Love is a force for good
Back in the day, back in the 'hood, i had a younger friend who kept me company as i walked my pup down at the railroad tracks. Becky was an only child and normally spent a lot of time with her mom at home. i enjoyed her company and we spoke about a lot of topics on those walks...life, politics, how to 'manage' the parents, school, animals, birds, trees and the Earth itself. One warm sunny summer day, she reached into her pocket and presented me with a gift. It was a smooth rock with another rock on top that looked like a turtle. The big rock was inscribed with: 'Slow and steady is the pace, a motto for the human race'. Something inside me took that motto to heart and thanked her for her thoughtful present. More than 60 years later, i still have that rock and regularly look at it with a smile. It reminds me to breathe deeply, drink water, take things as they come, change the things i cannot accept with ease and care, and that love is a force for good. Thank you, Becky, wherever you are!
— jester
Attend Your Precinct Caucus Feb. 3
Get ready!
"A wave begins as a ripple. A BLUE wave starts at our local caucus meeting. In these times that we are currently living in, now is the time we must stand up and defend our democracy. And it starts by showing up and taking part in our Democratic process called the caucuses. This night allows us to talk with our neighbors to discuss issues that are important to us at the local level all the way to the federal level. We then forward those issues written up as resolutions to our elected officials. This is what democracy looks like! Also, there will be a straw ballot for the Minnesota Governors race. We will tally up those votes and announce how our area feels about who should be the next leader of our state. The DFL caucus will be held at a location near you. To find out where to caucus go to ihttps://caucusfinder.sos.mn.gov/ and make plans on attending . It will be helpful is people arrived a little early for registration. Thank you and I hope you can make this event to show that the Democratic lion has awakened."
— George Pliml
- When:
- Tuesday, February 3, 7:00pm
Caucuses occur every even-numbered year on the first Tuesday in February. The 2026 elections in the fall will determine control of the Minnesota state government.
What are precinct caucuses?
Precinct caucuses are local meetings run by political parties. Anyone may participate if they live in the precinct, are eligible to vote in 2026 (must be at least 18 on Nov. 3), and generally support the party hosting the meeting.
By attending a caucus, you can learn about candidates for public office and influence who your party will endorse. You can bring up issues important to you that might eventually make their way into the party platform. Perhaps you will be chosen and agree to attend the district convention to represent a point-of-view. The next level of involvement would be the State convention!
Very often, anyone showing up to the caucus can become a delegate. Only a small percentage of citizens attend precinct caucuses, which means that your participation can have a large influence on the election process.
You can visit the Office of the Minnesota Secretary of State website for more information about precinct caucuses, including the location of the one you should attend, based on your political leanings and address.
Next NP Meeting
Conversation with Emanuel Anastos
- When:
- Wednesday, February 4, 6:30–8:00pm
- Where:
- Cook Community Center
510 Gopher Dr.
Cook, MN
- Special Guest
- Emanuel Anastos, Candidate for CD-8
Special speaker Emanuel Anastos, a candidate for CD-8, will address us. Emanuel earned a degree in Philosophy at Carlton College and is a native of Long Island, NY. He currently works in the Indian Child Welfare department at Bois Forte Reservation and resides in Tower, MN.
This is your opportunity to hear more about his positions on issues that matter to you & to ask
him your questions.
Please bring a donation for the Cook Area Food Shelf. Light refreshments will be served. All are welcome!
Breakfast in the Afternoon
- When:
- Friday, February 13, 2:00pm
- Where:
- Tavern In The Bay
Greenwood Township near Tower
Here's your opportunity to set the agenda for our future actions and programming!
All are welcome to attend.
Signing & Resisting Events
Each Friday at noon at the following locations:
- Cook: Hwy 53 and River Street
- Tower: Mainstreet by the locomotive
- Ely: Sheridan St. & Central Ave
Signs should include issues common to everyone like good jobs, enough money for food and healthcare, and a good education.
