Minnesota Prairie Roots

Writing and photography by Audrey Kletscher Helbling

This week in Faribault: The incarceration of Japanese Americans, immigrant portraits & a historical novel March 16, 2026

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IF YOU WERE TO COLLECTIVELY consider two upcoming events this week and one current art exhibit in Faribault, you would find a common theme. That would be humanity and how we treat one another.

Let’s start with “Enmity and Empathy: Japanese Americans During World War II,” a talk by Dr. Ka Wong, set for 6 p.m. Thursday, March 19, at the Rice County Historical Society in Faribault. Wong, a professor of Asian Studies at St. Olaf College in Northfield wrote a book by that name. I’m 25 pages into the book, which was published in May 2025 by the Minnesota Historical Society Press and is a finalist for the “Emilie Buchwald Award for Minnesota Nonfiction” Minnesota Book Award.

Award nominee or not, this book is assuredly a winner for the depth and volume of information Wong shares about imprisoned Japanese Americans, something unknown to many Americans. My knowledge is limited, so I’m looking forward to this presentation.

In promoting Wong’s talk this Thursday evening, the county historical society shared this in a media release:

Drawing on personal interviews, archival sources, and historical literature, Professor Ka Wong explores the courageous struggles of trailblazers who left the incarceration camps and rebuilt their lives in the North Star State. He will share stories of college students pursuing higher education, including the two colleges in Rice County, young men and women training at the Military Intelligence Service Language School at Camp Savage and then Fort Snelling, the US Cadet Nurse Corps serving in Rochester hospitals, and entrepreneurial families and individuals in the Twin Cities and beyond.

All of this, of course, makes me think of the recent massive federal immigration enforcement in Minnesota. In that operation, many were illegally detained by federal agents, flown out of the state and held without due process in detention camps, where they remain. Others were released, some deported. I expect Wong may address this during his presentation. He can definitely provide historic perspective.

NOTE: Reserve a spot at this talk by calling (507) 332-2121. Space is limited. Admittance is free for RCHS members and $5 for non-members.

Immigrant portraits line the hall connecting the library, left, to the community center. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted photo March 2026)

ART EXHIBIT FEATURES IMMIGRANT PORTRAITS

Immigrants are the focus of an exhibit currently showing in the hallway between the Faribault Community Center and Buckham Memorial Library. Faribault artist Kate Langlais shows 13 of her portraits from her “I Am Minnesota” project. These are first and second-generation immigrants.

Four months ago, Langlais’ immigrant portraits filled a spacious gallery at the Paradise Center for the Arts in Faribault. These are selected drawings from that show. She’s also previously shown her artwork in the same space where the 13 portraits now hang.

In my opinion, these portraits should be shared as often as possible in Faribault, which has not always been particularly welcoming to immigrants. I’m certainly not talking everyone, but too many people would rather our newest neighbors from Somalia, Mexico and other countries leave our city. I’ve heard that shouted while protesting ICE operations.

(Promo from the Books on Central Facebook page)

AN AUTHOR TALKS ABOUT THE GOSPEL OF SALOME

Finally, St. Olaf College professor and author Kaethe Schwehn will talk about her newest book, The Gospel of Salome, at 6 p.m. Wednesday, March 18, at Books on Central in Faribault. The historical novel set in Biblical times follows a mother who is navigating a complex world of gender and power imbalances during the First Century. Schwehn will read from her book and talk about some of its themes, examining ideology, motherhood and a poignant argument for love and equality in today’s world, according to pre-event information.

I expect good discussion will follow, as it always does at these free literary events at Books on Central.

There’s a lot to be learned in Faribault this week. I hope locals and others will embrace these three opportunities to grow their knowledge and broaden their perspectives.

© Copyright 2026 Audrey Kletscher Helbling

 

Authors for Minnesota Day raises $50K for nonprofits helping immigrants March 5, 2026

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The pre-event promo. (Graphic sourced online)

MINNESOTANS ARE KNOWN for their generosity. And once again they showed up big time to support those affected by federal immigration enforcement in our state.

