This Entry Will Be Entirely Too Personal

I need an oil change and a haircut, but I am almost out of money. I have not been paid by my job since December, though I am technically still employed. They say I have been on an unpaid medical leave, but according to Minnesota’s Paid Leave Law, I should be being paid 55-90% of my wages. I am on leave because I requested an accommodation for a disability in October, an accommodation which was originally denied, then offered an unfair accommodation or the choice to try to seek unemployment. While doing on site work, I reported several instances of sexual harassment and racist remarks, specifically against the Somali communities we service. Shortly thereafter, my approved accommodation expired, and they put me on unpaid medical leave until further notice, and I would later learn that they are collaborating with ICE.  

I need another job.  

Not only have they been violating my rights as a worker and patient, but they are collaborating with ICE. I have a right to remain silent and not collaborate with ICE. I do not have to allow them entry into my neighborhoods.  

I think about this as thousands of ICE agents are spreading across the metro area and greater Minnesota and our governor and Lieutenant Governor are calling upon us to stand together as one community against this threat, and the call could not be more loud.