PRST STD U.S.POSTAGE PAID TWIN CITIES MN PERMIT NO. 6391
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THE VOICE OF BLACK MINNESOTA SINCE 1934
February 12 - 18, 2026
Vol. 92
No. 28
Trump threats to MN cause widespread confusion
Phone: 612-827-4021 www.spokesman-recorder.com
Eviction crisis looms as ICE surge continues By Izzy Canizares Contributing Writer
ity, I no longer felt as safe going out, so I have been doing it significantly less as a result.” Housing insecurity has long mmigration and Cusbeen a challenge in Minnetoms Enforcement’s reapolis. In 2023, roughly 6,250 cent occupation in the people in the Twin Cities exTwin Cities has left the perienced homelessness on a community on edge after daily single night. Racial disparities violence on the streets and in housing remain among the the murder of two residents nation’s largest, with BIPOC in South Minneapolis this past residents making up just 47% month. Despite this, rent was of households in the region. still due for many this past week, and hundreds of resi“We do have clients who are dents will be unable to pay bestruggling to pay rent more cause many are unable to work. than normal. It is greater,” MeBorder Czar Tom Homan dia Director for Agate Housing announced that 700 fedand Services Virginia Brown said. Agate serves 6,000 residents a year. Other organizations, such as Touchstone Mental Health, which offers housing and residential services, have also Minnesota community organizations ramp up services as federal funding threats put food, witnessed the impact ICE has health care and child care programs at risk. had not only on the residents it serves but also on its staff. ing the funds while the legal dis- helped and met so many folks By Damenica Ellis “We constantly have calls doing some really incredible pute continues. Staff Writer looking for housing, especially Many organizations say work, neighbors who see a affordable housing. This has resident Donald while funding has not yet need and find a way to feed increased with the request for Trump said federal changed in the new month, 35 families a week. Integrated Community Sup“These aren’t organizations. payments to states the threats alone have caused ports (ICS) as some providThese aren’t people funded with sanctuary cities confusion. ers have been caught up in “Nobody but Minnesotans through any government enwould stop Feb. 1, and commuthe payment withholds from nity resources across Minnesota do mutual aid like Minneso- tity. These are just human DHS, and now case managers began preparing for the poten- tans do mutual aid,” said Sha- beings who care about other are looking for a new housing tial impact. However, a federal ron Abel, executive director of human beings.” ICE’s ongoing occupation prevents many from working and placement,” Touchstone CEO The community Groveland paying rent, prompting Minneapolis City Councilmembers to and Director Ellie Skelton said. judge temporarily blocked the Groveland Emergency Food administration from withhold- Shelf. “I have supported and ■ See RENT on page 5 ■ See FED on page 5 propose emergency rental assistance and eviction protections.
Sister Spokesman brings community together to address domestic violence By Damenica Ellis Staff Writer ister Spokesman’s February event “What’s Love Got to Do With It?” brought the community together for a panel discussion on domestic violence, raising awareness and helping attendees identify warning signs of abuse. Community members gathered at the Hallie Q. Brown Community Center, shared a meal, shopped from Blackowned business vendors, and participated in games and raffles. Throughout the afternoon, women laughed, reconnected with old friends, and met new ones. Each table was decorated with a white tree where guests hung notes describing what healthy relationships look like to them. Brown cards hung from the branches listing qualities such as honesty, loyalty, happiness and softspokenness. The panel featured three women: Artika Roller, executive director of Cornerstone Advocacy Services in Bloomington, who has more than 20 years of experience supporting victims and survivors of intimate partner violence, sex trafficking, and sexual violence; Kc Gammage, a licensed marriage and family thera-
Mac historian traces Trumpism’s roots to nation’s founding By Anya Armentrout Contributing Writer
have a delicate task to perform,” began historian and professor Dr. Gerald Horne. There is a balance, he explained, between his duty to the truth as a historian and his duty as a politically engaged person. The breadth of his lecture, titled “How Trump Happened: A View From History,” made that task no easier. More than 500 people filled the Alexander G. Hill Ballroom at Macalester College on the evening of Friday, Feb. 6, to hear Horne speak as part of the Mahmoud El-Kati Distinguished Lectureship in American Studies. El-Kati Community members gathered at the Hallie Q. Brown Commu- taught at Macalester College nity Center for Sister Spokesman’s February event “What’s Love and the University of MinGot to Do With It?” with a panel discussion on domestic violence, nesota, and his work led to healthy relationships, and healing. Emmanuel Duncan/MSR pist providing mental health services in school-based and outpatient settings, with more than 14 years of experience at the Harriet Tubman Center in Minneapolis as a domestic violence relief advocate and healing group facilitator; and April Bryant, who has more than 25 years of experience in social services, trauma-informed care, and the healing arts, and who shared her own journey as a domestic abuse
survivor. Bryant said learning how to love herself was essential to her healing. She shared that she attends therapy and encourages others to do the same. “I had to write down what my values are … I had to write down what brings me joy, and this is something we can all do,” she said. ■ See SISTER SPOKESMAN on page 5
eral agents would be leaving Minnesota. This news is little comfort to residents afraid to leave their homes, since more than 2,000 agents continue to conduct raids in their streets. “When ICE came into the cities I was shifting from a seasonal position into a permanent position at my job, but I had been doing Shipt delivery driving in the meantime,” Minneapolis resident Moss Winn said. Despite the need for extra hours of work, the constant ICE activity has prevented this. “When ICE ramped up activ-
the creation of Macalester’s nizers, identified El-Kati’s wisAmerican Studies department. dom and legacy as the impeWhile serving as a profes- tus for the high turnout. “He sor, El-Kati also spent hours invited this notion of bringing teaching high school students the ‘town and the gown’ toin North Minneapolis and gether,” McClure said. “That bringing education to church- is to say, bringing community es, community centers, living along with the campus ... “Folks in the academy know rooms and coffee shops across the Twin Cities. The annual a lot and contribute to our unlectureship reflects that same derstanding of the world, both mission, intentionally center- physical and social. There’s ing scholars whose work bridg- also truth in the community, es theory and practice. and when we can bring those The lecture’s attendees two elements together, I think ranged from college students we have a powerful learning and professors to neighbors moment.” and community members, as A traditional African drum well as leaders and elders band led by Christian Adeti within the Black community. opened the night, engaging Most Macalester lectures typ- the crowd in call-and-reically draw attendees from the sponse and dancing, including first category alone. music aligned with El-Kati’s Sedric McClure, Macales- “town and gown” philosophy. ter’s dean of multicultural life “Music is so important to and one of the event’s orga■ See LECTURE on page 5
Dr. Gerald Horne spoke to a packed audience in the Alexander G. Hill Ballroom at Macalester College on Feb. 6 as part of the Mahmoud El-Kati Distinguished Lectureship. Anya Armentrout/MSR