'Learn' Is An Action Verb

What We Are Called Upon To Do In The Face Fascism and AI

We the People are first animals equipped with basic fight or flight instincts. Our evolution as animals additionally gave us opposable thumbs, the ability to walk on two legs, a larger brain than our kindred primates and therefore the ability to think in more complex terms...to remember the past and to have the foresight to envision our own ends, and to learn in a variety of ways across a wider spectrum of situations, possibilities, and environments.

We, the editors of this newsletter, invite you to learn with us. Let's begin with some definitions of terms as stated in Webster's II New College Dictionary, 2001 (Houghton Mifflin Company).

Curious...(adv.) 1. Eager to acquire information and knowledge Initiative... (n.) 1. The power, ability, or instinct to begin or follow through energetically with a plan or task
Initiate (vt.)... 2. To introduce (a person) to a new field, interest, skill. or activity

Resourcefulness...(adv.) Able to use the means at one's disposal to meet situations effectively

Creativity...(adv.) Having the power or ability to bring something into being

Imagination... (n.) The power of the mind to form a mental image or concept of something that is unreal or not present. 2. The ability to confront or cope with reality by using the creative power of the mind

Learn...(vt.) To gain knowledge, comprehension, or mastery through study or experience.

We almost have a circle here. Thanks for being with us through this exercise. These are amazing human traits.

When i was a child one of the most invaluable gifts i was given was the encouragement to learn, to be curious, to ask questions and search for answers. Once i was able to spell things out, i'd go to my dad to ask what a word meant; he would tell me to go look it up. i was lucky enough to have a dictionary at my disposal. and despite my grumbling over not getting an easier answer to my question, i'd go look up the word, happy to see it was there. This happened often enough that i quit asking my elders about things i could find answers to myself.and initiated my own search. When i got home from school, my Gram would always ask what i learned that day. It was a special time when we sat down for those five or ten minutes; she was curious and interested as i shared a thought or story...a nice recap of the day that reinforced what i'd learned. Sometimes she learned something, too. much to my amazement. We, the editors, are asking you to do the same as we reformat our newsletter. We are asking you to lift your finger and click the links on those things that make you curious...those things you want to learn more about and take action on/for/about.

What has become increasingly clear of late is the government/corporate/AI desire to rob of our ability to think, reason, and learn. Big Brother and the Corporate Machine are out to grift us, to make us all renters and consumers, to make us docile, passive, non-participants in our own lives. A true democracy requires more than this, more from us. Exercise your mind and body to move the necessary work forward, to do what needs to be done to save our Nation!

The May 29, 2026 edition of the Minnesota Reformer put it most succinctly:

"AI summaries that have replaced traditional Google search are eroding our audience. We used to come up with Google search results and people would read our stories. Now Google just incorporates our original reporting into the AI summary and people don't read us anymore for the answer to their inquiry.

"This monstrous trend of turning the entire body of human knowledge into a techno-enabled Cliff Notes makes our newsletter subscribers all the more important as ambassadors of our work, so please talk us up whenever you can and encourage people to subscribe."

We, the editors, will not give you slop, mush, and garbage generated by AI, nor will we willfully offer articles that misinform, disinform, or divert from the truth of what's happening. We do the work so that you can do the work. And all our work is necessary, now and forever.

Onward in solidarity...The Newsletter Staff

Door Knocking Workshop

When:

June 4, 4:30–6:30pm

Where:

Grace Lutheran Church
301 E. Conan Street
Ely, MN

Trainer Demonstrations: Valerie Myntti & Leah Rogne

Doorknocking remains one of the most effective voter outreach tools we have. It is essential work in the run-up to the November election. Once you try it, you will look forward to doing again. And, again. Come and find out if doorknocking is for you!!

To register please email valeriemyntti@aol.com to reserve a spot!

Seven Days in June

Health must be treated as a core governing responsibility, regardless of ideology or party. Working together, we can build a healthier nation.

