positives to keep fueling us. Here at CAAL, we are applauding the two decisions made by the U.S. Supreme Court that brought great relief to many. We started last week with the Supreme Court upholding the rights of LGBTQ employees, protecting them from workplace harassment and being fired or denied a job because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. Then, on Thursday, June 18, the Supreme Court reversed the administration’s decision to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program that benefits nearly 650,000 Dreamers. As Friday rolled around, we bore witness to the growing national consciousness about Juneteenth, and saw major employers proclaimed it as a holiday. These were all important steps and gestures, but more structural changes are needed. 

Righting the injustices and transforming our systems cannot be us getting back to business as usual. I testified before the House Tax Committee and said, “The systemic divisions and exclusions that are the root of the civil unrest must no longer be ignored, and must be directly addressed and invested in through the policies you create…” because it will be policies that will set the containers and direct the resources for how the areas most impacted will be rebuilt.

Out on the streets I hear people talking about and envisioning a future that is about shared liberation and shared prosperity. Yet, inside the chambers of the state legislature I saw that while many occasionally referred to this moment of injustice and the glaring inequities, when it came to doing things differently, or asking them to use their power to structurally change how resources could be diverted from those who have always had it, there was no movement. So, unfortunately, there is nothing to report from the special session. 

It is the responsibility of the people we elect to translate the demands of those who are suffering into policies; but, given how the special session ended, it’s clear that many think this moment will just pass. We must not let it. Now we must be even more committed to exercising our civic duties – register to vote if you are a citizen and have not yet registered; request an absentee ballot for the primary and general elections; work with us or others who are developing issue positions so that you can ask tough questions to candidates who are running for office this year (pssst – it’s almost every office that’s up for election); and, lastly, it’s not too late to become involved in election monitoring or to be an election judge. We must not let things get lost in translation, and we’re here with you.   

In solidarity,
Bo Thao-Urabe
Executive & Network Director

For Small Businesses

The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) will oversee the Minnesota Small Business Relief Grants Program approved by the Minnesota State Legislature and signed by Gov. Tim Walz on June 16, 2020. https://mn.gov/deed/business/financing-business/deed-programs/relief/. 

If your business plans to apply, please check the website, https://mn.gov/deed/business/financing-business/deed-programs/relief/, for the online grant application link. Applications will be accepted by law for a 10-day period beginning Tuesday, June 23 through Thursday, July 2. Meanwhile, you can review eligibility criteria, see frequently asked questions, and see what types of questions will be on the application.

Families, please share your experience with distance learning

The Minnesota Department of Education wants to hear from families about their experience with distance learning this spring. This feedback is extremely valuable to help MDE understand how help families as they balance the responsibilities of work and family, while also supporting student learning. The survey will close on June 30, 2020.

The survey is available here in English, Hmong, Somali, and Spanish.

Spark Leadership Fund

BIPOC leaders throughout Minnesota can apply for micro-funds of $500, $750, or $1,000 to carry out projects that address an community urgent need at this time. Applications are reviewed weekly. To apply, please visit our website here.