⛪ Should you protest in a church?

St. Paul church protest sparks debate

On Sunday, a group of 30-40 protesters interrupted service at Cities Church in St. Paul. They say a pastor there, David Easterwood, is also the acting director of ICE’s St. Paul field office (Easterwood was not at service that day). The protest has generated a lot of debate, and even legal threats by the Department of Justice and Cities Church leaders. Minister and former Minneapolis mayoral candidate Rev. DeWayne Davis joined the show today to give us his perspective. [🎧 City Cast Twin Cities / Star Tribune]

• Reminder: Davis said he wasn’t involved in planning the protest, but emphasized that acts of protest and civil disobedience are inherently disruptive. “ If you are more upset about our protest action … than you are about the injustice, I want to invite you to do some reflection,” he said.
• Relief: City Cast host Sean McPherson asked Davis if he felt relieved that he wasn’t the mayor of Minneapolis during this crisis. In response, Davis said: “Had I won, I think [the ICE response] would actually be worse because I am convinced that Donald Trump is provoked by the sight of people of color and by leaders of color.”

Local journalism: The news moves fast, and it can be tricky to find trustworthy reporting. That’s why we’re spotlighting five independent journalists we think you should be following. [City Cast Twin Cities]

Resistance goes mainstream: If you want to feel real Minnesota pride, Madison McVan at the Reformer wrote about how thousands of Minnesotans have become ICE observers and protesters recently. “It’s clear on the ground that in the deep-blue Twin Cities, federal agents — 3,000 strong — are far outnumbered by the people who want them out,” McVan reports. [Minnesota Reformer]

In solidarity: Em Cassel at Racket wrote about the many businesses opting to close on Friday, their busiest day of the week, to protest ICE. The Black Hart’s owner, Wes Burdine, told Cassel it feels like the COVID shutdown again, but “it's worth it to stand with our community in this strike.” [Racket]

Arrests deep dive: Immigration officials’ mantra has been about arresting “the worst of the worst,” but an analysis by the Star Tribune complicates that narrative. Of the 240 people arrested since Jan. 19, about 80% do have felony convictions, but most have already served their time. More than a quarter have no criminal charges in Minnesota. [Star Tribune]

Agents stopping cops: Law enforcement leaders from Hennepin County, St. Paul, and Brooklyn Park told the press that federal agents are racially profiling their officers and eroding trust between the community and local police. The leaders blame a “small group” of agents for causing problems. [Sahan Journal]

Thursday, Jan 22

• 👟 Walk to End the Silence | Mall of America
• 🏕️ BWCA Permit Release Party | Lake State Mountaineering
• 📖 Winter Storytelling with Black Garnet Books 🆓 | Walker Art Center
• ❄️ A Kickoff to the 140th St. Paul Winter Carnival 🆓 | Rice Park
• 🎙️ Christopher Tradowsky in Conversation with Chris Hewitt 🆓 | University Club of Saint Paul
• 🎵 Of The Orchard (EP Release Show) | 7th Street Entry

Friday, Jan 23

• ☕ Creative Mornings: Chufue Yang 🆓 | Guthrie Theater
• 🤝 St. Paul Winter Carnival's Day of Doing Good 🆓 | Saint Paul College
• 🚴 Naturalist Program: Winter Fat Bike Ride | Minnesota River Bottoms
• 🦒 Giraffes Can’t Dance (Opening Night) | Stages Theatre Company
• 🎧 Ryan LittleEagle's Album Release Show | The Midway Saloon
• 🎶 Halloween, Alaska: Farewell Performance | Dakota

• Senior Editor, Investigations at APM Reports / MPR News | $90k - $108k per year
• Legal Assistant at International Institute of Minnesota | $52k - $56k per year
• Director of Integrated Video at Collective Measures | $120k - $140k per year
• Senior Advancement Officer at Minneapolis Institute of Art | $110k - $125k per year