My dear reader.

Last night marked the first time so far this year when I actually managed to not doomscroll any news-related media after 6pm, and to instead give myself a few hours before bed to drink some warm herbal tea, read a physical book, and cuddle with my dogs.

I, like every single person I know, have had my whole heart and mind oriented toward solidarity with the people of Minnesota who continue to be terrorized by ICE occupation, and who are protesting and responding in ways that are more inspiring and galvanizing than almost anything I have ever seen.

My original plan for today was to continue on with the essay series I started last week, but I’m bumping that back to February instead. This is simply not a time for business as usual. This is a time for action — actions of protest and refusal, actions of mutual aid — as well as a time to recommit to whichever personal nervous system regulation techniques allow us each to stay in the resistance long term. (Might I recommend not doomscrolling right before bed? Woof.)

Something I have been reminding myself, all throughout 2025 and even more so now, is that I do not need to see or understand any kind of big picture path for how to defeat fascism in order to simply do the next right thing. And by that I don’t mean the next most perfect thing — no. What I mean is that you use your moral compass to just take one small step after another, alongside so many other people who are taking their own steps, and you all trust and hope and pray that the combined force of those hundreds and then thousands and then millions of steps add up to liberation for all.

I have felt totally overwhelmed at times (you too?), and that’s because overwhelm is an understandable reaction to a firehose of cruelty. So is grief. And anger. And however else you might be feeling right now. Which is why I must remind myself again and again that we can only ever do one thing at a time, and that what matters is simply that the next step is taken, and then the next and the next and the next, together.

First up, a time-sensitive action step

If you live in the US: the Senate has until January 30th to pass (or refuse to pass) the House’s DHS funding bill. In the past 24 hours, Senate Democrats have (finally) vowed to block the current bill, but they need to continually hear from us about the fact that a) it is imperative to block any DHS appropriations bill or Continuing Resolution that maintains funding for ICE, and b) ICE needs to be abolished entirely instead of any politician bullshit about how they’re going to “reform” a right-wing death squad.

5calls.org has Senate contact info and scripts if you want them, but truly all we ever need to do when contacting our reps is to speak honestly about how we feel and what we want. Emails count too, as do voice messages left after hours.

Let’s light up their phones and inboxes every single day, ya’ll!

Next, for folks in the US and elsewhere who are able to contribute money (in any amount) toward mutual aid

The scope and power of the decentralized networks of thousands and thousands of neighbors helping neighbors in the Twin Cities is one of the main things that is giving me hope right now. This is the model of resistance we need, and yet the reality of trying to survive under capitalism is that this kind of effective rapid response and mutual aid cannot happen without money.

A friend on the ground shared this trusted fundraiser with me, which I am now sharing with you. From the organizers:

“Many of our neighbors have not been able to leave their homes for fear of being detained. To put it bluntly, it is simply unsafe to leave their homes. We are asking for your help and generosity to keep our neighbors fed, housed, and supported through these trying times. We are hoping to cover the cost of rent, utilities, groceries, medical expenses, and other financial needs these families may face in the coming weeks and months.”

If you are able to contribute to this mutual aid fund and want to drop the amount you gave in the comments, I’ll match the first $650, which is approximately what I earn per week from this newsletter (and therefore represents me redistributing 100% of this week’s earnings as part of our collective effort).

For additional fundraisers to support, check out both Margaret Killjoy’s recent newsletter (which also gives an in-depth look at the decentralized organizing efforts) as well as Stand With Minnesota.

Fuck the corporate-sponsored mass deportation operation

There are ten companies currently being targeted for boycott due to their complicity with ICE and with this racist administration, including Home Depot, Target, Spotify, Amazon, and Whole Foods.

You can see the full list (with more details about why each of these brands/companies are on it) at Ice Out of My Wallet.

As Leona Waller wrote (in this piece that helped inspire my own today):

“Publicly traded companies only have one god: profit. If numbers are going down, shareholders will buck and the board will pull rank to make any changes it needs to to reverse that trend. So we hit them FAST and we hit them HARD. That way, they don’t need to think twice about getting along so well with ICE and Trump.“

And then, those of us in other US cities can continue to learn from the resistance tactics in Minneapolis and prepare for our own potential occupation

I have already learned so much from the reporting being done by CrimethInc.

If there’s a particular source of information that has been helpful for you, please do share with us in the comments. (Especially if you are in the Minneapolis area: absolutely feel free to shout out whatever you want us to know!)

What we each do next will of course depend on where we live, what our circumstances and abilities are, and how vulnerable we are to being kidnapped by ICE, but regardless: now is the time to prepare.

Here’s a video recording of a bystander training I recently attended, focusing on knowing your rights when witnessing immigration enforcement. (It’s Massachusetts focused, but much of the info is applicable elsewhere and all states will have some kind of similar agency for immigrant and refugee advocacy that you can look to for guidance. Same goes for finding your state/city’s ICE Watch hotline. In my area it’s LUCE.)

Here is a series of slides from Minneapolis Area Synod, all about documenting and responding to ICE.

And then, to close, some words from an essay by Minneapolis resident Scott Meslow:

"Here’s the last thing I text anyone who checks in with me: Wherever you are, get organized now. Figure out who your likeminded neighbors are. Set up your Signal chats. Get some whistles (I can spare a few if you need them). This administration has made it clear that Minneapolis is just the beginning, and when they come to your city, you’ll want to be ready."

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More soon, dear reader. Stay strong and tender and loving and fierce.

Nic