Calls to Action
Support Iron Range Families in Need
Donate!
In this very difficult time, we have community members that are unable to work and so they are unable to pay their bills and are choosing between groceries and heat.
Northland Legal Mutual Aid Fund
Urgent assistance for Jose
Northland Legal Mutual Aid Fund is a collective of friends & community, union organizers, and electeds from northern MN/WI working directly with individuals and families in need of legal and financial support, including people unjustly detained in the Douglas County Jail under an intergovernmental I.C.E. contract.
There is an urgent need for funds as a result of the ongoing administration's attack on our immigrant community and neighbors. Right now, community members are confronting unexpected legal and immigration costs, lost income, and urgent basic needs — and they need support now.
The Northland Legal Mutual Aid funds raised will go towards:
- Immigration attorney and legal fees
- Bail bond and filing costs
- Travel and communication expenses
- Basic family and financial needs while their loved ones are detained
Jose's Story
For our first round of support, we are seeking urgent assistance for Jose -- our friend and beloved community member of Virginia, MN who was taken from us by ICE. He is a kind human and incredibly good at his job where he made a last impression. And Jose's absence is notable and palpable here in our community now. We are currently raising $15,000 for an immigration attorney, court fees, bail bond, and more.
Defund ICE
Make a Call — 5Calls
January 30, 2026 Update: By a 71-29 vote, the Senate has passed the new funding package that includes a 2-week continuing resolution (CR) for DHS and fully funds the remainder of the government. The House is expected to vote on this package on Monday, February 2nd. Congress now has a new deadline of Friday, February 13th to pass a new DHS funding bill.
Boycott!
Take a stand
Some of the US’s biggest companies are coming under increasing pressure to speak out about the Trump administration’s Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)’s operations in Minnesota.
Talking to your kids about ICE
Having these difficult conversations
Postcards to Swing States
Progressive Turnout Project
Progressive Turnout Project boosts Democratic voter turnout with data-driven organizing, trained Campaign Fellows, and handwritten postcards to key voters—driving measurable results in critical races.
Read Learn Share Join Create
Thank you to all those who came to the Constitutional Observer
training in Soudan. You can find all of the resources we
discussed (& many more) on the Northern Civil Defense Website.
Small rapid response & mutual aid groups are getting started across our region.
Find one near you or start your own. Sign up for the Northern
Civil Defense Network newsletter & get connected to other
groups / become a part of the larger network.
Other events
Trainings — Community Defense and ICE Watch
by States at the Core (STAC)
- When:
- February 4, 11, 13, 25, 6:00pm
- Where:
- Zoom
"Join this 90-minute training from States at the Core and Protect RP on effectively protecting your neighborhoods from federal enforcement incursions. ICE Watch and other rapid response tactics are key strategies being used by people across the country to protect their communities against aggressive activity from federal law enforcement agencies like ICE and Border Patrol. Whether or not you are part of an established community response network, this training will share important skills for building neighborhood resilience, documenting ICE activity, and supporting neighbors. In addition to covering the basics of ICE Watch, we will discuss new analysis on ICE operations, rapid response tactics, and safety guidance."
Aaron Kania, Candidate for MN House District 3A
Conversation with the candidate
- When:
- Wednesday, February 18, 6:30–8:00pm
- Where:
- Cook Community Center
510 Gopher Dr.
Cook, MN
Free Community Meal
Strength through Community
- When:
- First & Third Sundays, 12:00–3:00pm
- Where:
- 510 Chestnut Street
Virginia, MN
- Free hot meal
- Food distribution
- Clothing distribution
- Free store table
Note that food, hygiene, clothing donations are needed!
No Kings 3.0!
Hold the Date
- When:
- Saturday, March 28, 2026
Our Breakfast In The Afternoon meetings will primarily be set aside for planning this event.
We need people to step up to make this a successful, fun, peaceful uprising.
