I am among other things at heart a Minneapolis street person. I have just learned that the boss, Bruce Springsteen, has written a song called “The Streets of Minneapolis.” The theme of this column keeps playing in my mind. The streets of Minneapolis. I used to walk, ride my bike and take the city bus. Today I walk with my walker, take Metro Mobility and sometimes a Metro Transit bus through the streets of Minneapolis
I am just now receiving the news that the ICE Metro Surge operation is coming to an end. If it’s true that’s good. It was supposed to make us feel safe. I don’t feel safe because of ICE being here or the Trump regime being in power. I’m a non-immigrant white elder. Dear reader, do you feel safe? Tell yourself, tell others or tell me via tesha@tmcpub.com.
I worked for roughly 40 years in the field of professional nursing as a nursing assistant. The mantra of nursing as I understood it was do no harm! Due to the presence of ICE in Minnesota and the power being exercised by the Trump regime, harm is being done in a variety of forms. It’s going to take some time to recover. In some cases, maybe never.
I was doing what I could to protest and resist before the Metro Surge. At the state Capitol there was a mass protest against privatization of the postal service. At the state capitol I was at the Hands Off mass protest. I learned that it is physically too hard for me to navigate the large crowds. So next I conducted my personal No Kings protest from my front yard with help from neighbors. On Feb. 19 I joined my union brothers and sisters along with allies for what I’m calling ICE OUT FOR GOOD protest in front of the United Labor Centre (312-Central Ave. SE) at 10:30 a.m. It’s being called a pop-up protest. Anyone is welcome to pop in. And if you have read this far, you have taken the plunge into the river(flow) of life experiences which is Stories and Journeys.
AT SEWARD COOP FRIENDSHIP STORE
It’s Jan. 29. I was at the Seward Coop Friendship store. I was done shopping. On my way to the sitting area, I noticed copies of Southwest Voices. I picked up several. I noticed a man in the sitting area reading Southwest Voices. I thanked him for reading Southwest Voices. I told him he could find my column on page 4. He checked it out. He told me I looked better in person versus my head shot.
Another man approached me to tell me he liked my walker and asked me how he might get a copy of Southwest Voices. I told him I have extra copies; you can have one. Next, I was sitting on my walker by the front door waiting for Metro Mobility to show up. A woman came up to me. She said she had overheard me in the sitting area talking about the column I write in Southwest Voices. She wanted to know how she could get a copy. I told her I have extras. You can have one.
These encounters reminded me of one of the reasons I write Stories and Journeys. What I’m thinking, learning and experiencing in my life as an elder.
AT 26th and NICOLLET, 34th and PORTLAND
It’s Friday, Feb. 13. My friend and former co-worker now Uber/Lyft driver and me took a car ride so I could see the growing memorials for Renee and Alex and take photos for this column. Renee and Alex are making a difference. I am advocating for permanent memorials at these sites so we don’t forget our south Minneapolis neighbors.
ELDER VOICES AT TURTLE BREAD
On Jan. 30, I awoke to the realization that my need to stay home, write and eat chicken noodle soup was stronger than my need to be at Elder Voices. I am reasonably certain I will be back the last Friday of February, officially 10-11 a.m., at 4205-E.34th St.). Look for the Elder Voices sign.
THE STREETS OF MINNEAPOLIS. THE PROTEST AND RESISTANCE BEAT GOES ON.
Stay safe while a revolution of love appears to be taking shape on the streets of Minneapolis.
Donald L. Hammen is a longtime south Minneapolis resident, and serves on the All Elders United for Justice Board of Directors.
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