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While hundreds of businesses were closed on January 23 as part of a general strike in protest of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) actions in the Twin Cities, Amore Coffee wasn’t one of them. Their doors were open, and their employees were paid for their time, but they weren’t selling coffee. Instead, they facilitated community service projects, raised money to support community organizations, provided food and drinks for free to participants, held guided prayer and meditation sessions, and offered free massages.
Amore’s owner, Tara Wright, explained her thinking in a Facebook post announcing the event:
“Amore is not operational on January 23rd. We are proudly participating in the general strike. However, our neighbors need our help. I don’t know about any of you but I have been feeling a bit of helplessness. For those of you that know me, you know that I get stuff done. I don’t shy away from hard work and I face every challenge straight on.”
The Scene at Amore
The event lasted all day, and the shop was bustling for most of it. People tied fleece blankets, put whistles on lanyards, and made thank you cards for protestors, legal observers, and aid groups. Others made bead bracelets and other craft projects to use at protests. Wright circulated throughout the event, connecting with community members and making sure everyone stayed fed, greeting most people by name and taking the time to learn any names she didn’t know. Many families were in attendance, and young children made themselves at home, working on crafts and enjoying snacks. Wright set an initial goal of raising $7,000 to support community organizations, and they hit that goal by 1 p.m.
Each table buzzed with conversation. Much of it was focused on the projects at hand, or livestreams of the crowds in downtown Minneapolis, but this was also a time for neighbors to get to know each other. People chatted about the weather, sports, school, and family despite the weight of the situation, and the hugs, laughter, and connection were as much of a benefit as the concrete work and the money raised.
Amore re-opened for business as usual on Saturday, January 24.
Art as Resistance and Therapy
One of the several art projects at the event was organized by Winna Bernard, a local fiber artist who specializes in floral art. Bernard helped attendees create “flipping birds” which can be used at protests or simply as symbols of joy and resistance.
“I got tired of it,” Bernard said, “so I made a bird. Maybe two weeks ago.” After creating the first one, she showed it to her husband who asked her: “What are you gonna do? Flip ‘em the bird?” The joke gave a name to the project, and Bernard created 50 bird-making kits to bring to the event. In addition to using the kits to create birds, event attendees also created 50 more kits, which will be donated to Neighborhood House.
“You’re not going to take my spirit,” Bernard added. “If anything, I’m going to give it.
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