Olmsted DFLers and friends,
Here is your ‘Activism Roundup’ for the week of April 21st-27th, which will direct you towards upcoming ways to get involved in actions organized by local DFL volunteers and by other groups with a shared commitment to a strong democracy and to ensuring the safety and well-being of our communities.
We are in the midst of a constitutional crisis. This is not an overreaction. This is an urgent call for people who love this country and our freedoms to respond. Pick up the phone, make a clear statement with a sign, and please, please be vocal and direct with your friends and family who might need support and information to understand the crisis we are in. Please also make sure that you clear your calendar for the next nationwide mass mobilization event next Thursday, May 1st. Do not sit this one out. If you want change, show up and be counted in the outcry.
Thank you to all that signed up to volunteer and to receive more information about ways to get involved in the fight for our democracy and the safety of ALL the people who have chosen to call the United States their home - and thank you to all that are working to organize and make change. Democracy dies in silence. It's time to fight - get out there and make some noise!
Coming up this week (April 21st-27th):
Time: 7:00 PM, Monday, April 21st
Location: Peace United, 1503 2nd Ave NE, Rochester
Sponsor: Indivisible 507 - Rochester MN Area
Details: Come and meet other like -minded folks and get down to work standing up for democracy and protecting the vulnerable in our community.
The meeting will be structured much like the last one, with break-outs into various action teams after a short program. The meeting will conclude with a representative of each action team summarizing their previous work and future plans.
Our program features a presentation by Deb Seelinger of Intercultural Mutual Assistance Association, IMAA, letting us know about some new ways we can help Rochester’s immigrant population.
Sign-up/questions: indivisible507@gmail.com
Indivisible 507 - Monthly meeting
Time: 7:00 PM (central) Monday, April 21st
Location: Virtual (Zoom)
Sponsor: MoveOn
Details: Join us on the third Monday of each month for our monthly community call. These calls offer a platform for activists and supporters to stay informed about MoveOn's campaigns, connect with like-minded individuals, and collaborate on strategies to drive progressive change.
Each call features updates from MoveOn leaders, guest speakers, and opportunities for participants to ask questions and contribute their perspectives. Whether you're a seasoned activist, new MoveOn member, or new to the movement, these calls provide valuable insights and a sense of community in the fight for social justice.
Sign-up/questions: https://www.mobilize.us/moveon/event/750276/ | https://moveon.org
Move On: Volunteer Network Call
Time: 5:00-7:30 PM, Monday, April 21st (and every day this week)
Location: Virtual (Zoom)
Sponsor: Minnesota DFL
Details: Want something actionable that you can do this week to fight the GOP agenda in Minnesota? Let's help Denise Slipy flip the MN Senate seat in District 6! Denise Slipy is an environmental health and safety expert and first responder running in an April 29th special election to fill the vacancy left by disgraced GOP senator Eichorn. Phone banking is open every day this week, not just Monday. Sign up to help Denise Slipy turn out voters in her district!
Sign-up/questions: slipy4senate.com
Help Flip the MN Senate! Phonebank for Team Slipy!
Design a Sign with the DFL
Time: 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM Tuesdays
Location: DFL Offices, 1500 1st Ave NE, Suite A, Rochester
Sponsor: The DFLs of Olmsted County
Details: Want help making a protest sign? Or just want some good company and a place to discuss the issues of the day? Head over to the DFL offices on Tuesday afternoons from 4:00 to 6:00 PM. We will have sign making materials, help with bold and readable sign designs, and a projector for tracing for the artistically challenged! Bring your ideas, bring extra materials to share, and let’s carve out a little joy together while we make our creative messages. Joy is an act of resistance - and so is protest.
Do you have a creative streak and want to volunteer to help out on Tuesday afternoons? Contact us at olmsted2024dfl@gmail.com and get signed up to help!
Sign-up/Questions: https://www.mobilize.us/dfl/event/779336/
Time: 5:00 - 6:30 PM Tuesday, April 22nd
Location: Rochester Recreation Center
Sponsor: SD25 DFL
Details: Join SD25 to make Rochester "A Litter Bit Better"! We will meet at the Rochester Rec Center east parking lot. Starting at 5PM. Our cleanup will be both sides of Broadway north of the Rec Center. Be sure to wear a candidate or DFL shirt, I will also have some high visibility vests available. Bags will be provided. If you are unable to pick up trash, we also need people to hold DFL candidate signs for visibility. Gloves and appropriate footwear are recommended. Rain date is TBD.
