At #ThePeoplesMarch in St. Paul on January 18th, 2025, we heard from Alicia Granse, Staff Attorney at the ACLU of Minnesota. During Trump’s first term, the ACLU filed 434 actions against him in court. Now once again, the ACLU is working harder than ever to fight his cruel and dangerous agenda. 

Looking for a fun way to celebrate International Women's Day and Women's History Month? And with a discount? The Island of Discarded Women is a fun live show and podcast that lifts up women. They are all about speaking up, speaking out and amplifying women’s voices through personal storytelling, social commentary, original music, and inspiring guest conversations.

 The next show is March 6, 2025. Special guest is former Lt Governor, Marlene Johnson and musical guest is Follow the Firefly. And there is discount for the Women's March MN community: Special 20% discount off show tickets for all Women's March MN fans and followers with code: IODW20 (Get tickets: https://www.islandofdiscardedwomen.com/.)

At #ThePeoplesMarch in St. Paul on January 18th, 2025, our first speaker was MN State Senator Mary Kunesh (39, DFL). Mary is an Indigenous women’s advocate, chief author of the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA), and a champion for gender equality under law. The ERA must be passed to protect the rights of ALL Minnesotans, especially the marginalized communities that Trump is targeting with his cruel executive orders.

The proposed ERA language states: All persons shall be guaranteed equal rights under the laws of this state. The state shall not discriminate against any person in intent or effect on account of race, color, national origin, ancestry, disability, or sex, including but not limited to pregnancy, pregnancy outcomes and reproductive freedom, gender identity, gender expression, or sexual orientation.

THANK YOU to everyone who made the People’s March a huge success. Thank you to the wonderful performers, the powerful speakers and emcee who inspired us to action, and the fantastic organizations who partnered with us on this event, gave us actions to share, and spent time talking with marchers in the rotunda. Thank you to ALL the many volunteers who worked so hard to organize and put on the event, from beginning to end - program, fundraising, logistics, partnerships, communications, marshals, event setup, and volunteer recruitment. Thank you to everyone who supported the People’s March through donations. And thank you to EVERYONE who showed up for the event in the deep cold and made it clear that we will stand together to defend, protect, and fight for the rights of our families, friends, neighbors, and fellow Minnesotans!

We invite everyone to show your thanks by following up with action!

What are you going to do in the next four years? Answered by Minnesota singer-songwriter and storyteller, Molly Brandt. The goal of The People’s March (hosted by Women’s March MN) is to fire up and follow up! We invite folks to share videos of how they will follow up. Or tell us “what are you going to do” before, during or after the March on January 18, 2025.

What are you going to do in the next four years? Answered by Minneapolis-based fiddler, vocalist, and music educator, Rachel Calvert. The goal of The People’s March (hosted by Women’s March MN) is to fire up and follow up! We invite folks to share videos of how they will follow up. Or tell us “what are you going to do” before, during or after the March on January 18, 2025.

What are you going to do in the next four years? Answered by Minneapolis jazz singer, Leslie Vincent.The goal of The People’s March (hosted by Women’s March MN) is to fire up and follow up! We invite folks to share videos of how they will follow up. Or tell us “what are you going to do” before, during or after the March on January 18, 2025.

What are you going to do in the next four years? Answered by singer – songwriter and mom  Sarah Morris The goal of The People’s March (hosted by Women’s March MN) is to fire up and follow up! We invite folks to share videos of how they will follow up. Or tell us “what are you going to do” before, during or after the March on January 18, 2025.

What are you going to do in the next four years? Answered by singer, songwriter, and named one of 2018’s Best New Bands by First Avenue, Faith Boblett. The goal of The People’s March (hosted by Women’s March MN) is to fire up and follow up!

EVENT Jan 11 2025: A Tribute to Dolly Parton at the Fine Line - fundraiser for Women's March MN

Please join us for the Dolly Parton Tribute Jan 11, 2025 at the Fine Line. It is a fundraiser for Women’s March Minnesota, and we especially appreciate it as we prepare for the People's March on January 18. (Donations are always welcome.)

The performers have been supporting Women's March for many years now. It's always a fun show. It's a great chance to experience a bunch of local musicians in one night.

To get us fired up for the People’s March, we’re hosting a The People's March Pre-Party!. We will have coloring-book-type posters that folks can decorate and take home to share around town. Also we'll be rocking out to three fabulous performers:

• • Faith Boblett showcases her own brand of pop, Americana, rock, and alt-country.