During a February 28 Authors for Minnesota Day event held at 26 independent bookstores throughout our state, $50,249 was raised (with 22 stores reporting) for the Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota and for the Women’s Foundation of Minnesota Immigration Rapid Response Fund, according to co-organizer, writer Jess Lourey. That happened in just four hours.

Amazing.

I photographed this sandwich board outside Content Bookstore in mid-February. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted photo February 2026)

At Content Bookstore in nearby Northfield, around $3,000 was donated to the two organizations. I was among the donors and among the many Content shoppers who visited with Allen Eskens, a writer of thrillers and mysteries from St. Peter, and Mary Bleckwehl, a Northfield children’s book author.

I got a free copy of this book for donating to one of the selected nonprofits. (Book cover sourced online)

Nearly 60 writers participated statewide in Authors for Minnesota Day, giving of their time and also giving away selected books to those who gave to the two recipient nonprofits. I snagged a soft-cover copy of Bleckwehl’s Arrrgh! Me Hate to Wait! Eskens had already given away his supply of free books by the time I arrived in mid-afternoon.

This event was about more than helping two deserving nonprofits focused on helping immigrants in Minnesota. This was also about supporting independent bookstores and Minnesota writers. Content Bookstore buzzed with shoppers browsing shelves, buying books and even standing in line to chat with Eskens and Bleckwehl.

To see this level of interest and support was encouraging, but not surprising. Minnesota has repeatedly proven, in the past few months especially, that it cares about and looks out for its neighbors.

Lourey, co-organizer with author Kristi Belcamino, posted on Facebook: “I was in tears several times throughout the day seeing how many people in our community want to support small businesses and immigrant rights. Thank you to all the bookstores and authors who participated, and to everyone who showed up—we got to see the best of Minnesota today.”

© Copyright 2026 Audrey Kletscher Helbling

 

How you can help my southern Minnesota community of Faribault following Operation Metro Surge February 26, 2026

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A painting on burlap by Mexican artist Jose Maria de Servin from my art collection. It seems to fit the moment. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted file photo)

AS I GATHERED INFORMATION for this blog post, I wondered how to start. I’ll begin with one simple statement: The need is great here in Minnesota following the largest mass federal immigration enforcement in the country.

That’s a broad, undefined statement which I want to narrow down to specifics in my community of 25,000 in southeastern Minnesota, an hour south of Minneapolis. Faribault is a blue collar city, home to many people of color, including Somalis, Hispanics and Latinos, the demographic hit hardest by the months’ long Operation Metro Surge.

I can’t tell you how many people have been taken from my Greater Minnesota community by ICE. I can’t tell you how many people have been racially profiled, stopped and questioned. But residents of Faribault have been taken. And stopped, because of their skin color. I know this simply by being out and about, talking with people. This federal activity, which initially saw 3,000 immigration agents in the state, is not done, despite statements otherwise.

This shows a portion of a promo I received in the mail this week from the Community Action Center with locations in Faribault and in Northfield.

FACING FINANCIAL CHALLENGES

That brings me to the topic of today’s post. Need. And how you can help the many people in my community who now find themselves facing financial challenges due to ICE activity. Many have been sheltering in their homes, afraid to go to work or the grocery store or church. Afraid to take their kids to school…

The fear they’ve felt of being detained, even if they’ve done nothing wrong, even if they are here legally, even if they are American citizens, has been great. As a white woman, as a human being, I feel a moral obligation to do what I can for my neighbors who are suffering. Many people in Faribault have stepped up—taking kids to school, delivering groceries, driving people to work, donating food and money…

Some of you have asked me how you can help, and some of you have already helped. Please accept my heartfelt gratitude for your kindness, your care, your compassion, your support, your encouragement and your financial gifts.

Our Savior’s Lutheran Church has been a collection site for food and non-food items during the current crisis. (Graphic sourced from the Our Savior’s Facebook page)

FACING EVICTION

Monies for rental assistance seem to be the main need right now. Last week the Faribault City Council did not move forward with a request from the Faribault Community Action Center for $50,000 in emergency rental assistance. I won’t get into reasons behind that denial. It’s done.