Sign-up/questions: Sign-up Genius
Litter Bit Better Cleanup with the DFL
Immigration 101: What You Need to Know
Time: 6:30 PM- 7:30 PM (Central) Tuesday, April 22nd
Location: Virtual (ZOOM call)
Sponsor: Red Wine & Blue
Details: Stories about immigration are everywhere—on our social media feeds, in the news, and in our group chats. Families being separated, asylum seekers being turned away, policies changing overnight. If you’re asking yourself, “What is actually going on?”—you’re not alone. It’s time to get the facts! Join us to hear from Doris Meissner, a former Commissioner with the Immigration and Naturalization Service and Heidi Altman, VP of Policy at the National Immigration Law Center. These two experts will break down how our current system came to be, what led us to this point, and how new policies are impacting people right now. This isn’t just about politics—it’s about people, power, and a system that’s long overdue for change. Join us for a better understanding of what’s happening on the ground, why it matters and what you can do. See you there!
Sign-up/questions: https://redwine.blue/ | https://secure.everyaction.com/hjkcS4W9HEGN-c0ihh1zJA2
State of the State Address
Time: 7:00 PM Wednesday, April 23rd
Location: televised from the Capitol
Details: Governor Walz will deliver formal remarks and updates on Minnesota issues to a joint session of the Minnesota Legislature
Live streamed here: HTV1 - YouTube
Time: 10:00 - 11:00 AM Thursday, April 23nd
Location: Rep. Finstad’s office, 2746 Superior Dr NW, Rochester
Sponsor: Indivisible 507 - Rochester MN Area
Details: ‘Bug Brad’ about Due Process and Illegal Imprisonment! (trying again, since office staff were not available during his office hours on Tuesday!). Join us for an office visit-no press. We will meet outside of Finstad's office on the sidewalk and then organize ourselves into smaller groups to visit with office staff. This is the perfect opportunity for those who might be nervous to visit with an elected official. We will review information about the topic together and support each other in speaking up about this fundamental attack on human rights. If the office is closed we will have post-it notes to leave on the door.
Due Process: Everyone on American soil, including those in the United States without legal status, have the right to due process. The Trump administration is taking permanent actions, such as sending people to foreign prisons, without a legal review of the case by a judge beforehand.
Killmar Abrego Garcia: Fox News and the White House Press Secretary say that Garcia is a gang member and, therefore, can be punished by life in prison in El Salvador. Garcia, however, never had his case reviewed before he was imprisoned. While there is no solid evidence that Garcia is a gang member, depriving him of due process is an attack on fundamental freedoms (and a dangerous precedent) regardless of his alleged character.
Supreme Court: The Trump administration was ordered by all nine Judges on the Supreme Court to facilitate the return of Killmar Abrego Garcia.
Illegal Imprisonment: Immigrants are not only being deported, but they are being DETAINED permanently and without review in a foreign prison. Our tax paying dollars are paying for this illegal prison.
Threat to Citizenship Rights: Trump has said that he would like to “deport” citizens of the United States that he deems to be bad actors.
Sign-up/questions: https://indivisible507.org | indivisible507@gmail.com
‘Bug Brad’ about Due Process and Illegal Imprisonment
Protect Paid Family & Medical Leave Action at the Capitol
Time: 10:30 AM - 12:30 PM Thursday, April 24th
Location: Outside Senate Chambers, MN Capitol
Sponsor: Faith in Minnesota
Details: After 10 years of advocacy, we passed one of the strongest equity driven PFML policies in the country. Now a set of legislators are trying to take it away from us. No one should have to choose between a paycheck and caring for a loved one! We’ll greet legislators as they head into floor session and make sure they stand strong on PFML.
Sign-up/questions: https://secure.everyaction.com/i4FobaOGv06Avukhuvdyow2
Democracy Thursday Visibility Rally - Take a Stand for our Democracy
Time: 4:30-6:00PM Thursday, April 24th
Location: Broadway, near corner of 6th St SW
Sponsor: The DFLs of Olmsted County (Olmsted 20/24 DFL and SD25)
Details: We are moving to a standing Thursday afternoon rally. These events are informal and will now always be 4:30 - 6:00 on Thursdays on Broadway, near the corner of 6th St SW. Although the DFL is promoting this rally, these issues are nonpartisan and everyone who wants to protect our democracy is welcome to join us. Show up for part or all of the event, it doesn’t matter. Bring the issues that matter most to you, and stand with your community in solidarity. We need every voice. If you are new to protests, this is a great way to start. We will have extra signs with a wide variety of topics for those of you who don’t have one. Do not underestimate how much this matters. Almost all of the cars driving by honk in encouragement, and it lifts spirits to see people standing bravely and speaking out. The more people out there, the louder the message. If you can’t protest with us, please drive by and make some noise in your car!!
