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Today I did two things that I thought I'd never do. Two very big steps in my political and community identities. Today, I stood up and spoke out. I marched with others struggling for their rights. I put stepped out and put my feet where my mouth (or keyboard) is, and it felt good...matter of fact it felt great!
About a week or so ago, Take Action Minnesota called me and asked if I would join them in a rally at the Minnesota capitol scheduled for this morning (the last day of the legislative session--I believe). I didn't respond at first--thinking about what I might have going on, maybe hoping I had something that competed.
Nothing coming to mind, I said, "Yeah, I'll be there".
"Great, you may know, Republicans have been....."
"Yeah, I know, I have been following quite closely", I responded, cutting her off.
"Okay, great. See you Saturday morning', she responded, sounding somewhat surprised I knew why I was showing up and cutting her off. I didn't need to convince me, I knew the issues and I had agreed...I'll be there.
So this morning I woke up to my alarm, getting up only after hitting snooze a good 3 or 4 times. Throwing on my robe, I fed the dog, grabbed a big glass of water and waited for her to finish her food--a slight nervousness growing in me. I was unsure what I would do at the rally--what good am I there? I am not a screamer, shouter, chanter...just not my style.
Eventually I had let the dog out and back in, showered, and left for the capitol. During the rally, I clapped when I felt it was appropriate and even took a few pictures, this being one of my favorites.
Still, while attending the rally, I didn't feel I was doing anything but serving as a warm body--another number against the machine (which I am okay with, but I wanted to feel like I was making a difference).
It wasn't until later in the morning that I felt like I was, however small, making a difference when I joined a number of protesters outside a local Cub Foods to protest how the company has been treating its night cleaning crew workers. To protest their unwillingness to even engage the workers in discussions about work conditions, wages, benefits--SuperValue (Cub's parent company) and Cub Foods completely refuses to engage the workers.
Having worked grocery night crew--stocking shelves--for very little pay, I somewhat understand where the night cleaning crews were coming from. However, I am not a minority, many of the night cleaners are of Latin American heritage--already this is a huge roadblock toward their vioce being heard--so I felt I'd help. I'd pitch in. I'd stand up against a locally owned company to demand justice for a group of workers that provide a service for this mega-grocer. Here are few images from that protest:
I just love the picket signs...how fitting.
For the last half of event, I held up the right side of this sign:
In closing...today I came out, from behind my keyboard, and stood proud as a progressive activist and it felt damn good and filled me with a lot of pride that I could join with others to fight the good fight in whatever way I am able.
I hope to do more of these types events...more rallies, more protests, more community action--after Democracy is participatory sport!
And now I am completely sucked into to watching the marriage definition debate on the MN house floor being telecast on TPT2-2--my word I am becoming a complete wonk and activist--I kinda like it!
UPDATE: As part of a Take Action Minnesota campaign, I have been tasked to keep any on State Representative John Kriesel (R)--he is currently speaking in the marriage definition debate and very fundamentally against the proposal--as are few other Republican representatives.
This is three times in the last month that I have had to agree or commend John Kriesel for his standing up the party line!
UPDATE 2X -- It appears Minnesota is going to put the constitutional amendment of the inclusion of the definition of marriage as being between one man and one woman on the next ballot vote. Wow...70 to 62...or something like that...I am surprised given the number of vocal republicans that spoke out against the motion and what signal it sent.
Will have to keep an eye to the messages being released between now and the referendum...
BTW--I am not gay...and have no stake in this vote--but Bob Nowlan (one of our writer's and a very close personal friend of mine is...though he's a cheesehead...damn Sconies...:} ).
Thanks for reading...