When:

June 4, 4:30–6:00pm

Where:

400 East 23rd Street, Scranton
Hibbing, MN

On behalf of AFSCME Council 65 and 7 Days in June, we invite you to participate in an upcoming community roundtable focused on the mounting challenges facing rural healthcare, to share lived experiences with rural healthcare, and to discuss potential sustainable solutions. We are bringing together labor partners, union siblings, and community members to participate in this roundtable and would love for you to join in this important conversation.

Seven Days in June is a decentralized, nonpartisan, grassroots-driven campaign to focus on how funding cuts will devastate local communities.

Silver Lake Cleanup Day

When:

June 14, 10:00am

Where:

Silver Lake Beach
Virginia, MN

Let's make the walking trail clean again.

Hands Across the Bong Bridge

A Cross-State, Flag Day Bridge Brigade Joining Duluth & Superior

THE GREATEST BRIDGE BRIGADE EVER!

When:

June 14, 12:30pm

Where:

Bong Bridge
Duluth to Superior

Expected Flow of the Event:

• 12:30 Start assembling at both entrance ways to the bridge
• 1:00 Participants start marching toward the middle
• When we meet up, Bridge Brigade signs and flags for about one hour
• Safely return off the bridge
• Post-event celebration (details to follow)
• Paddlers welcome in the water, too (stay safe)

On June 14th, Flag Day, join Rise Up Superior, Good Trouble Indivisible, Zenith City Indivisible, Duluth Indivisible, and Duluth 50501 for Hands Across the Richard I. Bong Memorial Bridge.

We will assemble on either side of the Richard I. Bong Memorial Bridge between Superior and Duluth (or Duluth and Superior, depending on your perspective) and march with signs and flags across the bridge on the protected pedestrian/bike path. Somewhere near the middle, we will join hands (and hearts and minds) in a demonstration of unity for democracy, for justice and for community. Two States. Two Cities. One Bridge. One Country. Our Country.

The Bong Bridge is 2.2 miles long - we will need about 3,000 people to be able to truly hold hands across the Bong Bridge. This event is set up for the Duluth access to the bike/pedestrian path (W. Michigan and S. 43rd Avenue West). The Superior trailhead is at Susquehanna Avenue, just behind the Quality Inn (46.722970, -92.125832).

Richard I. Bong was a hero (the "Ace of Aces") in World War II and received the Congressional Medal of Honor. He was born in Superior and raised in Poplar. Learn more about him at the Richard Bong Veterans Memorial Center in Superior.

The Next 250 Starts With Us

No Kings!

When:

June 14, 2026

Where:

Nationwide

As America approaches its 250th anniversary, we have a choice about what story we tell.

We can let strongman politics and corruption define the moment. Or we can make the story of America about people coming together — across race, background, identity, belief, and community — to defend our rights and build a future rooted in people power.

A Concert for the First Amendment

A Night to Build Community

Across the country, communities will gather for local watch parties to sing along, make art, share food, connect with neighbors, and take meaningful action together.

Join a Rise Up, Sing Out event near you, watch from home — or host a watch party in your community.

Minnesota says’ GAAWIIN! ‘NO’ to Big Tech!

When:

June 26, 1:00–2:45pm

Where:

Minnesota Capitol Front Lawn
St. Paul, MN

Join us June 26th for a rally in front of the Minnesota Capitol, where we will be presenting the Mother Earth Vs Big Tech Petition. This petition advocates for a two-year moratorium on the construction of hyperscaled data centers. Our goal is to deliver this important message directly to the office of the Governor of Minnesota.

Unfinished Freedom: 250 Years On

A Free Community Concert

When:

June 28, 1:00–8:00pm

Where:

Miner's Pavilion
1401 NW 3rd Ave
Grand Rapids
(Road Trip!!)

Join us for a fun community event full of music, food and drink for purchase, and connection.

Free event & parking, food & drinks for purchase. Bring a lawn chair!

Call for Writing

Activate your voice — storytellers, poets & independent journalists wanted

Panatrope wants you for the launch their new journal!