The demand for funds to assist renters facing eviction is high. These are people who have not gone to work because they fear ICE. No work equals no income equals no money to pay the rent or other expenses.

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul in Faribault is among the organizations helping people in my community. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted photo February 2026)

HELPING PEOPLE IN FARIBAULT

I’ve compiled a short list of selected places to which you can donate monies that will help those impacted by federal immigration enforcement, and others, in Faribault. Please click on the boldfaced organization names to reach websites, where you will find donation tabs and more information. Thank you for considering my request to help people in my community. I am grateful.

Faribault Community Action Center. Donate to the CAC Community Response Fund which meets urgent and evolving needs such as for food and rent. Please designate your gift for the FARIBAULT CAC as one exists in neighboring Northfield. That town’s council approved a $50,000 request for emergency rental assistance.

Spreading Warmth: Supporting Immigrant Families in Faribault. This is a GoFundMe campaign aiming to raise $30,000 (a new goal) to help struggling immigrant families. Thus far, the effort has raised nearly $21,000. The organizer provides detailed info on needs and how families have already been helped.

Faribault Supporting Families. This group manages a small community-supported fund to help families facing urgent immigration-related challenges.

Three Rivers Community Action. This organization offers multi-faceted services, including in the area of housing, such as rental assistance.

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul. This faith-based nonprofit offers food, clothing, household and limited financial aid to qualifying individuals and families.

©Copyright 2026 Audrey Kletscher Helbling

 

Dispatches from the protest line in Faribault February 22, 2026

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Protesters line up along Minnesota State Highway 60 in Faribault two weeks ago. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted file photo February 2026)

WE PULLED INTO THE PARKING LOT shortly before 11 a.m. Saturday, grabbed our signs from the back of the van and headed to the sidewalk. There Randy and I joined others filtering in to protest by the Rice County government services building along busy Minnesota State Highway 60/Fourth Street in Faribault.

For six Saturday mornings now, people have gathered here to raise their voices against aggressive federal immigration enforcement in Minnesota and against many other policies and directives of the Trump administration negatively affecting our lives (and that of our neighbors) and/or threatening our country. Whatever concerns someone—democracy, Constitutional rights, due process, tariffs, the economy, voting rights, authoritarianism, immigration—those topics are covered in signage and/or in conversations.

Saturday morning we stood some 40 strong in 15-degree temps with a biting wind. That’s about half our usual number. Some of the regulars were missing, but I also saw many new faces.

Protesting against ICE two weeks ago. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted file photo February 2026)

ICE IS STILL HERE

Top on all of our minds remains Operation Metro Surge, the largest mass immigration enforcement effort in the country which saw 3,000 federal agents descend on Minnesota. That includes here in our community, home to many Latinos, Hispanics and Somalis.

Despite the announced drawdown of those agents, ICE activity in Faribault has not decreased since they started working here in early December, according to one protester I questioned on Saturday. He laughed when I inquired, a telling response. He’s a trustworthy source, a boots-on-the-ground individual who is active and informed.

Groceries and personal care items collected by a church in the south metro for those in need. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted file photo February 2026)

THE PERSONAL & FINANCIAL FALL-OUT

To hear stories of retired teachers giving kids rides to school is simultaneously heartening and heartbreaking. Parents should be driving their children to school or walking them to the bus stop. But, because of ICE, others are doing that while they are sheltered at home, afraid to leave, not working, not going to the grocery store.

Food shelves have sprung up in schools and in churches, supplementing already existing nonprofit food shelves. The need is great. I recently started volunteering at a local food shelf.

Families unable to pay rent now face eviction. The Faribault City Council last week denied a request from the Faribault Community Action Center for $50,000 in emergency rental assistance. In neighboring Northfield, the city council unanimously approved an identical request from the Northfield Community Action Center.

Faribault is a blue collar community that runs red. Northfield is white collar blue.

A sign held at a previous protest. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted file photo)

REACTIONS TO OUR PROTESTS

Whenever we protest, we are subjected to profanity, vulgarity and negative behavior from passing motorists among the overwhelmingly positive support. Based on my observations the four past Saturday mornings, the loudest and angriest are white women probably in their forties. I don’t understand the intensity of their angry outbursts. We just smile and wave, figuring we got to them with our messages.

