It’s strange how worlds connect… I subscribe to Ian Bicking’s blog for my work; he’s a high-profile and very talented Python computer programmer, and that’s mostly what he blogs about. Didn’t expect to ever see his blog linked to from YAR!

It didn’t register until halfway through the post that the person cuffed in the photo Tim linked to is my friend Monica. She had worked for the American Friends Service Committee, we organized together in college, and I have a lot of respect for her personally and politically.

Turns out it was her house that was raided. She’s since been released due to legal pressure, but our friend Eryn — along with many others — is still in custody.

Monica’s brother has written a helpful post “about her personally instead of another story about a named but otherwise anonymous “protester”.”

Not surprisingly, this story is blurring the usual lines between targets of overt state repression and people like me, categories that until recently seemed pretty distinct. I’ve been sick to my stomach reading about this.

As for what we can do, their legal team has written:

There are a handful of individuals within the jail who are being denied medical attention. Coldsnap is asking for people to call the jail at 651.266.9350 or the St. Paul Mayor’s office at 651.266.8510 and demand that all arrestees receive proper treatment and access to medical services. Additionally, we demand that all protesters are immediately released and that all charges are dropped.

(See here for more on supporting those in custody.)

It’s been scary to read about this unfolding story. But it’s also inspiring to see people organizing for themselves around the idea of mutual aid and solidarity.

In all of this, I’m thinking a lot about how to build relationships that can make it through tough situations like these. And I’m praying.

In the meantime, I’ll put on my old Rage Against the Machine album…