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Greetings Ward 4 Neighbors,
This has been a devastating time for our community. About a month ago, ICE agents picked up 8 of our Ward 4 neighbors, waived their right to a trial, and almost immediately deported them. Several of those individuals have spouses and children who are now left behind to grapple with their loved ones being torn from them due to misguided and heinous policies being implemented at the federal level. We are grateful to the several members of the Saint Paul Federation of Educators who have been coordinating to ensure these families are supported and getting what they need while they deal with both the emotional trauma and the financial stress from the loss of income. If you are able, I absolutely hope you’ll support these two families (Family 1 GoFundMe, Family 2 GoFundMe).
These neighbors deserved better and more fair treatment from these federal agencies. If you reside in our Ward or our community or anywhere in Minnesota, you should know we value you, we welcome you, and we are proud to stand alongside you. Not only do the vast majority of Minnesotans believe these neighbors should be allowed to stay in the US, we believe these neighbors deserve to become US citizens.
As part of our response, our office has also been communicating with our federal delegation, local law enforcement, our city attorney’s office, Ramsey County, and several relevant community groups to ensure every resource that might be available can be provided. If you’re curious what might be available, you can check the city’s Immigration Resources page.
One additional element of the ICE pickup event was the continuous presence of unmarked vans and vehicles nearby in the days and weeks leading up to this incident. That element took on added impact just days later when Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark were assassinated by a right-wing Christian extremist using a partially unmarked, fake law enforcement vehicle. I have personally confirmed with SPPD leadership that if you see an unmarked or suspicious vehicle like this, you should always call it in. They will not interfere with or prevent actual federal agents from carrying out an official pursuit, but they will be able to deter or detain anyone masquerading as a law enforcement officer.
In terms of the fallout from Melissa and Mark’s tragic assassination, I’m still somewhat in shock. I worked for and with Melissa for over a decade and have many people close to me who were even more closely connected. The loss of a leader like Melissa is heartbreaking and devastating not just for what she brought to our work as an individual, but for what she brought as a courageous example for us to aspire to. She was deeply rooted in her principles and operated with an admirable level of conviction. As Emilia González Avolos put it recently, Melissa knew this work was “a long, unglamorous labor toward justice.”
That is what I will remember and honor from my time working with Melissa. What do you stand for? What are you willing to fight for? How can we achieve that shared goal or outcome? The type of consistency and conviction needed to make even small progress (let alone the historic progress Melissa was able to shepherd us toward) is demanding – but it is also the only bar any of us can really work toward. I will always commit to clearly communicating my values and principles, doing the things day to day that help make those values a reality, and spreading the word about what we accomplished together so we can continue making progress together.
That and, as Melissa and Mark’s children suggest we do to honor them, I’ll continue to use our bike trails.
- Plant a tree
- Visit a local park and make use of their amenities, especially a bike trail.
- Pet a dog. A golden retriever is ideal, but any will do.
- Tell your loved ones a cheesy dad joke and laugh about it.
- Bake something — bread for Mark or a cake for Melissa, and share it with someone.
- Try a new hobby and enjoy learning something.
- Stand up for what you believe in, especially if that thing is justice and peace.
Keep fighting. Keep standing up for what you believe in. And somehow we will continue to get through this together.
- Matt
Matt Privratsky, Ward 4 Councilmember, ward4@ci.stpaul.mn.us
Jenne Nelson, Legislative Aide, jenne.nelson@ci.stpaul.mn.us
Kristin Koziol, Executive Assistant, kristin.koziol@ci.stpaul.mn.us
Keystone Community Services: Visit the Keystone Food Shelf at 1800 University Ave W. No appointment or advanced registration is required. Food shelf participants are served on a first come, first served basis during the hours listed below. Please call 651-917-3792 if you have any questions.
- Monday: 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. & 2:00 – 4:00 p.m.
- Tuesday: 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. & 2:00 – 4:00 p.m.
- Wednesday: closed in the morning, 4:00 – 7:00 p.m.
- Thursday: 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. & 2:00 – 4:00 p.m.
- Friday: 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. & 2:00 – 4:00 p.m.
SPPD Western District: Monthly community meetings are helf on the third Thursdays of the month at 9 AM and 6 PM at 389 Hamline Ave N.
Summer Activities with Parks and Rec: Sign up for yoga, cribbage, kickball, arts & crafts, martial arts, cooking classes, book clubs, sports clinics, video game tournaments, dancing, movie nights, and more! Browse and register for summer activities.
New Ramsey County Environmental Center: Now open at 1700 Kent Street, Roseville 55113 with the following hours:
- Tuesday - Fridays: 11:00 am – 6:00 pm
- Saturdays: 9:00 am – 4:00 pm
- Sunday and Monday - closed
Drop off household hazardous waste and electronics, household recycling and food scraps all in one place. There is also a re-use room where you can pick up free products like paint, cleaners, and more. They will also be hosting Fix-It Clinics and community workshops. Free for residents of Ramsey, Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Scott, and Washington counties. More information here.