Near the center of this frame, a protester carries a Rebel Loon sign. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted file photo February 2026)

THE STORIES

I like to mingle when I protest. It’s a great opportunity to meet new people, to hear stories. Like that of an elementary school student who returned to classes last week after a two-month absence. Or the first-time protester whose husband, an immigrant, has worked mostly remotely rather than drive to his job in Minneapolis. Or the man who crafted a Rebel Loon (the Minnesota state bird) sign and was protesting for someone who could not be there for fear of ICE.

These are real stories of real people in my community. I may not know the little girl who returned to school or the protester’s husband or the friend of the Rebel Loon guy. But I do know that I care about the people in my community who have lived in, and continue to live in, fear of federal immigration agents regardless of legal status. Residents of my community have been racially profiled, stopped, questioned because they are black or brown, have an accent, dress differently. I have talked to a Hispanic woman, an American citizen, who was stopped by ICE.

This is why I protest in the deep cold of a Minnesota winter, standing beside others with signs, Minnesota state flags and peace flags in a town of 25,000 where protesting exposes you to criticism. It matters to my profiled and targeted neighbors that I am publicly standing up for them. They’ve told me so. I cannot remain silent. We are stronger together. Minnesota Strong.

The winter boots I wear while protesting. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted file photo)

BREAD BAGS

We protesters brave the cold for those who cannot safely stand here. We wrap scarves around our necks, put on parkas, pull on long johns and ear flapper caps and wool socks and winter boots, sometimes adding foot and hand warmers. Several of us joked about returning next week with bread bags inside our boots for another layer of warmth, a throwback to our childhood days.

By then I’d been outside for an hour, my cheeks slapped red by the wind, my fingers and toes growing numb. But I was laughing, deep belly laughing, at the bread bag stories. It felt good to laugh with these protesters, to find comedic relief in the darkest of times.

© Copyright 2026 Audrey Kletscher Helbling

 

In communion at Valley Grove doughnut hole roasting February 16, 2026

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People gather on February 15 for a Doughnut Hole Roasting Party at Valley Grove. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted photo February 2026)

UNDER A SUNNY February sky, they gathered in communion around fire pits outside two historic Norwegian immigrant churches high atop a hill in eastern Rice County. Food, fellowship and a fondness for this place drew people here, to the fourth annual Doughnut Hole Roasting Party.

Walking up the muddy gravel driveway to the hilltop Valley Grove churches. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted photo February 2026)

For the first time, I attended this event, although I’ve been to the Valley Grove churches and the adjacent cemetery many times. I love this secluded spot near Nerstrand, where historic wood-frame and limestone churches rise above the surrounding countryside in an especially picturesque setting. There are prairie trails to hike here and an oak savanna. It’s peaceful here.

A group of bikers wheel up the hill to Valley Grove for the Doughnut Hole Roasting Party. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted photo February 2026)

On this balmy Sunday afternoon of unseasonably warm temps in the mid-fifties, sweatshirt or light jacket weather, conversations broke the quiet. The mood felt engaging, connective, of communion in community.

At the doughnut station, people could spear doughnuts, dip them in chocolate or cinnamon and sugar and/or drop a donation inside a replica church. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted photo February 2026)

Hosted by the Valley Grove Preservation Society Board, the roasting of doughnut holes was also an event to raise monies for ongoing preservation and restoration projects at the 1862 stone and 1894 wooden churches. Both churches are on the National Register of Historic Places.

Inside the stone church, once used for worship and today for gathering. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted photo February 2026)
Looking through a window of the stone church, I photographed people gathering on the lawn for the Doughnut Hole Roasting Party. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted photo February 2026)

Even with no personal connection to these churches or the Norwegian heritage, I understand the historical importance of these immigrant churches. Step inside either church and you can almost feel the strength of those early Norwegians who crossed the ocean, started a new life in Minnesota, built first the now 164-year-old stone church and then the 132-year-old wood-frame church.

