In Minnesota, we all believe in caring for our communities, families, and loved ones. We all want our neighbors to be safe and valued. And in Minneapolis, we’re having conversations across the city about the future of our public safety systems – because we know that right now, they’re broken.
At TakeAction Minnesota, one powerful way we’ve been having these conversations is through deep canvassing. Deep canvassing helps us connect through empathy, care, and curiosity, and allows us to have meaningful conversations about what makes us feel safe, and what we want to see in our future. It’s estimated to be 102 times more effective than traditional outreach methods.
We deserve better than the systems that are failing us. That’s the reason we’re showing out to deep canvass events, and the reason our neighbors are answering their doors and phones to have meaningful conversations.
At the doorknock I attended last weekend, not everybody I spoke to knew about the Yes 4 Minneapolis campaign – but they all agreed that change is needed. I was nervous to go out on the doors, but it felt important to listen deeply to my neighbors – and I quickly became less nervous, because I didn’t have to do it alone. I was knocking with more than a dozen of my community members, united in the conviction that it’s time for change.
On Tuesday, over 25 community members continued the conversation and came together at our People’s Movement Assembly. We talked about the changes we’re ready to see, and grounded ourselves by reflecting on the things that make us feel truly safe, like relationships with our neighbors, stable housing, and appropriate emergency responses.
What makes you feel safe? Send me an email and let me know; I’d love to hear from you.
From our deep canvass conversations to our People’s Movement Assemblies, it’s been clear that people have lots of questions – and that they’re eager to talk about them with their communities and find solutions that work for and include all of us.
Join us for a deep canvassing event and help continue these necessary conversations! Register for a doorknocking shift on Saturdays or Sundays, or a phonebanking shift on Wednesdays or Sundays.
I’m so excited about the possibilities that come with Yes 4 Minneapolis. I’m excited to create a system of public safety that has resources to support all of our needs holistically, and with care. But most of all, I’m excited that the process to create the new department is going to include all of us – and tools like deep canvassing are allowing us to connect, listen with compassion, and share our visions for a better future.