They are accepting written work of any genre: Poetry: up to 5 pages
Short Fiction or nonfiction: between 400-5000 words.

Write Postcards to Swing States

Progressive Turnout Project

Sign up for our Get Out the Vote postcards. We'll send you the postcards for free, along with voter lists and instructions with proven message options. You will need to provide the Postcard Stamps (currently $0.61). All the mailing dates for these postcards are in October.

Be a walking voter registration booth

Talk to neighbors, friends, family, co-workers — Make sure everyone has a plan to vote.

We have business-size cards you can print & distribute. Download & print on your own, send a digital version to your contacts, or arrange for us to get you already-printed cards.

Once you have a card in hand you can help people you encounter use a handy QR code to get straight to an online voter registration portal.

We've got this!

5calls

Pick an action & make a call

Organizing to Protect Democracy

How Elections Work (ACLU)

When:

June 10, 7:00pm CT

Where:

Online

Our right to vote is facing relentless attacks. Supreme Court decisions, redistricting wars, and anti-voter legislation have put access to voting under strain. But this fight is ours, and we'll continue to show up.

We know these attacks are meant to overwhelm and confuse us. That's why this Organizing to Protect Democracy session is focused on confidently understanding the systems that shape our elections and democracy.

Understanding and Responding to Christian Nationalism

by Christians Against Christian Nationalism Minnesota

When:

June 16, 6:30–7:30pm

Where:

Online

Christian nationalism seeks to merge Christian and American identities, damaging both the Christian faith and America’s democracy. It implies that to be a good American, one must be a Christian. This workshop provides information about Christian nationalism and ways for Christians, people of other faiths, and secular individuals to respond to Christian nationalism.

Strategy: Public Assemblies

Strengthen Community Resistance to Rising Authoritarianism

A couple of folks on a recent regional organizing call boosted this strategy & offered this introduction. It is really good & worth a listen.

Major Win for Asylum Rights

District Court Strikes Down Restrictions in Biden-Era Rule that Severely Limited Asylum

"'Today’s decision is a critical step in peeling back the illegal asylum restrictions at the border,' said Lee Gelernt, deputy director of the ACLU’s Immigrants’ Rights Project. 'Unfortunately, as a country we have forgotten the historic commitment we made after World War II to never turn our back on people fleeing persecution.'"

However:

Five takeaways from inside Fort Snelling Immigration Court

It’s one of 70 immigration courts across the U.S. where asylum denials have skyrocketed and secrecy is growing.

"During Operation Metro Surge, many of the people detained ended up in a nondescript government building at Fort Snelling where immigration judges decided their cases.

"At the peak of the surge in January and February, judges inside the Bishop Henry Whipple Federal Building ruled on more than 980 asylum cases. They granted it only two times, according to a data analysis by the Minnesota Star Tribune."

World Refugee Day

June 20

How have the Trump administration’s policies impacted refugees?

The impact of immigrants on the US economy

from the Brookings Institute

• "Immigration contributes positively to economic growth by expanding the labor force, increasing consumer demand, and supporting overall GDP growth.
• "Empirical evidence indicates that immigrants have historically contributed more in tax revenue than they receive in public benefits, creating a substantial fiscal surplus for the U.S. government over time.
• "Immigration plays a critical role in mitigating the economic effects of an aging population by increasing the share of working-age individuals who support social programs such as Social Security and Medicare."

Trump Squeezes Immigrants by Cutting Them Off From Jobs, Health Care and Housing

The methodically planned strategy is intended to pressure noncitizens, including many with legal status, to leave the United States.

Freedom Trainers

Register for free online trainings

Today, Freedom Trainers is a decentralized network of experienced educators and organizers, including leaders from the Horizons Project, Beautiful Trouble, and Free DC. Together, we work to counter democratic backsliding by equipping people with the skills and strategies of strategic noncooperation.

