Our Community Showed Up: Here’s How Much We Raised for Minnesota

Two weeks ago, after an ICE agent shot and killed Renée Good and chaos unfolded on the grounds of Roosevelt High School in Minneapolis, we asked you to help raise awareness and funds for schools in Minnesota. On January 16th, 10% of site proceeds went toward funding public school classrooms in the Minneapolis area.

Because of you, on that day, we raised close to $5,000. To meet as many needs as we could in Minneapolis, we donated an additional $10,000 directly to support school efforts. The students at Augsburg Fairview Academy now have consistent and reliable access to Chromebooks in their classrooms; elementary school students at Lucy Craft Laney School now have more flexible seating options to help them stay engaged and calm while learning; and the students at Las Estrellas Dual Language Elementary School have new playground equipment. These are just a few of the schools impacted by this donation.

An Update On Our January 27th Donation

Following the death of Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old intensive care nurse who was shot and killed by an ICE agent on January 24th, we decided to donate 100% of site proceeds on January 27th to support Minnesotans affected by ICE operations.

You all showed up for Minneapolis again. Thanks to you, we raised $139,600. We added an additional $400 to bring our total to $140,000.

We donated $70,000 to MN Together, a mutual-aid fund providing resources directly to families impacted by immigration enforcement actions, and $70,000 to Immigrant Law Center Minnesota, an organization that provides legal support for immigrants, asylum seekers, and their families. This brings our yearly total donation amount to $155,000 so far.

We are overwhelmed with gratitude for how this community showed up. And while we are proud of this, the work doesn’t stop here.

Our Next Steps

Education is core to Dieux, because the only way to empower ourselves is through knowledge and curiosity. 

Because teachers experience the brunt of bad policy changes, we are committing to $10,000 monthly donations to different schools across the country, by way of our partnership with DonorsChoose. Right now, Minneapolis needs our support, but there are schools in every state that are chronically underfunded.

How You Can Help Support

If you want to join us and donate directly to teachers and others impacted by ICE, here are some organizations we support:

• DonorsChoose: Helps teachers directly by funding classroom supplies and student needs.

• Minnesota Freedom Fund: Works to end wealth-based detention and build community power across Minnesota.

• Immigrant Defense Project: Protects and expands the rights of immigrants, with a focus on the intersection of the criminal and immigration systems.

• National Immigration Project: A membership organization of attorneys, advocates, and community members committed to dignity and justice for all people.

• ACLU: The OG org fighting to protect civil liberties and constitutional rights.

Another way you can make a difference? Reach out to your representatives and share helpful resources around your community.

• 5 Calls: They make it easy to call your representatives and provide customizable scripts.

• National Immigration Law Center: Helpful resources if you or a loved one is impacted by ICE.

• Immigrant Legal Resource Center: Incredible resources, training exercises, and print outs for you and your community.

Community care is self-care, and we stand in solidarity with Minnesotans and with every immigrant who has come to this country in search of a better life.

As always, you’re Dieux-ing great.