Last weekend, I met fellow Zen Peacemakers- Roshi Eve Marko, Mary O’Connor, Ken Daigu Hillman, and Rinzai teacher Cristina Moon in Minneapolis, and we joined hundreds of Buddhists, clergy, activists, and thousands of Minnesotans, and joined activities in response to the two month long invasion and occupation of their city, dubbed Operation Metro Surge. We were very graciously and generously hosted by Ben Connelly and his sangha at the Minnesota Zen Center.
The first night, we ate dinner together, a block away from where Alex Pretti was killed two weeks earlier. As we arrived, members of a Neighborhood Watch group surrounded an unidentified black SUV parked across the street and checked its license plates to ensure the occupants weren’t ICE agents. The hyper awareness and vigilance of the people we met was a testament to the horror and grief they’ve been subjected to, as about four thousand of their friends and neighbors have been detained; often violently, often in spite of their immigration status. These people have seen the killing of two people trying to stop those abductions, and the shooting of a man resisting detention. They’ve watched as their neighborhoods have been overrun by young, heavily armed, and belligerent men, driving around too fast in big black SUVs, running stop signs, and acting like they own the place. They’re angry and anxious; understandably so.
The first morning, as we made our way to the Whipple Center to stand with Indigenous people in peaceful and prayerful witness as they served a symbolic eviction notice to Immigration and Customs Enforcement, we met Rogelio, waving a big Mexican flag. As we spoke, he stopped each time a car went by, and screamed, at the top of his lungs, ‘F**k ICE!’ and then returned to our conversation. He pointed to the big buildings fifty yards away, visible through concrete barriers and concertina wire, and said he came here everyday for the people being held- so they would know they were not alone, not forgotten. We said a quick prayer for them together.
The gathering was powerful and beautiful- we prayed, sang, and danced in the cold morning air. As we dispersed, we came to a more contentious gathering where protesters breached a barrier and blocked a roadway where convicted (and inexplicably pardoned) January 6th white supremacist, Jake Lang, had passed by in a box truck, blaring ‘Ice, ice baby’. We moved slowly away, and sadly missed the ensuing throwing of dildos which resulted in fifty or so arrests.
That afternoon we joined hundreds of people at Powderhorn Park, for a memorial ceremony for Renee Good, killed four weeks earlier, and for her family. Arvol Looking Horse led the ceremony, and we prayed, with tobacco offerings, for peace and healing.
Leaving the park, we made our way to the Spring House Ministry Center in the Lyndale United Church of Christ, where our host, Ben, met regularly with other clergy, as March- (multi-faith, anti-racist, change, and healing), to organize and strategize, and create community. There were big bins of whistles, goggles, gas masks, and first aid kits for those participating in resistance. We sat warming up in the lobby, as Tibetan families came in smiling and greeting us, on their way to a rehearsal for a Losar (Tibetan New Year) ceremony in gratitude to the church, which allowed them to gather together.
The next morning, I walked to Saint Paul-San Pablo Lutheran Church, and stood vigil so the congregants could gather and worship together in peace and tranquility. I joined a sweet, tough, and rambunctious cadre from Sequeerity- a de-escalation team, owned and operated by queer, and poc womxn, whose goal is to create and maintain safe spaces for everyone, especially for the LGBTQIA+ community. As we stood outside in the cold, we spoke about what was going on, and they scoped every car or pedestrian that went by. They warmly greeted, and were greeted by, all of the congregants- the smiles and hugs a touching testimony to the community they have and are building together.
In the afternoon, we joined seven hundred people and some Handmaids, in a silent walk for peace, led by local Buddhist sanghas. We walked from Powderhorn Park, through the ‘Say Their Names’ Cemetery, and past the makeshift memorial where Renee Good was killed, before returning to the park, where we sang together before I grabbed a ride from Daigu, back to the airport.
Our trip left me feeling sad and hopeful. Sad, that so much turmoil and heartbreak has been unleashed on a city, and all the people in that city, by our government. Hopeful, that they have been so resilient and have worked together, in beautiful and goofy ways, across difference, to create and protect community. We all need to learn that from them.
The news headlines yesterday announced the end of Operation Metro Surge. Imagine that, they did it! Part of me is really letting myself feel that and really celebrate that. And, I know that this work of creating the beloved community, where no one is excluded continues, day after day, moment after moment, and breath after breath. After Metro Surge, after ICE, after Trump, and after all the things that you find horrific, how will we learn to come together, accept one another across our differences, and love and respect one another, even if we don’t like each other? That’s the work, please vow with me- let’s get busy!
In love and joy-
Engu