The beautiful wooden church, where the steeple was recently-restored and the bell was rung at the Doughnut Hole Roasting Party. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted photo February 2026)

The stone church serves today primarily as a social gathering spot. The wooden church still hosts the occasional service—a wedding, a funeral and the annual Christmas Eve worship. Other celebrations like Syttende Mai, a wedding anniversary reunion and a country social are also held annually at Valley Grove.

Roasting doughnut holes. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted photo February 2026)
A group roasts doughnut holes. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted photo February 2026)
People stuck the metal roasting sticks in a bucket of snow when they were done roasting their doughnut holes. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted photo February 2026)

But on this day, we focused on doughnut holes forked onto metal roasting sticks and held over an open flame. Some roasted their treats to coal black, to caramelize the doughnuts I was told. Not fond of charred anything, I preferred mine heated then dipped in chocolate. They were sweet and tasty and messy. I found a shadowed patch of remnant snow to “wash” my sticky fingers.

Mary and her dog in the Valley Grove Cemetery. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted photo February 2026)

Although I knew only one person here, I made a new friend, Mary, who sat with her dog on a stone memorial bench in the cemetery, sunshine beaming warmth upon them. Others meandered through the graveyard where early Norwegian immigrants, their descendants and others lie buried beneath the cold earth.

With the historic limestone church as a backdrop, people visit and roast doughnut holes. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted photo February 2026)

On the dormant lawn between the two churches, people clustered—standing, sitting in lawn chairs, bending, reaching over flames to roast doughnut holes on a Sunday afternoon in mid-February in southern Minnesota.

© Copyright 2026 Audrey Kletscher Helbling

 

“Evening Prayer for Our Nation” planned at Bishop Whipple’s church in Faribault February 2, 2026

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(Promo courtesy of the Cathedral of Our Merciful Saviour)

FIFTY MILES FROM THE NON-DESCRIPT Bishop Henry Whipple Federal Building currently housing ICE detainees in Minneapolis, a beautiful, aged cathedral rises high in the heart of Faribault. Wednesday evening, February 4, that magnificent, massive cathedral—Bishop Whipple’s church—will center a community gathering.

The historic Cathedral of Our Merciful Saviour, 515 Second Avenue Northwest, across from Central Park in Faribault. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted file photo November 2025)

Beginning at 7 p.m. the historic Cathedral of Our Merciful Saviour will open its doors for “Evening Prayer for Our Nation” in support of Faribault’s refugees and immigrants. The Cathedral’s pastor, the Rev. James Zotalis, and the Rev. Henry Doyle will lead the event, which includes prayers, readings, music and teachings from Bishop Whipple.

Organizers also promise networking opportunities and information about ways to help others.

A mural on the back side of the Central Park bandshell in Faribault features a portrait and information about Bishop Henry Whipple. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted file photo)

Bishop Whipple, who shepherded this congregation while serving as the first Episcopal bishop of Minnesota beginning in 1859, would surely be pleased with the upcoming gathering just as he would surely be displeased with the imprisonment of detainees at the federal building bearing his name. He would likely be standing alongside protesters protesting immigration enforcement and asking to visit detainees inside.

This clergyman focused his ministry on “justice and mercy for all.” And that is evidenced in his ministry to the Dakota both in Faribault and parts west in Minnesota and then at Fort Snelling. Whipple went to the fort and ministered to the Dakota held captive there following the U.S.-Dakota War of 1862.

When 303 Dakota were sentenced to hanging after the war, Whipple traveled to Washington DC to ask President Abraham Lincoln to spare their lives. Lincoln pardoned most, but 38 were still hung in the nation’s largest mass execution.

Encouraging words posted near a garden in the heart of downtown Faribault many years ago. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted file photo)

If Bishop Whipple was alive today, I expect he would be doing everything in his power to help anyone threatened and/or taken by ICE and CBC. But because he is not here, it is up to us to help. I know many people in my community are helping quietly behind the scenes. Walking kids to bus stops. Giving co-workers rides. Delivering groceries. Donating money and food. Volunteering.