  • Katy Vernon - performing with bandmate Paul Odegaard. Performing an acoustic set of her original music including new songs from their new project Favourite Girl.

  • Cassandra Cole – singing about the human experience with raw energetic passion and an eclectic modern edge.

Details: Jan 8 at the White Squirrel (9-11:30pm)

We are more than a march, we’re a movement! We are asking marched to use the march on January 18, 2025, to Fire Up. But then Follow Up with action. We will be asking folks over the next weeks to send us ideas and inspiration for follow up.  Today we invite singer, songwriter, bad ass feminist, Chanelmarie Brooks to tell us what she plans to do to follow up the march.

We are more than a march, we’re a movement! We are asking marched to use the march on January 18, 2025, to Fire Up. But then Follow Up with action. We will be asking folks over the next weeks to send us ideas and inspiration for follow up.  Today we invite musician Katy Vernon, founder of Favourite Girl, what she plans to do to follow up the march.

Here are four things you can do to support our communities before the holidays:

1. Have your organization officially endorse the Firewall for Freedom campaign by signing up here.  Only one authorized representative of each organization needs to sign.  The longer this list grows, the better.

2. Have the everyone in your community show support by using these links to make a phone call, send an email, or sign the petition.  Spread these far and wide, within your organization's membership and to family and friends!

     * Phone call:  Office of Gov Tim Walz - 651-201-3400

     * Email:  bit.ly/nsa-email-action

     * Petition:  bit.ly/nsa-petition-action

3. Have a group from your organization make a visit to the Governor's office before the holidays.  We would like to have a presence from community groups that support immigrants at the office from December 9 until December 20 (and potentially beyond) encouraging the Governor to stand with our communities.  This visit should include an action that fits your group's capacity and identity, including delivery of holiday cards, singing songs, sharing dance, or any other action grounded in love for our neighbors.  Make sure and let the Governor and his staff know who you are and why you're there!  We are happy to support any action with resources or attendees as needed, so contact us at info@northstaract.org to coordinate! 

4.  Create messages for the Governor at this joyful card making event at the Colorwheel Gallery on Sunday, December 8.    12 - 4 pm at 319 W 46th St in Minneapolis.

To all who believe in standing up for truth and compassion, NOW is the time to get together to celebrate our collective STRENGTH, HOPE & RESILIENCE! Let’s do that on December 5th!

Special 20% discount off show tickets for all Women's March MN followers with code: IODW20

Doors open in the Main Stage at Crooners at 6:30pm for dinner & cocktails!
Show is 7:30 – 9:00pm
LIVE Real-Time CAPTIONING is available at all of our shows!
Crooners Supper Club 
6161 Highway 65 NE, Minneapolis, MN 55432
FOR TICKETS: https://www.islandofdiscardedwomen.com/

So much has changed in the past 8 years. One thing that hasn't changed is our need for community, voice and a continued push for justice.

We need you; we need community.

We are working on a way to honor the marches of the past, to be heard, to renew dedication to the cause and celebrate community. If you are interested in learning more or volunteering please sign up and save the date: January 18, 2025.

There are two things you can do now to help smooth the path for an Equal Rights Amendment in Minnesota and the US.

The reason so much great legislation (codified abortion rights, Paid Family Leave, universal free school meals, steeply progressive child tax credit, etc.,) got passed in MN last session was that the DFL controlled the House, the Senate and the governorship. However, the margins were slim and these seats are not guaranteed this election. 

It is very important we get to work to support MN candidates in critical districts and tight races by donating to their campaigns, door knocking and phone/text banking for them. 

Here are just a few great candidates to consider: 

MN Senate

• Ann Johnson Stewart (SD45, Minnetonka) - Stewart must win for the DFL to keep its very slim majority (34-33) in the senate.

MN House

• Kari Rehrauer (35B - Coon Rapids, SE Andover) 

• Lucia Wroblewski (41A - Lake Elmo) 

• Lucy Rehm (48B - Chanhassen) 

• Matt Norris (32B - Blaine, Lexington)

• Zack Stephenson (35A - Anoka/Coon Rapids)

Other critical races to consider include Virginia/Eveleth (7B); St Cloud (14A and 14B); N. Mankato (18A); Winona (26A); Champlin (34A); Lino Lakes (36A); Cottage Grove/Hastings (41B); Long Lake (45A); Shakopee (54A); Lakeville (57B).  Find details of these races and the candidates running in this excellent article by MinnPost.
Find a candidate near you, and sign up to support their campaign in any way you can!