Housing Rental/Emergency Assistance: If you need help paying help for rent, mortgage, utilities or car repairs, contact Ramsey County Emergency Assistance at (651) 266-4884.
Naloxone Training: Saint Paul – Ramsey County Public Health is offering free naloxone training for Ramsey County community organizations and partners. Public Health staff will come to your location for the training session. Each person that attends training will receive a naloxone kit. Register here.
Small Business Owners: Make sure you’re signed up for the Small Business Newsletter to get the latest updates and available resources right to your inbox.
Resources for Homebuyers and Homeowners: Explore Minnesota Housing's resources for first time homebuyers, refinancing tools, and remodel/repair resources here. Midwest Minnesota Community Development Corporation has additional resources and assistance for first-generation homebuyers here.
Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid: Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid recommends consulting with an experienced attorney before filling out the new federal immigration registry form. You can learn more about the registry here.
More legal assistance can be found at LawHelpMN.org.
Free Trees from Hamline Midway Coalition: Hamline-Midway residents can register here to get a free tree on their private property this fall.
Como Community Council's Ice Cream Social: Join neighbors on Friday, July 11 from 5:30-8:00 PM at the Como Streetcar Station (1224 Lexington Ave) for malts, music, and activities for the whole family!
Neighborhood Trash Pick Up (Sherburne & University): Join Hamline Midway Coalition on Saturday, July 12 from 9:30-11:30 AM for a community trash clean up. Gloves, trash bags, and a limited number of grabbers will be available. Register here.
Can't make the Saturday clean up? Join neighbors every Sunday from 10:30 AM-12:00 PM at Bethlehem in the Midway to keep the Snelling-Universty LRT area litter-free. Stay in the loop here.
Summer at Westgate Commons Park: Join Saint Anthony Park Community Council at Westgate Commons Park now through September for outdoor fun! Enjoy free games, creative play, hands-on park planting projects, and safe cycling activities for all ages! More information here.
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Como Park Farmers’ Market: This new market is located at 1545 Hamline Ave N, and is held every Thursday afternoon from 2:00 pm – 6:00 pm from May 15 – October 30, 2025. More information here.
Zion Community Commons Weekly Meals: ZCC hosts free weekly vegan community meals every Tuesday from 11:00 AM-8:00 PM and on Thursdays from 5:00-8:00 PM at 1697 Lafond Ave. Thursdays also include a free vegan Open Market. For more information or to preorder a meal, email Colin at eurekacompassveganfood@gmail.com.
Ward 4 Special Election Candidate Forum: League of Women Voters of Minnesota, Midway Chamber of Commerce, and Union Park District Council are hosting a candidate forum on Tuesday, July 22 from 7:00-8:30 PM at SPNN (550 Vandalia St. #170). More information here.
Pelham Boulevard Reconstruction Open House: Public Works staff will be hosting an informational session on Wednesday, July 23 from 4:30-6:00 PM at Desnoyer Park about the 2026 Pelham Boulevard Reconstruction Project. More information about the project and upcoming events can be found here.
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Hamlime Midway Coalition's 5th Annual Neighborhood Ice Cream Social: Come meet neighbors and enjoy a sweet treat on Thursday, July 31 from 6:00-8:00 PM at Hamline Park (corner of Snelling and Lafond Aves). Vegan and GF options available!
Benefit Concert for Newell Park: Hosted by the Saint Paul Parks Conservancy and Urban Growler Brewing Company, help raise funds to build a new playground at Newell Park! Wednesday, August 13 from 6:30-8:30 PM at Urban Growler (2325 Endicott St) with music from The Cellar Dwellers.
Mini-Forest Workshop: Join Friends of the Mississippi River, Urban Farm and Garden Alliance, Renewing the Countryside and the Pilgrim Baptist Church Community Garden for free upcoming workshops on Mini-Forests: How Planting a Pocket Forest Can Bring Nature to Your Community or School. The workshop for community members will be held on Thursday, August 14 from 5:30-7:30 PM. Register here.
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City of Saint Paul Committees, Boards, and Commissions
Residents have the opportunity to serve on over 30 boards and commissions in the City of Saint Paul. Committees cover a wide range of topics; from public safety, education, housing, economic development, and more. Having diverse representation helps helps us build a City that works for everyone.
Browse through the different committees, boards, and commissions here!
Ramsey County Advisory Boards and Committees
The Ramsey County Board of Commissioners has vacanicies on several of their advisory boards. More information and the application can be found here. The deadline to apply to many of the County committees is Sunday, July 13.
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