Wednesday evening’s “Evening Prayer for Our Nation” is needed, too. It’s needed to bring people together in community, to unite, to uplift, to pray, to share, to recharge, to publicly support our neighbors, to find tangible ways to help. Bishop Whipple would feel grateful. He cared. And so should we.

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FYI: Whether you live near or far, Faribault nonprofits are in need of donations to help families sheltering in place during ICE operations in Minnesota. This is not just a Twin Cities metro enforcement. Many communities in greater Minnesota, including mine, are suffering.

Please consider helping immigrants and refugees in my community via a monetary donation to the Community Action Center in Faribault (Community Response Fund) or to St. Vincent de Paul. The need for rental assistance, especially, is growing.

© Copyright 2026 Audrey Kletscher Helbling

 

Walking in silent solidarity during a candlelight vigil in Faribault January 25, 2026

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I join others for a candlelight vigil in downtown Faribault on Saturday evening. (Photo by and courtesy of Chloe Kucera, Faribault Daily News)

WE MARCHED IN SOLIDARITY, in community, in collective grief Saturday evening through downtown Faribault. No signs. Only candles, flames flickering, lights shining in subzero temps as vapor billowed from our faces.

An estimated 100 of us walked eight blocks in reverent silence, only the sound of boots crunching on snow and the occasional passing vehicle breaking the quiet.

Bundled up against the frigid cold, we left our warm homes to gather and honor 37-year-old Alex Pretti, an ICU nurse shot to death Saturday morning by ICE agents on the streets of south Minneapolis, less than an hour’s drive north on Interstate 35. It is the second fatal shooting of a Minneapolis resident, a Minnesotan and an American citizen by federal agents in recent weeks.

Faribault resident Martha Brown hastily organized the candlelight vigil via social media, calling for people to walk in silence on our city streets “to mourn together and peacefully pray for the (federal) occupation to end.” I knew I needed to be there, to join Martha and others who felt overwhelmed, yet determined to raise their voices via silence.

FOR OURSELVES & OUR NEIGHBORS

We did this not only for ourselves individually and collectively, but also for the Hispanics, Latinos and Somalis who call Faribault home and who have been targeted by ICE. Our neighbors are living in fear, sheltering in their homes as ICE continues to threaten, take and traumatize right here in my community and across the state.

As the march began in the parking lot outside Buckham Memorial Library, a Hispanic family waited along the curb. I motioned for them to join us and they did as the father filmed the walk for those whom he said could not be there. Those who cannot leave their homes for fear of ICE.

His daughter, about 8 years old, walked ahead of me, her bare hands clutching a slender battery-lit candle someone had given her. I felt so proud of this little girl while simultaneously thinking, she should not have to be here doing this. What a strong, brave family.

REFLECTING IN SILENCE

Walking in silence gave me time to reflect, process my emotions and observe. I passed Mexican and Somali-owned shops, restaurants and a bakery, all told about a dozen in our core downtown business district. I considered how they contribute to our economy, our tax base, our diversity, filling buildings that may otherwise stand vacant.

But I passed, too, a large GUNS sign on the pawnshop, the significance of that singular word not lost on me in the context of the day’s shooting.

Four blocks into the march, I felt strengthened by simply being among caring people of all ages united in purpose and grief. That young girl and her family. A woman in a wheelchair who was wheeled across snowy curb cuts. All of us there, connected by this moment in time in Minnesota.

GRATITUDE FOR COMMUNITY SUPPORT

When the half hour vigil walk ended back in the library parking lot, we stood in a moment of silence, then prayer before the Hispanic man stepped up and thanked us for coming, explaining how much it meant to him to see and feel our support.

Back home I got a text from family in south Minneapolis to “Shine a Light for Minnesota” by placing a lit candle outside at 7 pm. And so Randy set the tea light candles we had just carried through downtown Faribault on our front steps, flames flickering for our communities, for Alex, with the flaming message of ICE OUT NOW.

