American Democracy at the Crossroads with Rev.Dr. Iva E. Carruthers

Minnesota has long been a place of refuge. Generations of immigrants, refugees, and people fleeing war, persecution, and violence have found not only safety here but the opportunity to build new lives. They are our neighbors, coworkers, classmates, business owners, and faith leaders. They have helped shape the rich religious diversity that strengthens our state. Today, however, many of these communities are living with profound uncertainty. Changes to Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and new restrictions on access to asylum have left families wondering whether the homes, livelihoods, and communities they have built can endure. This week the Supreme Court issued two significant immigration rulings that narrow humanitarian protections. Mullin v. Al Otro Lado , the Court upheld the federal government's policy of turning away people seeking asylum at U.S. ports of entry. Mullin v. Doe , the Court ruled that the Trump administration may end Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for thousands of immigrants from Haiti and Syria many who face life-threatening consequences if forced to return to their country of origin. This moment is especially troubling because it challenges a commitment the world made in the aftermath of World War II: that people fleeing persecution should have the opportunity to seek protection. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights affirms in Article 14 that "everyone has the right to seek and to enjoy in other countries asylum from persecution." Across our religious traditions, this principle resonates with a shared moral conviction that those escaping violence, oppression, or religious persecution deserve compassion rather than exclusion. As access to asylum narrows and humanitarian protections are reduced, many of the world's most vulnerable people—including those persecuted because of their faith—face even greater insecurity. For the Minnesota Multifaith Network, this is not simply a debate about immigration policy. It is a test of the kind of society we seek to build. Our diverse religious, spiritual, and philosophical traditions teach that every human life possesses inherent dignity and that we are called to care for the stranger and stand alongside those who live in fear. At a time when anxiety and division are reshaping our public life, we believe our deepest values invite us to resist fear with relationship, indifference with solidarity, and exclusion with hospitality. In doing so, we strengthen not only immigrant communities but the moral fabric of Minnesota itself. Minnesotans are not powerless in the face of these challenges. Each of us can help preserve our state's tradition of welcome by building relationships across cultures and faiths, supporting organizations that accompany refugees and asylum seekers, advocating for policies that uphold human dignity, and speaking out when fear and misinformation threaten our neighbors. Faith communities, civic organizations, and individuals all have a role to play in creating places where newcomers are seen, heard, and valued. By choosing compassion over indifference and courage over fear, we affirm that every person is worthy of dignity, safety, and belonging. In doing so, we not only stand with migrants and those seeking asylum—we strengthen the bonds of trust, justice, and pluralism that make Minnesota a place where all can flourish. The most important document that makes clear the rights of refugees and asylum seekers is found in the United Nations The 1951 Refugee Convention and 1967 Protocol. The Shoulder to Shoulder Campaign has shared the following list of resources and statements below for you and your networks, in case they may be helpful in light of these decisions.  FWD.us - statement and resources RNS Article: As Supreme Court clears way to deport Haitians and Syrians, faith leaders grieve, prepare for what’s next (indexed in Atlas of American Belonging) What is happening with Temporary Protected Status (TPS) in the United States" — FAQs from International Refugee Assistance Project Shoulder to Shoulder Campaign post Church World Service (CWS) - roundup of resources and ways to take action Bend the Arc: Jewish Action Muslim Civi Coalition Interfaith Immigration Coalition Muslim Advocates Muslims for Just Futures We Are All America Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism Jewish Council for Public Affairs National Council of Jewish Women National Network for Arab American Communities American Friends Service Committee Jesuit Refugee Service/USA Communities United for Status and Protection CAIR Center for Constitutional Rights Human Rights First CASA National Immigration Project The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights National Immigration Law Center National TPS Alliance Haitian Bridge Alliance

Saturday, June 27, 5;00 - 7:00 p.m.; Brian Coyle Community Center, 420 15th Avenue3 South The new band Ardaa will perform on Saturday, June 27, at the Somali Independence Day Cultural Festival taking place in Cedar-Riverside from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Ardaa are the headliners and will go on at a little after 6:00 p.m. Ardaa's mission is to rescue songs that were popular in Somalia before the Civil War in the early 1990s. The music is still remembered by many Somalis here in the Twin Cities, who are thrilled that Ardaa is ready to transmit these songs to younger Somalis who miss not just the music, but also the creative ferment that was a big part of life in Somalia before the War. The band consists of Ahmed Yusuf (vocals), Muhumed Ali Magan (oud), Mick Labriola (percussion) and Dawn Doering (ney, not pictured). Pictured but not performing on Saturday is Misbil Hagi-Salaad (vocals). The Cultural Fluency Initiative is supporting this effort. 

