by Hayley Feland
As local Republicans celebrate President Donald Trump’s historic reelection to the White House on Nov. 5, Minnesota workplaces, schools, and local leaders have responded by creating safe spaces and mourning.
“We have been through a Trump presidency before and we made it through,” Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey said in a somber video posted to X. “We will make it through again.”
“We’re seeing much of the country embrace values that feel antithetical to our values here in Minneapolis. As a city, during this time of strife and even fear, we will stand strong,” he continued. “Our city is a refuge for trans people, a safe haven for reproductive rights, and a city that not only allows immigrants, we welcome them.”
Today, the world looks different than it did yesterday. But together, we will stand strong.
Minneapolis will remain a city of progress and a place of safety, stability, and care — no matter who is in the White House. pic.twitter.com/RwG6d8ASGb
— Mayor Jacob Frey (@MayorFrey) November 6, 2024
He expressed similar sentiments in an internal email obtained by Alpha News, calling the present moment a “complex and challenging time.”
The University of Minnesota announced that it would be holding “Post-Election Spaces” for faculty and staff hosted by the school’s Office for Equity and Diversity. Those spaces include a “What just happened?” seminar for faculty and instructors, along with a session titled “Teaching in Times of Crisis – Democracy Edition.”
“Join us for a series of gatherings designed to provide faculty, instructors, and staff with a space to connect and reflect after the election,” a website explains.
Not to be outdone, the University of Minnesota is hosting “Post-Election Spaces.”
Today, that included a “What just happened?” seminar for faculty and instructors.
Don’t worry, there’s still time to register for the “Teaching in Times of Crisis” class👇https://t.co/NdSQ9QzNhe pic.twitter.com/2jb9IUTjfT
— Liz Collin (@lizcollin) November 7, 2024
The university’s Multicultural Student Engagement office held two “Post Election Processing Space” events. Activities for students included “mindful art stations, aromatherapy, and kinship mandalas.”
“Talk with others, do mindfulness activities, play board games, color, have snacks, or just hang out,” said a post on the office’s Instagram page.
Additionally, Hennepin County’s chief public defender sent an all-staff email declaring Nov. 6 “a difficult day,” according to an email obtained by Alpha News reporter Liz Collin. Mike Berger said he was left “dumbfounded, anxious, and angry” after the election results.
Submitted:
After a Trump victory last night, Hennepin County’s chief public defender sent this all staff email declaring today “a difficult day.”
Mike Berger has been left “dumbfounded, anxious, and angry” after the election results. pic.twitter.com/G4Dx5vQenc
— Liz Collin (@lizcollin) November 6, 2024
“We have seen vile, hateful words and behaviors carried forward in victory. We have seen these words and behaviors aimed at our clients and colleagues,” he wrote.
Minneapolis Public Schools Superintendent Lisa Sayles-Adams said the district “must ensure that all students and staff are physically and emotionally safe” in the wake of Trump’s election, according to Crime Watch Minneapolis.
“As a diverse district, equity, representation and anti-racism are essential to the work that we do,” she wrote, according to the email obtained by Crime Watch.
Email reportedly sent out by Minneapolis Public Schools, post election. pic.twitter.com/UYTeVLNQcW
— CrimeWatchMpls (@CrimeWatchMpls) November 10, 2024
Education Minnesota, the state’s teachers union, blamed Trump for an increase in “bullying, harassment, and racism in our schools.”
“Unfortunately, our students and colleagues are already experiencing trauma and harm following the outcome of Tuesday’s election,” the union wrote, providing resources for “affinity spaces” and “election anxiety process groups.”
Education Minnesota, a teachers union, posted a message to their community blaming Trump for an “increase in bullying” and are providing safe spaces for members to vent their election anxiety and discuss “anti-immigration rhetoric”
Another ad for homeschooling pic.twitter.com/O1CNPmJGoA
— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) November 11, 2024
Meanwhile, a teacher at a high school in the Osseo school district was reported by a student for wearing a “VOTE” sweatshirt featuring a Black Lives Matter fist and rainbow flag prior to the election. In a statement to Alpha News, the district confirmed that it has “taken the issue seriously.”
Submitted:
A student reported a teacher at Maple Grove Senior High School for wearing this sweatshirt before Tuesday’s election.
In a statement to @AlphaNewsMN, the Osseo school district confirms that it has “taken the issue seriously.” pic.twitter.com/ZowmJhVkTG
— Liz Collin (@lizcollin) November 8, 2024
Trump will be inaugurated as the 47th president of the United States on Jan. 20, 2025, after defeating Vice President Kamala Harris in Tuesday’s election, which saw him sweep all seven swing states and win the popular vote as well. He will return to the White House with control of the U.S. Senate and likely the U.S House.
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Hayley Feland previously worked as a journalist with The Minnesota Sun, The Wisconsin Daily Star, and The College Fix. She is a Minnesota native with a passion for politics and journalism.
