We know what happened Saturday in Minnesota has many of you reeling. Us too.
As we were putting the final touches on our signs and donning our favorite political shirts, we learned that a Trump-voting, anti-abortion rights zealot fatally shot former Speaker of the Minnesota House Melissa Hortman and her husband, and wounded a Minnesota state senator and his wife.
The gunman had a list of targets—all Democrats, as well as abortion rights advocates—that included US Sen. Tina Smith.
We wanted to make sure our Electing Women Alliance community knows that while we’re carrying many emotions today, the biggest one we are carrying is resolve. We will not let political violence throw us off our mission.
To that end, we wanted to share a couple items from the Democracy Security Project, an organization “launched in 2024 to give organizations, leaders and advocates a hub and support them.”
Here is what spoke to us specifically as an organization focused on building community:
- Reach out to your circle. Share your feelings with trusted friends, family, or other groups when you are ready. This can help ease isolation. Supporting others can help with your own healing.
- Engage in positive action, memorials, and movements. Advocate, volunteer, or peacefully protest. Purpose and connection can be helpful as you process trauma and grief.
Please get in touch with us or go to the DSP website if you would like more information or resources on dealing with instances of political violence.
Again, we cannot let political violence deter us from our mission to fund and elect more Democratic women like Rep. Hortman.