Saturday, June 27, 9:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.; Parish Hall, Unity Church, 733 Portland Avenue, St. Paul, and on Zoom The Unity Church Unitarian Indigenous Justice Team would like to extend an invitation to an interactive event featuring Mark Charles on Saturday, June 27, 9:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Mark Charles’s weekend visit to Minnesota is being co-hosted by the Minnesota Repair Communities for Makoce Ikikcupi and a working group of Community Outreach Teams at Unity Church. The Central Minnesota Repair Community, hosted by New Journey UCC and River of Hope ECLA, is offering a full day of events with Mark Charles in Hutchinson on Sunday, June 28. Mark R. Charles is a Native American activist, public speaker, author, and former independent U.S. presidential candidate known for confronting systemic racism and the legacy of the Doctrine of Discovery. A dual citizen of the U.S. and Navajo Nation, he has served as a journalist, pastor, and consultant, advocating for truth-telling, and reconciliation. Charles co-authored Unsettling Truths: The Ongoing Dehumanizing Legacy of the Doctrine of Discovery with Soong-Chan Rah. 

Friday, June 26, 1:00 - 2:30 p.m .; Minnesota State Capitol, 75 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Blvd, St Paul Join Mukwa and other Indigenous organizations and leaders on June 26 for a rally in front of the Minnesota Capitol, where they will be presenting the "Mother Earth vs. Big Tech Petition." This petition advocates for a two-year moratorium on the construction of hyperscale data centers. The group's goal is to deliver this important message directly to the office of the Governor of Minnesota. RSVP is encouraged. 

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Friday, June 26, 2:00 - 4:30 p.m.; The O’Shaughnessy at St. Catherine University, 2004 Randolph Avenue, St. Paul Come together with an audience of all ages for an inspiring performance of "Kumbayah: The Juneteenth Story." Written by Rose McGee and produced by the Sweet Potato Comfort Pie organization, this play examines the historical events surrounding the Emancipation Proclamation and has grown into an annual celebration and family affair for the actors, production team, and audiences alike. This 30th anniversary performance will feature special guest appearances from former cast members who gather in celebration of the play’s legacy. This event is free, but registration is required.

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Thursday, June 18, 8:45 - 11:00 a.m.; Quincy Hall, 1325 Quincy Street NE, Minneapolis Join the Minnesota Humanities Center at its annual Juneteenth Brunch, this year featuring poet and #1 New York Times bestselling author Clint Smith, who will examine how we can connect the history of Juneteenth to the broader American story of how freedom has been defined and delayed – and how we can work together to educate our neighbors and make good on the promise to afford full citizenship to African Americans. Spend the morning enjoying a meal and conversation, and receive a complimentary copy of Clint Smith’s book, How the Word is Passed: Remembering Slavery and How It Shaped America. Full tables (10 seats) are $700; half tables (5 seats) are $350; individual tickets are $75. Nonprofit tables (10 seats) are $600, and nonprofit half tables (5 seats) are $300. 

Wednesday, May 27, 7:00 – 10:00 p.m. (doors open at 6:30 p.m.); The Main Cinema, 115 SE Main Street, Minneapolis The Niagara Foundation invites MnMN members to a special one-night screening of Gazelle in Minneapolis. Set in New York, Gazelle follows Yakup, a Turkish music teacher navigating the asylum process while trying to reunite with his family. The film is a deeply human story about exile, identity, waiting, and the cost of starting over. The film premiered at the Vancouver International Film Festival, where it received the Vanguard Audience Award, and later screened at the Chicago International Film Festival and Dances With Films New York, where it won the Industry Choice Award. To view the trailer: https://youtu.be/bxYSDF8XoRQ?si=XctDJtvtWkIaaNgN