© Copyright 2026 Audrey Kletscher Helbling

 

Bishop Henry Whipple, the man behind the federal building bearing his name January 16, 2026

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A mural on the bandshell at Faribault’s Central Park honors Bishop Henry Whipple. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted file photo)

I EXPECT BISHOP HENRY WHIPPLE may be turning over in his grave under the altar inside the Cathedral of Our Merciful Saviour in Faribault. He would be appalled by what’s happening in this community with ICE enforcement. And he would also likely be standing side-by-side with protesters outside the Bishop Henry Whipple Federal Building at Fort Snelling protesting ICE’s presence in Minnesota. The federal agents are based inside the building named after him.

Whipple was all about compassion and embracing others, especially as a friend to the Dakota in Minnesota following his arrival here in 1860 and throughout his ministry. He would not be fine with ICE violently, or non-violently, taking people from their vehicles, their homes, clinics, outside schools and churches, inside businesses…and illegally detaining them without due process. That includes those here legally and American citizens imprisoned inside the building bearing Whipple’s honorable name.

I am not OK with this. None of us should be.

HOW BISHOP WHIPPLE MIGHT REACT

As Minnesota continues to deal with the presence of 3,000 ICE agents in our state, I think of the Episcopalian bishop, known as “Straight Tongue” for his honesty, and how he would react. He would assuredly be on the streets advocating for human rights. He would be talking with the current president, just like he did in 1862 with President Abraham Lincoln. Whipple traveled to DC then to personally plead for the lives of 303 Dakota sentenced to death by hanging.

Whipple would probably also be out buying groceries for Faribault residents afraid to leave their homes. He would be walking kids to their bus stops in trailer parks. He would be preaching peace, love and compassion.

HONORING WHIPPLE’S LEGACY

Those who disliked Whipple, and the Dakota, disparagingly tagged the clergyman as “The Sympathizer.” Little has changed. There are far too many in my community who hate, and, yes, that’s a strong word, anyone whose skin color is other than white. I don’t understand. They all, unless they are Native American, can trace their presence in America back to immigrants.

If only Bishop Henry Whipple was still alive to spread love in Faribault and beyond. It’s up to us to honor his legacy by loving and helping our neighbors during these especially dark days of injustice and oppression.

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FYI: To learn more about the bishop, I direct you (click here) to a previous blog post I wrote about him and his role in Minnesota history following a 2023 presentation at the Rice County Historical Society.

© Copyright 2026 Audrey Kletscher Helbling

 

“Words to Meet the Moment,” an event January 15, 2026

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(Image sourced online from Content Bookstore, Northfield, Minnesota)

RENEE GOOD, fatally shot by an ICE agent in south Minneapolis on January 7, was an award-winning poet. That is fact. The federal government has flooded Minnesota with thousands of ICE agents. That, too, is fact.

So it seems fitting that “Words to Meet the Moment—A Poetry Event Against Fascism” is set for 2 pm Sunday, January 18, at The Grand Event Center in Northfield. More than 20 poets have already signed up to read their poetry, or that written by others, at this public gathering.

According to organizers (Content Bookstore, The Grand and Northfield area poets), the event is intended to bring the community together in response to recent ICE presence in Northfield and in response to the killing of Renee Good.

There is power in poetry, in the written and spoken word. The arts in general—whether literary, visual or performing—have long been a way to meet the moment. In 2021, for example, the Ramsey County Library published This Was 2020: Minnesotans Write About Pandemics and Social Justice in a Historic Year. That collection of short prose and poetry addressed the COVID-19 pandemic, the justice for George Floyd movement and the overall political climate in our country in 2020. My poem, “Funeral During a Pandemic” was selected for publication in the collection.

While I won’t be available to participate in Sunday’s “Words to Meet the Moment” poetry reading in Northfield, I will be there in spirit. And if I am so inspired, I will work on a poem to submit. That’s an option for those who can’t attend or who don’t want to read.

“Words to Meet the Moment” is about more than just words, though. Event planners are also accepting donations for Northfield Supporting Neighbors, a grassroots organization founded to help meet the needs of local immigrants, especially for legal services.

This marks a moment in time when we can use our words, our hands, our financial resources to make a difference. Or we can do nothing. I choose meeting the moment with strength, courage, hope, action and words.

