Hello friends!
In the depths of winter, those days that barely hit zero degrees for what feels like days on end, my thoughts turn to a time burned into memory. A friend, a fellow artist and dreamer, who attended Macalester College in St. Paul, lived in a house built in the 1880's near a park. One day, i went ot visit her. It was a hot, sultry summer day- a day when a body sweats without moving, the birds struggle to sing or fly, the river flows more slowly than usual, and the leaves on the vegetation murmur in whatever breeze comes along. We have a quiet visit. We speak of what she is learning in school, the books she's reading, and the changes in her thinking as a result. We eat smoked salmon on saltines and consume cool drinks as we sit in her well-lit kitchen on the north side of the house, away from the sun. When evening falls, we decide to move to gin and tonics-our conversation is rich and full. Eventually, we move to the southside of the house to raise the window and to crawl out on the roof of the porch below, to catch the evening breeze. We also decide it's time for some tunes, but which genre? Ah, Janis Joplin, Bessie Smith, and Billie Holiday...perfect for such an evening! Sometimes we sit silently, sometimes we talk as we watch the stars emerge in the sky above. We are finally comfortable and feel whole.
— jester
Donate to NP!
We're now able to accept online donations!
We run on a shoestring budget, on volunteer labor.
Your support is vital and fuels our continued work and success.
Your donation to Northern Progressive’s Act Blue account goes directly to our local group.
Next NP Meeting
Aaron Kania, Candidate for MN House District 3A
- When:
- Wednesday, February 18, 6:30–8:00pm
- Where:
- Cook Community Center
510 Gopher Dr.
Cook, MN
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.
Other events
Iron Range Indivisible Monthly Meeting
Dan Horoshak for State Rep District 7B
- When:
- February 10, 6:00pm
- Where:
- the Hive in Aurora
Trainings — Community Defense and ICE Watch
by States at the Core (STAC)
- When:
- February 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."
DFL Fundraiser
with Chair Richard Carlbom
- When:
- February 21, 12:00–2:00pm
- Where:
- Duluth (location provided upon registration)
Join us for a fundraiser on Saturday, February 21, from 12:00–2:00 PM, as Democrats, organizers, and supporters come together to strengthen our party across the region.
The Minnesota DFL is excited to host this fundraiser, bringing together elected leaders, grassroots organizers, and community members to build Democratic momentum and advance shared values through strong organizing across Northern Minnesota.
This event serves as a key fundraiser to support Democratic candidates and invest in organizing, outreach, and voter engagement in Northern Minnesota during the 2026 election cycle. We hope you'll join us for an afternoon of connection, conversation, and commitment to building a stronger Minnesota together.
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.
Calls to Action
Call Grant Hauschild & tell him to support SF1059
Senator Grant Hauschild (03, DFL)
SF1059 that provides health care for more Minnesotans.
Senator Grant Hauschild (03, DFL) has voted against it in the past.
Defund ICE
Make a Call — 5Calls
February 3, 2026 Update: By a 217-214 vote, not along party lines, the House has passed the Senate’s government funding package and two-week CR for DHS. Congress now has until Friday, February 13th to pass a new DHS funding bill.
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.
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.
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.
