On Friday, September 26th, 41 Local Progress members and partners from across Minnesota met for our State Strategy Meeting in the beautiful Minneapolis Central Library to build relationships, learn from one another, and make concrete commitments for how we wield our collective power. We met at the close of a summer plagued by political violence, with ever-growing threats of the federal administration encroaching on local power. Still, we gathered with the clarity that local electeds have an instrumental role in supporting the daily needs of residents, that we need to build now for the wins we need far in the future, and that we are stronger and safer together.
A primary purpose of the State Strategy Meeting was to inform our Chapter priorities: the shorter and longer term goals that we are working towards together, whether that be in trans-local campaigns across jurisdictions or together at the State Capitol. We know that wins at the local level not only make residents lives better, but they expand what is possible at the State level.
Along with priority setting, we dove deep into the heavy context we are organizing and governing within: growing authoritarianism and political violence. We know that in order to keep authoritarianism from further entrenchment, we need to push back and use an inside/outside strategy to build a strong movement. Members shared their stories, challenges, and insights so that none of us go alone, but instead join together to protect our communities.
While we identified shared goals that we want to advance now, we also spent time mapping the steps we need to take now to get to bigger wins in 2, 3, or even 10 years, both at the local level and what we want to fight for together at the State Capitol. We envision social housing, fully funded public schools, and the basic needs met of all our residents, but too often, those visions seem so far away that we don’t know where to start. Luckily, with the collective knowledge and courage of our Chapter members, leaders, and partners, we can make real plans to work our way towards those visions.
Thank you to our partners from African Career Education Resources (ACER), Minneapolis Regional Labor Federation, Canopy Roots, Education Minnesota, Rep. Kari Rehrauer, New Justice Project, Inquilinxs Unidxs Por Justicia, HOME Line, Center of Rural & Urban Affairs (CURA), and TakeAction Minnesota for joining us in these conversations and for committing to our shared next steps.
Our time together was marked by a few palpable emotions: determination, relief that we’re not alone, and excitement at the possibility of what we can do together. No matter what comes, here we go!