1. United States
2. Neb.
3. Letter

I request that you to use every available legislative and oversight tool to oppose the potential invocation of the Insurrection Act of 1807 in Minnesota. While the Insurrection Act has historically been used to protect the constitutional rights of marginalized citizens - most notably during the Civil Rights Movement - its proposed use today to suppress protests against federal enforcement represents a dangerous subversion of that legacy. The Insurrection Act was an essential tool for justice when used by Presidents Eisenhower, Kennedy, and Johnson. In those instances, it was invoked to enforce civil rights. In these cases, federal intervention was a shield for the vulnerable. Using the act today to quell domestic protests in Minneapolis would turn this "shield" into a deadly weapon of suppression. Instead of protecting civil rights, it would be used to bypass state sovereignty and silence the voices calling for accountability. Minnesota has its own robust systems of governance and law enforcement. Invoking the Insurrection Act without the request of Gov. Walz and against the expressed wishes of local leaders is an overreach that violates the Tenth Amendment and the principle of state sovereignty. I am confident that you’d vehemently oppose a similar any action against Nebraskans. The current unrest in Minneapolis is a civil matter rooted in a desire for justice and safety. Deploying active-duty military to "put an end to the travesty" (as stated by the executive) treats Minnesotans - fellow U.S. citizens - as enemy combatants. I request that you publicly denounce any use of the Insurrection Act in Minnesota and support legislative reforms to narrow this 19th-century law. It should never be used as a tool of political intimidation and violence.