No Place for Gender-Based Violence in Politics: 6 Ways to Take Action
In a meeting earlier this week, Women’s March Minnesota - Action Fund (WMMN-AF) members heard disturbing accounts of recent gender-based harassment against candidates, staff/volunteers of candidates, and even supporters who simply had lawn signs out – both verbal and physical.
We are also hearing about sexual violence happening across college campuses with administrators expecting little accountability from predators. (To read more on such topics, both Gender Justice and Women’s March MN Action Fund recently had letters to the editor published in the MN Star Tribune.)
Gender-based harassment and/or violence affects everyone, and it can negatively impact both physical and mental health. We cannot allow such assaults on human dignity to happen. Not to women running for office. Not to college students. Not to anyone.
We all have the right to feel safe. We refuse to be intimated out of running for office, learning, volunteering, voting, or simply existing!
As Minnesotans, we protect our neighbors. And right now that means standing up for vulnerable candidates for office (and their staff/supporters) AND voting for those who would hold perpetrators of violence accountable.
Here are several wayS you can make a positive impact:
Vote early in person! (We cannot say this enough!)
Bring five other people to vote. Friends, neighbors, family, colleagues. If you know them, encourage them to vote.
Check out the Democracy Action Hub, your next step after last weekend's No Kings Vote Early events.
Volunteer with the Election Protection Network to keep the polls safe and help people get to the polls.
Learn about the Minnesota Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) this Friday, October 23 and how it would embed freedom, fairness, and equality for everyone into our state constitution, plus how to get involved in the campaign!
Support a candidate in a way that's meaningful to you! Let them know that there are kind people out there to outweigh the cruel ones. Whether you're sending them a positive message, donating to their campaign, displaying a lawn sign or a button, knocking doors, or simply letting them know you voted for them — anything helps! Your neighborly gesture could be just what they needed today. If you're looking to volunteer, here are some upcoming opportunities:
Get Out the Vote Door Knock in Burnsville (Daily until Nov 3)
Get Out the Vote Door Knock in Hastings (Daily until Nov 3)
Door Knock for Heather Gustafson (Oct 22-23)
Take Action with Janigo in MN 37 (various events)
Take Action with Amanda Matchett (various events)
We all have the right to feel safe. We refuse to be intimated out of running for office, learning, volunteering, voting, or simply existing!
(Photo by KingDemetrius Pendleton, at Good Trouble Lives On Twin Cities, 2025)