Prior to last week I had definitely 'protested' before, I've marched in DC for Peace, I showed up to say Black Lives Matter and to occupy for the Fourth Precinct, bringing water and donuts to those able to dedicate more time. I've organized street theater in protest at BP's World HQ in Edmonton in response to the 2010 oil spill. On vacation in Scotland I even joined in to walk alongside Midwives who were being forcibly removed from the work force. I have been an activist for years, but this is different. 

Monday night, I attended a fundraiser / campaign kick off and donated a measly amount of money. Tuesday, I testified at a MN legislature Public Safety committee hearing. All it took was a phone call and for me to show up. I went to a Minnesota State Board of Trustees Meeting. I attended a MCPA conference on the topics of inclusion and how educational faculty can support student activists. I spoke out against naysayers online and did my best to educate those who sincerely wanted to grow understanding. I had every intention of attending a documentary viewing and panel but ended up going home to work on homework. Because as much as I want this post to motivate you to be active we all have to remember that , we can do anything but we can't do everything. Self Care is Health Care! If you don't end up doing everything on your calendar that means you truly were reaching and that is beautiful. 

I write this without the intention of tooting my own horn, but don't be mistaken, I am not above that because I work hard and passionately.. so toot toot. The intention of this post is to invite you along with me on this march, we all need to keep marching. There are so many ways to get involved. Google your passion, read local newspapers, go to any and all meetings, ask a friend what they are engaged with, find something you care about and fight for it. 

 - Activists, DFLers push back against bill to hold protesters liable for costs

- HF 322 Minnesota State Leg
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- ​Oil Pipeline Spills 53,000 Gallons on First Nations Land

HF 322 just passed. There were zero testimonies given during the hearing this morning in favor of this bill. An enormous turn out in opposition was energized and present, but not listened to by the people elected to listen. The committee voted on party lines and DID NOT represent the public's opinion. In practice this bill will be virtually impossible to execute. This bill will never be upheld in court. Tax payer's money is now going to be "wasted" on this fight instead of used to uphold our constitutional right to express dissent through civil disobedience. 

As one man pointed out during his testimony this morning, the committee met on Reverend Doctor Martin Luther King Drive - a street named after a man who was arrested numerous times in the name of the civil disobedience that is the bed rock of the CIVIL RIGHTS movement that separates our society from the backwards. 

I was terrified, I've only spoken in front of a group larger than the one in the room this morning one other time in my life. I did it though. I did not take the advice of a co-worker and added a rap element to my testimony but I took a deep breath and flew through my testimony which reads... ​

"Good morning, thank you for having me. My name is Katherine Price and I'm here as an independent citizen. 

The wording of this bill and its intent is meant to punish citizens for coming together to raise their voice, or discontent. 

This feels like a scare tactic, this proposed bill feel like the government trying to limit our freedom of assembly. 

"Business as usual" is not more important than  citizens being free to assemble in whatever way they see strategic to their plight.
HF322 is a dangerous idea that would lead to the sort of similiar bill that Indiana has proposed and I do not support it."

Thank you to all of the other citizens that came out and testified this morning with me! It was an exhilarating experience and our sacrifice of time and effort was not in vain. We may not have received the immediate outcome we wanted but DO NOT let this be your last trip to the Capitol, do not stop working to resist!

READ UP :
http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/bills/billnum.asp?Billnumber=HF322&ls_year=90&session_year=2017&session_number=0

https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/text.php?number=HF0322&version=latest&session=90&session_number=0&session_year=2017

DISCLAIMER ABOUT THE ACTIONS OF THE CROWD THIS MORNING. I was appalled by the lack of respect for the committee this morning. The laughing and applauding and disrespect was astounding. Please act according to your surroundings in a government building. To make change in a place like the STATE OFFICE BUILDING this you need to act like you belong there.