Minnesota - Please Read 1/21

Update Wednesday 1/21

Today I spent 4 hours tracking down where they sent a 5-year-old.

A 5-year-old.

Even having to type those sentences is insane — so another open post tonight because it needs to be, so please forgive the rushed sentences and probably lazy syntax. Full disclosure, I’m exhausted, but I also recognize I’m fortunate enough to have a position and a career where I can do something. So that’s what I’ve been doing.

Tonight I want to bring to your attention a few important stories that platforms like this one helped us to break nationally and put everyone on notice for what’s going on. All because of the way y’all have embraced these platforms and trusted me with them.

Last week I made a video detailing experiences we’ve had at the federal detention facility at Whipple in Minneapolis, which has become ground zero for detentions of citizens and non-citizens alike. Most notably, how we — as retained and hired attorneys and volunteer attorneys — were being told by officials that we were not allowed access to our clients. And that clients were not allowed access to us.

It’s as wildly unconstitutional as it sounds. That video took took off, and things kind of exploded from there.

It started with this article from ABC.

Then we landed the story on Good Morning America in video form. Second half with Robert, who’s one of the smartest attorneys I’ve encountered.

And then we got a video segment on ABC World News with a crazy story — and one we’re seeing even more of — about a US citizen and combat veteran being denied access to the right to counsel.

A lot going on behind the scenes, and the legal processes for this and 1,000 other things are overwhelming.

But I want to again assure you while you watch the definition of inhumanity play out on your televisions and smartphones: there are a LOT of us working an unhealthy amount to help people and stop this. And I’m yet to encounter anyone who’s charging for it.

Because we believe in it. And because we believe in what this state and this country are supposed to be.

This is a tipping point for Minnesota, and somehow, it seems to have become one for the US. Anyone banking on us falling off the edge is on the wrong side of that wager.

Much more in progress but this is all I can talk about for now.

Talk to you when I talk to you.