Mic Check

Thank you to everybody who has reached out to check in. I’m okay, I am safe, and I am also exhausted, spooked, and expecting more.

For those who don’t know, I started my community organizing in Brooklyn Center in 2018. Our organization has moved our physical office to Brooklyn Park but continue to serve and work in both communities equally.

Yesterday’s death was jarring, but to have it be in a community I feel more closely tied to was even harder to process. I live across the street from the barbed wire and fencing for the Derek Chauvin trial and the demonstrations yesterday were in neighborhoods we’ve done outreach for work in. The police response to the protests had me turning and asking my friend why living in Bolivia prepared me to live in Minneapolis as we were met with tear gas, rubber bullets, and other blanks for just standing (and, for some, even just kneeling) in the street.

Around 11:30 we were told our gathering was “unlawful” and the national guard descended making it nearly impossible to leave.

It wasn’t until I got home that I found out there was looting. Those that I was with, holding space to show our frustration and anger with the death of Daunte Wright, were not looking to cause destruction.

I’ve been going nonstop besides this quick break to update. Please keep listening to community leaders and join the calls for justice.

My personal instagram has more “on the grounds” content, is public, and anybody can follow. However, if you like more polished content, I’ll be sharing more here and on the Ali the Ally page as I can.

Thanks again for all of the concern.

<3 Ali