St. Paul’s popular Black Dog Cafe regularly hosts resistance groups formed in response to President Donald Trump’s 2016 election for political events.
A collection of groups calling themselves “The MNLeg Coalition” meet once a month for a “Third Thursdays” event that provides the “progressive-values loving community” a chance to “come together, socialize, strategize, learn, and recharge to continue the good fight for justice and equality in Minnesota.” The coalition says that it is “made up of political resistance groups that started after the 2016 election.”
According to the group’s website, at least four of these gatherings have taken place at Black Dog Cafe, including a February 21 event on “climate policy in Minnesota.”
“Climate policy in Minnesota is having a moment—and not a moment too soon. Come hear from a range of experts and activists on the statewide movement to save our climate. Learn more about what’s at stake, what’s next, and what we can do locally to stop the damage being done to our climate,” a mailer for Thursday’s event states.
Speakers included activists from the 100 Percent Campaign, a group seeking 100 percent renewable energy in Minnesota, as well as MN350, whose representative spoke on resisting the Enbridge Line 3 Pipeline.
“Many thanks to the Black Dog Cafe for hosting us once again,” the email for Thursday’s event says. Topics for past “Third Thursdays” included “standing with immigrants and refugees,” “the fight for equal pay,” “Roe unrealized,” and taking “back the Minnesota House” for the Democrats. While the “Third Thursdays” event has taken place at other venues, such as Pryes Brewing Company, the most popular meeting space seems to be the Black Dog Cafe.”
“We will focus on how to act local to effect change on big issues—providing education on legislative activity, training to be an advocate and give opportunities to take action along with a healthy dose of fun and community building,” an event description for “Third Thursdays” states.
The MNLeg Coalition, sponsor of “Third Thursdays,” is made up of several far-left activism groups, including chapters of “Indivisible,” a national movement “brought together by a practical guide to resist the Trump agenda,” the Twin Cities National Organization of Women, Women’s March Minnesota, Action Together Twin Cities, and others.
Most recently, some of these organizations participated in a statewide protest against President Trump’s national emergency declaration, as The Minnesota Sun reported.
“We’re mobilizing rapid-response events on President’s Day against Trump’s fake crisis and racist deportation force and to stand with immigrant, Muslim, and black and brown communities to stop Trump’s dangerous and illegal power grab,” a protest description said.
Others have participated in protesting the controversial Enbridge Line 3 Pipeline, and successfully pressured Gov. Tim Walz (D-MN) to refile an appeal against the project.
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Anthony Gockowski is managing editor of Battleground State News and The Minnesota Sun. Follow Anthony on Twitter. Email tips to [email protected].
Photo “Black Dog Cafe” by Black Dog Cafe.