As Rep McBride wisely said recently on Pod Save America; 'If everyone has just a little bit of courage, then no one has to be a hero"
Let’s get after it, Rochester!
Sign-up/questions: no registration is required, contact olmsted2024dfl@gmail.com with questions.
(Please note that we are moving the sign making support to Tuesday afternoons 4-6 so that more people can join after work. Check out our Tuesday event above)
Policy, Politics & Public Service: Stories with Sheila Kiscaden
Time: 6:30 - 8:15 PM Thursday, April 24th
Location: Zumbro Lutheran Church, 624 Third Ave. SW, Rochester
Sponsor: League of Women Voters, Rochester
Details: The public is invited to hear LWV Rochester's guest speaker, Sheila Kiscaden, talk about her years of public service in state and local politics. Sheila’s influence and leadership runs wide and deep. Her public service began with Olmsted County Human Services. She was called back from maternity leave to play a critical role in the State Hospital shut-down task force. She served 14 years as a MN State Senator with the unique distinction of having served as member of three different parties - Republican, Independent, and DFL - during those terms. She recently retired after 12 years on the Olmsted County Board. All this was against a backdrop of furthering her education, raising a family, and other community service. She has led a fascinating life and we look forward to hearing her speak. Sheila also has a chapter in the LWVR book “Taking the Lead”.
6:30 PM - check in and social time, 7:00 PM - program
Coffee and dessert will be available during the social time. Our annual membership meeting will follow the program. Non-members are welcome to stay and observe. Information about joining LWV can be found on our website.
This event is free and open to the public with no registration required. Come and bring a friend!
Sign-up/questions:
Facebook Event https://www.facebook.com/share/1A3tqCV5mj/
Webpage Event https://mailchi.mp/lwvmn/2025-annual-meeting
LWVR Website https://www.lwvrochester.org/
Time: 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM Saturday, April 26th
Location: DFL offices (1500 1st Ave NE, Suite A, Rochester)
Sponsor: The DFLs of Olmsted County
Details: JOIN US FOR OUR APRIL DFL POLICY PANEL
In honor of Earth Day, our Panel will cover WATER and the ENVIRONMENT and issues in our backyard and State.
Featured speakers/organizations:
Save the Boundary Waters- Maggie Morin, Betsy Foy
MN350- Tee McClenty, Noelle Cirisan
Clean Water Council - Chris Meyer
Basin Alliance of the Lower Mississippi (MPCA)
Soil and Water Conservation District - Shona Langseth, Lead on Ground Water Protection & Soil Health Program for Olmsted County and James Rentz, District One Board of Supervisors
Sign up/more information: dflsenatedistrict25@gmail.com | Facebook event link
DFL Policy Panel: Water and the Environment - Issues in our Backyard and State
Time: 11:00 AM -1:00 PM Saturday April 26th
Location: Meet in the Overland Elementary parking lot, and we will spread out from there!
Sponsor: Indivisible 507 - Rochester, MN Area
Details: Let’s help make Rochester a ‘Litter Bit Better’ by cleaning up our neighborhood streets. No sign up is required, just show up ready to work!
Sign up/questions: indivisible507@gmail.com
Little Bit Better Cleanup with Indivisible 507
Time: 2:00-4:00 PM Sunday April 27th
Location: Christ United Methodist Church, 400 5th Ave SW, Rochester
Sponsor: Isaiah/Faith in Minnesota
Details: Right now, some politicians are dismantling our social safety net to make sure the most profitable corporations and richest individuals in the country get tax breaks. But we know what we need to live with dignity. Regardless of what we look like, where we come from, or how much money we make, we should all be able to get healthcare we need without going bankrupt. We should be able to care for ourselves and our loved ones when we need to. We should have the state resources to support healthcare, childcare, education, housing and more. But federal cuts threaten to unravel the social safety net that Minnesotans depend on. Who benefits? How will Minnesota’s elected leaders meet this moment?
Join this People's Town Hall to lift up stories of what we need, and ask our state legislators to ensure every Minnesotan can live with dignity. We’re leaving no one behind. Senators Liz Boldon and Carla Nelson, and Representatives Kim Hicks, Tina Liebling, Duane Quam, and Andy Smith have been invited.
