West Side Community Organization is a community-based nonprofit that has served as the Saint Paul’s West Side (District 3) for over 50 years. We work alongside our residents to build collective power, advance justice, and ensure racial equity for all people in our community.
During these challenging times in our community, our city, and our state, it is more important than ever that we stay united, support one another, and protect our neighbors.
This morning, we received a report of a suspicious vehicle at El Burrito. Our team immediately arrived on site to ensure the safety of our community and to observe for any potential activity. Upon arrival, we identified two SUVs with tinted windows. After monitoring the situation, we confirmed that the individuals inside were simply having lunch. No enforcement activity took place.
We denounce the presence of all entities targeting immigrants and the current administration’s efforts to attack and criminalize communities of color. What we are witnessing is a system that punishes civilians not for wrongdoing – but for trying to work, raise families, and contribute to their communities. These efforts are not protecting anyone. They are destabilizing neighborhoods, tearing families apart, and spreading fear. It is a coordinated strategy to keep our communities from feeling safe, powerful, or connected. But our strength comes from standing together. Our strength comes from refusing to let these tactics divide us.
We want to encourage our community to continue observing carefully, verifying information, and getting trained so we can keep one another safe — while also avoiding unnecessary alarms. If you see any suspicious activity on the West Side (ZIP code 55107), call or text 612-946-8940. Let us always lead with the spirit of the Hummingbird: protecting our community with clarity, courage, and care.
WSCO calls on all neighborhood organizations and fellow District Councils: get organized. Build networks now. Mutual defense begins at the local level. If it can happen to one of our communities, it can happen to any community.
To our West Side community, we recommend the following:
↳ Stay connected to us for our Hummingbird Initiative meetings, trainings, and resources. Sign up for our newsletter to be the first to know of any upcoming activities, or reach out to [email protected].
↳ Connect with the Minnesota Immigrant Rights Action Committee (MIRAC). Follow them on social media. Sign up for their emails. Attend their trainings, so you’re prepared to safely respond to activity in your neighborhood.
We invite this to be our community mantra:
We refuse to be intimidated.
We refuse to let our neighbors be taken in silence.
We refuse to let fear define who we are.
We protect each other.
We look out for each other.
We will show up – again, and again, and again. Because when we say all our families matter, we mean it.
Sincerely,
The WSCO Team.