In this blog:
- March 7: Pray for Minnesota: A Gathering for Unity and Peace as the murder trial of George Floyd begins
- March 8: Global Day of Prayer, George Floyd Square
- March 10: Art at the Capitol
- March 11: Rise by the River to Stop Line 3
- March 11 and April 8: Antisemitism and White Supremacy
- March 16: Righting Wrongs, Repairing Our Communities
Pray for Minnesota: A Gathering for Unity and Peace
March 7, 3:00 p.m. at Minneapolis Government Center Plaza
As the trials of the former police officers accused in George Floyd’s death begin, our nation — and especially the Twin Cities — will again be confronted with the trauma of racism, police brutality, and white supremacy.
“We are calling all church leaders across Minnesota and the nation to dedicate Sunday, March 7 to preaching and praying for unity in our worship services and then gathering together at 3 p.m. that day for a joint prayer service,” the Pray for Minnesota website says. The event is sponsored by Transform Minnesota, Minnesota Council of Churches, and other congregations,
Global Day of Prayer, George Floyd Square
Monday, March 8, all day, George Floyd Square at 38th and Chicago.
Join supporters of George Floyd Square on Monday, March 8, the first day of the trial of four officers accused of murdering George Floyd. Events will start at 8 a.m. Bells will ring for one minute, followed by eight minutes, 46 seconds of silence, the length of time then-officer Chauvin had his knee on Floyd’s neck.
Solidarity is sought worldwide. Ring church bells, play the Shofar, or do whatever is fitting for your tradition.
At noon there will be a prayer service centering Black Men. A Candlelight Vigil will start at 7 p.m. Prayers from afar will be read and shown.
Art at the Capitol
Wednesday, March 10, 5:00 – 6:30 p.m., online
Do the art and monuments at the State Capitol reflect you as a Minnesotan? Is the diversity of our community represented? Who makes decisions about what artwork and monuments are memorialized in the Capitol?
St.Paul’s West Side Community Organization is hosting the “Art at the Capitol” event to explore these questions.
Now’s your chance to share your thoughts about the monuments, memorials, and art work at the State Capitol with the Capitol Area Architectural & Planning Board. Join us next Wednesday for a presentation and conversation facilitated by Maria Isa Peréz-Hedges, a Boricua singer, songwriter, actress, rapper, activist, youth worker and international recording artist born in Minnesota and raised right here on the West Side!
Details on the event link will be added here soon! Keep checking WSCO’s Facebook Page.
Questions? Email Genevieve at genevieve@wsco.org
Rise by the River to Stop Line 3
Thursday, March 11, 3p.m. Scenic Overlook at 615 Mississippi River Blvd S., St. Paul.
As soon as the spring melt comes to the rivers of northern Minnesota, Enbridge is poised to drill their Line 3 pipeline under the headwaters of the Mississippi. This pipeline is a climate disaster, a threat to the drinking water we all depend on, and a direct violation of the treaty rights of the Anishinaabe people. President Biden can stop Line 3. We need to make clear to this administration what leading on climate means — building a world where water is sacred, treaties with Native nations are respected, and where rural communities have access to safe and sustainable jobs.
We will rally at 3 p.m. to sing and pray to Stop Line 3. We will then march along the river and across the Ford Parkway bridge to deepen our connection to the water and our kin along the river up north and to make our presence felt. This event is family-friendly and will be held entirely in park space and along pedestrian walkways. We will also be livestreaming on Facebook for those who are unable to be present in person.
We are bringing this movement to scale and it will take all of us to make it possible. Please share with your community.
Indigenous Water Protectors and allies are putting their bodies on the line up north to disrupt construction. Let’s show them that they are not alone. With water about to flow, we need people and communities of faith and spiritual practice to come together NOW.
Masks and social distancing are expected of all attendees. Bring art and signs. Wear warm clothes and rain boots for whatever weather that March in Minnesota will throw at us.
Questions? Contact Minnesota Interfaith Power and Light organizer Joe Meinholz at joe@mnipl.org.
Antisemitism and White Supremacy
March 11, April 8, 6:00 – 7:30 p.m., online
Antisemitism is an essential piece of the machinery that perpetuates white supremacy, class hierarchies and other forms of oppression. That’s why Jewish Community Action is holding trainings on how to combat antisemitism and white nationalism. These sessions are free, and open to members and allies. Register here. (via Minnesota Multifaith Network)
Righting Wrongs, Repairing Our Communities
Tuesday, March 16, 2021, 7:00 – 8:30p.m. online
Dr. Curtiss DeYoung, CEO of the Minnesota Council of Churches (MCC) will lead participants in an interactive conversation to explore urgent questions around how faith communities can engage in the important work of repair and reconciliation. The MCC is currently launching a 10-year community focused efforts centering on truth telling, education and repair with Indigenous and African American communities.
This event is hosted by the Pilgrim Center for Reconciliation. This is part of a series call Living Reconciliation Evening.
Please RSVP to info@pilgrimcenter.org
healingmnstories.wordpress.com 
In our MN Poor People’s Campaign, it’s been pointed out to us to be careful how we place George Floyd’s name in relation to the trial; so in your heading “…the murder trial of George Floyd…” even though we all know the what the heading is referring to, we should say rather “…the murder trial of Derek Chauvin…”
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Carol, great point. I’ve caught a couple of those but missed it in the headline. Thanks for pointing it out.
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Fixed.
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