Our trainings are grounded in three core pillars:

• Know the authoritarian playbook — Understanding how authoritarians consolidate power.
• Understand the pillars of support — Develop a sense of how authoritarian power is vulnerable.
• Build noncooperation skills — Developing the noncooperation practices that fracture authoritarian support.

This May Well Be the Most Consequential Case in the History of Humanity

from Meditations in an Emergency (Rebecca Solnit)

"How this decision came into being might be one of the all-time great David and Goliath stories. Because this case that ended in the world's highest court began with 27 law students on the small South Pacific Island of Vanuatu who in 2019, asked themselves what they could do about climate--and it's not hard to imagine a 'what can we do, we're only students' or 'what can we do, we're in a tiny remote nation most people have never heard of' attitude, but instead they set out with the audacious ambition to ask the highest court in the world to render a verdict on the obligation of nations to address the crisis.

"Ralph Regenvanu, Vanuatu's special envoy for climate, said of the decision: 'I choose my words carefully when I say that this may well be the most consequential case in the history of humanity.' Christiana Figueres, who presided over the negotiations that created that Paris Climate Treaty declared, with jubilation, on her podcast Outrage and Optimism: 'this is without a doubt, the most far-reaching, the most comprehensive and the most consequential legal opinion we've ever had.'"

This Is the Formula That Defeated Orban

It Would Defeat Trump, Too.

"It had looked like an impossible quest. Orban and his cronies dominated the media, persecuted and smeared opposition politicians and changed election laws to benefit his party, Fidesz. Orban had seemed to achieve what the Hungarian sociologist and political theorist Balint Magyar (no relation) calls “autocratic breakthrough” — the point after which it’s impossible to unseat an autocrat using elections.

"Previous opposition politicians had described Orban’s regime as “corrupt,” a relatively mild term suggesting some aberration from the government’s intended function. Peter Magyar made no such accommodation. Borrowing a term coined by Balint Magyar, he has called it a mafia state — a fundamentally criminal enterprise. Third lesson: Don’t mince words."

Minnesota Senate Passes ICE Accountability and Justice Bill

"The Minnesota Senate passed an ICE Accountability and Justice bill responding to the unprecedented violations of civil, human, and constitutional rights endured by Minnesotans during Operation Metro Surge by federal immigration enforcement officials."

"'Minnesotans have endured unprecedented abuse, violence, and chaos from federal agents ignoring state and federal law throughout Operation Metro Surge, and these agents must be held accountable for their conduct,' said Senator Ron Latz (DFL-St. Louis Park), chief author of SF3699. 'This legislation provides critical safeguards and protections for the people of Minnesota, while providing strong accountability measures that will let people get justice for the abuse they endured.'"

Gaelynn Lea

Inspiring book by local musician makes it big!

Gaelynn Lea published an autobiography that is beautiful & full of stories about the place & people we hold dear up here in the northland.

Not only is she a brilliant, beloved musician & composer but she is a wonderful writer. This book is hard to put down for sure.

Written under collapsing ceilings, typed on phones

the poetry bringing Palestine to the world

"Poetry may not be the best response to aerial bombardment, but for many Palestinians it has become a line of defence amid the rubble and ongoing killings in Gaza.

"'Poetry keeps hope alive. Even in the darkest moments, Palestinian poetry continues to imagine a future,' Nazmi al-Masri, professor of languages at the Islamic University of Gaza, says at an online poetry event held by his students.

"'Poetry gives people a language to express collective grief,' he says. 'In Gaza, poetry documents what cameras cannot always reach and what numbers can never explain. When destruction erases physical spaces, poetry becomes a witness to history.'"

Texas’ Radical Past Points to a Possible New Future

The People’s Party history shows how to build a working-class movement

"Long before the Lone Star State started shifting, in the 1990s, from blue to red—after a century of Democratic Party domination—some working-class Texans had a reputation for being a different kind of “red.”

"They were the radical farmers and laborers who formed the backbone of the People’s Party and later the Socialist Party in the southwest."