Ashley Fairbanks Raises $20 Million for Minnesota Through Stand with Minnesota Initiative
From her home in San Antonio, Ashley Fairbanks watched as federal immigration authorities conducted raids in her hometown of Minneapolis, sparking a wave of community response. Determined to act, the 39-year-old writer, artist, and digital strategist started a simple Google Doc to compile resources for residents. This effort quickly evolved into the launch of Stand with Minnesota, a website that has since garnered over 2.4 million hits and helped raise almost $20 million for affected Minnesotans.
Immediate Impact and Community Support
Fairbanks noted that people were eager to help from the outset. The site has facilitated various forms of aid, including coordinating flights using donated frequent flyer miles for individuals returning to Minneapolis after detention in Texas. For instance, it assisted in reuniting families, such as a case where a mother abducted by ICE was flown home the next day to care for her underage children.
As national attention has waned, Stand with Minnesota has shifted focus to covering families' rent. Donations are being matched by a Minnesota grant-making foundation, enabling residents who have been sheltering in place and unable to work during the ICE siege to remain in their homes. The site also features a giving directory with opportunities for mutual aid, such as laundry services, grocery drop-offs, and tow assistance for cars abandoned after ICE interactions.
Minneapolis's Unique Organizing History
Fairbanks attributes part of the success to Minneapolis's rich history of community-building, dating back to events like the truck strikes of 1934 and co-op movements. Growing up in the West Bank area, now home to a significant Somali community, she experienced a neighborhood with a strong collectivist ethos. This background, combined with recent events like the police killings of George Floyd, Jamar Clark, and Philando Castile, has fostered a culture of reflexive organizing in the city.
She emphasized that while other cities like Los Angeles and Chicago have similar mutual aid efforts, Minneapolis stands out due to its ingrained community spirit. "We have a different idea of what's possible," Fairbanks said, highlighting how residents quickly mobilize to support each other in times of crisis.
Replicating the Model in Other Communities
Fairbanks believes this work is highly replicable and encourages others to start similar initiatives. She suggests using tools like Linktree to create basic resource pages and has offered to help duplicate her website for other cities. "Anyone could start with something like this," she stated, urging people to build helper reflexes in their communities before emergencies strike.
She noted that while not many have reached out yet, it's crucial to prepare in advance. "Start talking to your neighbors, start figuring out where the mutual aid funds are in your community," Fairbanks advised. She stressed that interconnected communities are more resilient and better equipped to handle crises, whether from immigration enforcement, climate disasters, or other challenges.
Looking Ahead and Broader Implications
Fairbanks hopes to inspire a shift away from reliance on traditional systems like police or established charities. "The answer is actually just helping each other, knowing each other, depending on each other," she concluded. As Stand with Minnesota continues to support families with rent and other needs, Fairbanks remains committed to fostering mutual aid networks that empower communities nationwide.
