How Minnesota musicians are responding in real time to federal shootings
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When Renee Macklin Good was killed by federal agents, Geoffrey Wilson was at work. He left early, went home, and sat down at his piano.
Across Minnesota, others were doing something similar in the hours and days that followed, trying to absorb what had happened through whatever tools they had.
“Art and music specifically can be both things; when we’re here to find joy in music, and also to look squarely in the face of what’s happening,” said Wilson, who is also known as Laamar.
Like many, Wilson initially knew very little of the situation, other than that a woman had been killed during an interaction with ICE.
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“When I'm having big thoughts, they sort of lead to having musical output, as sort of a cathartic process for me,” Wilson said.
Those thoughts became “Who was She to you?” a somber ode to Macklin Good that also asks pointedly if the ICE officer who shot her, Jonathan Ross, understands the weight of his actions. But at the time of writing, he still didn’t know Macklin Good’s full name or the name of the officer who had killed her.
“I had moments of wondering… how accurate are the lyrics going to be, or, sort of how, like, you know, relevant to the moment?” Wilson said.
He later performed the song while opening for Yam Haus on Jan. 10. It was Wilson’s way of reminding people they shouldn’t be completely distracted from what’s happening.
“Yes, we can be here enjoying good music, but we will not do that without acknowledging what's happening around the city right now.”
Moving from shock to community action
For musician Natalie Lovejoy, the response also came almost immediately.
She sat down and wrote “This Ground is Home” in about 12 minutes.
The next day, Lovejoy shared the song with family, as well as with clients at her day job as a hairstylist, who encouraged her to record and release the song.
She connected with others to produce a fuller version of the song. It’s upbeat and carries a hopeful message about unity, with lyrics including “We stand together, never alone” and “Spread the love, shatter the lies.”
“I'm grateful I have it… It’s here for everybody. It's here for our immigrant neighbors,” Lovejoy said.
Thinking of how she could have a further impact, Lovejoy decided to donate some of the proceeds to a mutual aid organization.
“I want to cover my expenses, but after that, I want to give back to the community,” Lovejoy said, admitting that she was initially unsure of how best to contribute.
She eventually turned to her more politically involved friend, who pointed her towards the Immigrant Defense Network.
“It’s been great because I’ve been learning about the immigrant defense network and, in turn, sharing it with all of my clients,” Lovejoy said.
A different kind of choir
Singer/songwriter Jeremy Messersmith sent out a message to a few group chats, asking if anyone would help him record a section of a new song.
Not long after, his phone was full of audio of people singing and at time screaming their frustrations.
The song is titled “F*** This.”
“There are people just, kind of, like just yelling by the end of the song… people are so stressed out and any chance that they have to sing it out a little bit, you would not believe,” Messersmith said.
Messersmith first shared the song on Instagram, a sardonic track aimed squarely at ICE. He later released the community-choir version on Bandcamp, with proceeds going to mutual-aid efforts.
“There are people in need, people in desperate need,” Messersmith said, acknowledging some immigrants who have gone into hiding or are afraid to go out in public during ICE’s increased presence.
But Messersmith is heartened by the action he has seen from his fellow Minnesotans in this moment.
“Seeing how Minnesotans have come together to help their neighbors has been maybe one of the most beautiful things that I've ever seen in my life,” a tearful Messersmith said.
MPR News spoke to these musicians before Alex Pretti was killed by a U.S. Border Patrol Agent in Minneapolis on Jan. 24.
In an email statement in response, Messersmith says he went to Blackhart bar that night.
He saw a sea of people with fluorescent vests hanging on their stools, which he assumed they wore while patrolling earlier in the day, and had come to the bar to commiserate and warm up.
“Everyone at the bar gave me a long look of recognition when I walked in,” Messersmith said, adding that they refused to let him pay for a drink.
“Because of the song.”