© Copyright 2026 Audrey Kletscher Helbling

 

Protesting in Faribault January 11, 2026

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Me with my new friend, Bashir, a U.S. citizen who now carries his passport with him at all times. Bashir works as a family and community engagement specialist in the Faribault Public Schools. (Copyrighted photo by & courtesy of Chloe Kucera, Faribault Daily News)

SATURDAY AFTERNOON, as a raw northwest wind swept down Minnesota State Highway 60, I stood side-by-side with others at a busy intersection in the heart of downtown Faribault. I stood in solidarity over concerns about ICE enforcement locally, across the state and country. I stood in solidarity over concerns about the fatal shooting of Renee Good by an ICE agent in Minneapolis on January 7. I stood in solidarity over concerns for our democracy. And I stood in love and support of my neighbors.

Neighbors like Bashir, a long-time Faribault resident whom I met shortly after arriving at the gathering to the sound of bagpipes. My interaction with him nearly broke me emotionally after Bashir reached inside his jacket and pulled out his passport. “I carry this with me everywhere now,” he said. It’s one thing to hear and read about this in media reports. It’s quite another to meet a U.S. citizen “forced” to carry his passport by a president who has publicly stated he wants Somalis out of the country.

My humanity, my compassion, my heart and soul and spirit call upon me to support individuals like my new friend, Bashir, in this moment. My humanity also calls upon me to support the Latino and Hispanic communities who comprised the majority of the 25 or so of us gathered during the quickly-organized protest on Saturday.

Organizer Sonia mingled among us, protesting, passing out hot chocolate and later distributing educational information about Constitutional rights, alerting others to ICE’s presence and more.

The second protest sign I made and which my husband carried. Many at the rally held similar signs. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted photo January 2026)

ICE IN FARIBAULT

In conversations, I learned that ICE has been especially active in Faribault recently. I’d heard this previously from multiple sources. Protester Travis, who works in the school system, confirmed this, noting that student attendance is down. He watched for ICE vehicles during the rally and had every right to be worried given ICE activity along Lyndale Avenue in Faribault earlier Saturday. That resulted in multiple 911 calls, including one from a caller claiming they were “about to get shot,” according to a media release from Faribault Police Chief John Sherwin. Officers responded to ensure public safety. ICE was there. But no shooting occurred.

We are a state and community on edge following the killing of Renee Good. We are a state and community under incredible stress as the federal government relentlessly targets Minnesota and the people who call this state home. It is unfathomable to think that those of skin tones other than white must fear they will be taken by masked agents. It was not lost on me that I am (at least for now) exempt because I am white.

Another new friend, a young Hispanic woman named Christina, shared how ICE agents are patrolling the Cannon River Mobile Home Park, home to many Hispanics and Latinos. Residents are afraid to leave their homes for fear of being taken by ICE. Doesn’t matter if you are here legally or not.

Protesters line the sidewalk at the intersection of Central Avenue and highway 60. I am hugging Bashir in this image. (Copyrighted photo by & courtesy of Chloe Kucera, Faribault Daily News)

OVERWHELMINGLY POSITIVE SUPPORT

As I stood with Bashir, Sonia, Travis, Christina, Hannah, a high school senior and a mix of multi-aged Latinos, Hispanics and white people like me, I felt empowered. Our numbers may have been small. But for a last-minute protest and the first in Faribault, turn-out was encouraging.

Even more encouraging was the overwhelmingly positive response we got from passing motorists in honks, friendly waves, thumbs up and more to counter the few middle fingers, thumbs down and venomous words spewed by one especially angry young female driver. How anyone can hold such hate toward immigrants is beyond my understanding.

I felt only love in the presence of my new friends. Many thanked me for coming. I hugged several, offered words of encouragement. Words matter. And so do actions. A Somali couple arrived to distribute hot tea. I’d been protesting for 1 ½ hours and felt chilled to the bone by the estimated zero-degree windchill. That offering of Somali tea warmed my body and my heart. As I reached for a cup of the hot beverage, I was overcome by emotion. The message I carried—“I LOVE my immigrant neighbors”—reflected back on me as I, too, felt loved in that moment.

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© Copyright 2026 Audrey Kletscher Helbling