Exodus 13:21 “The LORD was going before them in a pillar of cloud by day to lead them on the way, and in a pillar of fire by night to give them light, that they might travel by day and by night.”
Our sacred text is filled with stories of people on journeys. People are often traveling from place to place and heart to heart because of the Call that God has placed on them. They do it in community and they do it with God.
Last night, an unprecedented event took place in the Minnesota’s House of Representatives. Faith leaders, law enforcement, legislators across the political spectrum, big and small business owners and families of all colors, countries and communities came together to say Minnesota is ready to honor the dignity and humanity of all people regardless of immigration status by restoring driver’s licenses for all.
This is a spectacular benchmark in a long journey we’ve been on with God. It’s not over, but glory to the Creator, that Minnesotans are moving forward together!
Qu’ran Reflection 43:13-14 “Glory to Him who has subjected these to us. But for Him we could never have accomplished this. To our Lord we shall return.”
All means of transportation, from the horse to airplanes, are blessings of Allah. If they were brought into being, it was entirely due to Allah having harnessed the potential of nature to human use. When one thinks of all these bounties showered upon us by Allah one spontaneously calls out: ‘O Allah, It is You who has subjected everything to us. It would not otherwise have been possible for us to make use of things as we have.’
One of Allah’s countless bounties is His provision of suitable conveyances. To meet different requirements, one has to travel from one place to another. But one cannot traverse long distances on foot. Allah has therefore come to our aid and made certain things subject to us in order that we may utilize them as transport. To deny people access to Allah’s gifts because of where they come from, is wrong. Glory to Allah for making a path where we can all benefit.
House Passes Driver’s Licenses for All!
Last night Driver’s Licenses for All Passed in the Minnesota House!!! Glory to God that bold leadership and human dignity for all Minnesotans were recognized!!!
For first time ever, MN House passed a bipartisan #Freedom2Drive bill! This was only because of all of us who have worked so hard for so long to get here – including those of the Freedom 2 Drive MN Coalition. This has been a decade long journey, and it’s not over. NOW we need everyone to call their Senator & demand that they pass driver’s license for all THIS YEAR: http://bit.ly/F2DSenate
Call or e-mail Speaker of the House Melissa Hortman and author of bill Majority Leader, Rep. Ryan Winkler to thank them for leading boldly on driver’s licenses and getting it passed by the House (Hortman: 651-296-4280, rep.melissa.hortman@house.mn and Winkler: 651-296-7026, rep.ryan.winkler@house.mn)
Also, reach out to your Senator and ask them to support driver’s licenses for all. You can find out who your Senator is and their contact information here: https://www.gis.leg.mn/iMaps/districts/
Sen. Senjem Announces Support for Freedom to Drive Legislation
Before a room of a 100 people of faith at First Unitarian Universalist Church in Rochester, Sen. Dave Senjem declared his new found support for a policy that would allow undocumented immigrants to obtain driver’s licenses.
ISAIAH leaders in the Rochester area organized and led this Claiming Our Voices in-district meeting with both Sen. Senjem and Rep. Duane Sauke attending. Participants gave moving testimony and asked their legislators to support driver’s licenses for all, paid family & medical leave, ISAIAH’s care agenda, and 100% clean energy.
Prophetic Action Needed: Send Sen. Senjem a thank you e-mail for his support for driver’s licenses for all.
Protect Local Democracy: Stop Corporate Interference
WHAT: Statewide Preemption Hearing
COMMITTEE: Jobs and Economic Growth Finance and Policy
WHEN: Monday, April 8, 1:00 PM
WHERE: 1150 Minnesota Senate Bldg.
Preemption is back. And it’s up to us to stop it.
Minnesota workers have organized in cities across the state for better working conditions and higher wages. We’ve passed Earned Sick and Safe Time, raised the minimum wage, and protected immigrants’ rights across Minnesota.
Statewide preemption is a corporate tool to undermine our local democracy and block policies like $15/hr wages and Earned Sick and Safe Time from taking effect. The Senate majority have incorporated a preemption bill into the Jobs omnibus, and this version would roll back any bill enacted after 1/1/18 (including St. Paul minimum wage and potentially Duluth ESST).
In a massive undertaking to make sure the voices of people of faith are heard by legislators during this year’s Legislative Session, ISAIAH leaders are taking legislators out of the Capitol and putting them in local congregations for in-district public meetings.
This initiative brings legislators to the people. It gives those who are unable to make it to the Capitol an opportunity to engage with their representatives about creating a caring economy where every Minnesotan family – no matter what they look like, where they come from, or how much money they have – can thrive; and, building a robust multi-racial democracy that recognizes the dignity of every person.
Leaders are on track toward organizing 50 “Claiming Our Voices” in-district gatherings, stretching from St. Cloud into Southern Minnesota.
We are unable to put all of them in this e-newsletter. You can check our website event page to find out if one is being held near you. Please note that because there are so many, the best way to find an event is to use the “mapbox” and click on a location flag near you.
Claiming Our Voices: In-District Meeting with Rep Dave Pinto and Senator Dick Cohen
Sunday, April 7; 1 pm – 2:30 pm
Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, 700 Snelling Ave S, Saint Paul
We are inviting members of our community to join us for a listening session with House Representative Dave Pinto and Senator Dick Cohen about our struggles, our shared values and our hopes to build a path toward a just and inclusive future for every Minnesotan starting with our leadership this legislative session.
