Not the fucking helicopters again

Say it’s not so!

But, yes. The helicopters are back in my part of Minneapolis again.

I saw one hovering overhead this morning, near where I transfer buses on my way to work. I knew it must be ICE related. Its noise sent me to those surreal nights after the police murdered George Floyd, right near where I stood, when the air smelled of burning car parts…

Not this again, I thought. I took this photo —and (below) circled the helicopter as I sat on the bus— around 11 AM.

But it is indeed “this” again.

 I’m not sure exactly what time ICE shot and killed Renee Good—may eternal light shine upon ❤️ her—but it was right around then, and only six blocks from where I was waiting for the bus.

I feel bad, but numb, weighted with sadness and dread. It’s as if I’m under a lead blanket, the heavy X-ray shield they used to drape on you at the dentist, pushing you down into the chair.

I’m proud of my mayor, Frey, a man whose courage has not been on display in the recent years.  An indie sticker posted on poles at election time this November had called him a weasel.

But Frey has risen to the occasion. At a news conference, he told ICE…

"Get the fuck out of Minneapolis. 
We do not want you here. 
Your stated reason for being in this city is to create some kind of safety and you're doing exactly the opposite."

______

My workplace was shaken, but Big Boss said and did nothing. Nothing. I don’t understand him. 

Mr Furniture came in from the delivery truck.
"It's civil war," he said. "And they asked why I'm an angry Black man."

"I love you," I said. "Be careful out there."
He gave me a hug.

There’s a vigil tonight—right now, in fact. I’m not going, though I’m glad of it and proud of my fellow Minneapolitans.

I want to gather strength internally, not around others. 
How best to Stay, and be beautiful?

Thank you, those of you who’ve reached out. 
We’re in this together, all of us alive at this time on Earth, but there is a very strange shock wave when the streets where you walk ripple and turn into Apocalypse Now.