Phone banking to encourage turnout for this event is held Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday of this week. Sign up for a phone banking shift HERE
Sign up/questions: SIGN UP HERE | https://faithinmn.org | https://isaiahmn.org
People’s Town Hall: Leave No One Behind
Time: 5:30-6:30PM Sunday April 27th
Location: Virtual (Zoom)
Sponsor: People Power United
Details: Join us for "Rapid Response for Our Freedoms", a powerful event where we stand united to protect our rights, freedoms, rule of law, and democracy. Are you concerned about the direction our country is headed and the far-right agenda threatening our future? Now is the time to stand up and take action! Your voice and participation are critical in this fight. Together, we can push back against these dangerous moves by mobilizing, organizing, and demanding accountability. Your voice matters now more than ever. Let’s show the strength of people power and fight for the freedoms we all deserve.
At People Power United, we believe in progress and the strength of collective action. Together, we can push back against extremism and build a brighter future. Join us in the fight for Freedom over Fascism and help amplify the power of people to shape our democracy!
Don’t miss out—RSVP today and become a force for change in your community!
Sign up/questions: https://www.mobilize.us/mobilize/event/747344/ | https://www.peoplepowerunited.org/
MINNESOTA: Rapid Response for Our Freedoms
Mark your calendars and stay tuned for more details...
WHAT IS THE DAY OF ACTION?
(from https://handsoff2025.com/)
THIS IS MAY DAY. Across the country—from fruit fields in California to classrooms in Chicago, from kitchens in Queens to loading docks in Atlanta—working people are rising up. We are laborers, parents, immigrants, educators, students, and neighbors demanding stronger, safer, and more dignified communities. We are demanding a country that puts our families over their fortunes—public schools over private profits, healthcare over hedge funds, housing over homelessness. This is May Day.
On May 1, 2025, in over 100 cities, we will honor the legacy of the workers who gave everything for the eight-hour day—and we will carry their struggle into today’s fight for a country that serves the many, not the few. This is not about commemorating the past. We are building the future.
Whether you're a single mom in Baltimore, a bus driver in the Bronx, or a nurse in New Orleans, you are under attack from billionaires who have bought off our politicians and rigged the system to crush working-class families. They’re defunding our schools, privatizing public services, attacking unions, and targeting immigrant families with fear and violence. This is a war on working people—and we will not stand down. These profiteers are trying to create a race to the bottom—on wages, on benefits, on dignity itself. They want to erase labor rights, break our unions, and silence immigrant voices. That’s why May Day is not just a rally—it’s a strategy. We are organizing for a world where every family has housing, healthcare, fair wages, union protection, and safety—regardless of race, zip code, or immigration status.
This movement is built by those closest to the pain—and therefore, closest to the solutions. We are reclaiming our power from corporate elites, and we will not be intimidated by Trump, Musk, or their billionaire backers. They’ve ruled for too long. Their time is up.
On May 1st, we will turn the page. This is the beginning of a new era—one where working families lead, immigrants are protected, and no one is left behind. This is not charity. This is not a request. This is a demand—and we’re ready to fight for it.
STOP THE BILLIONAIRE TAKEOVER. WE ARE THE MANY. THEY ARE THE FEW. THIS IS MAY DAY.
OUR DEMANDS TO BUILD THE SOCIETY WE ALL DESERVE:
Stop the billionaire takeover and rampant corruption of the Trump administration.
Protect and Defend Medicaid, Social Security, and other programs working people rely on.
Fully funded schools, healthcare and housing for all.
Stop the attacks on immigrants, Black, indigenous, trans people, and other communities
Mark your calendars for the next nationwide mass mobilization event. There will be both a rally at the Capitol in St. Paul and also here locally in Rochester. Location and time for the Rochester event will be announced next week. See more details about the call to action below. DO NOT SIT THIS ONE OUT!
Want to find out more about how to get involved in local 50501 organizing? Contact MN50501Rochester@gmail.com
Want to find out more about how to get involved in local Indivisible organizing? Contact indivisible507@gmail.com
National Day of Action: MAY 1st
Please let us know if we are missing relevant local/national events so that we can include them. Reply to this email or email us at olmsted2024dfl@gmail.com. You can also follow and connect with us on social media, where we and other DFLers announce upcoming events:
DFL in Olmsted County Facebook (public)
DFL in Olmsted County Facebook (private group)
Olmsted 20/24 DFL Bluesky (public)
Olmsted 20/24 Instagram (public)
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There hasn't been a threat to our democracy and national welfare so significant in our lifetime. Please get involved somewhere, somehow, and encourage a friend to join you. If you don't have sweat equity to donate, financial support of the local DFL units and/or other volunteer organizations will be put to good use!