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Two Minnesota honorees are among 14 organizations and individuals being presented a Pay-It-Forward award by the national initiative the Courage Project. The awards will be presented Friday during a ceremony at the Washington National Cathedral in Washington, D.C. The awards coincide with the nation’s 250th anniversary.

Ivan Olson, an immigration activist from Pelican Rapids and the nonprofit organization Singing Resistance, are being recognized by The Courage Project “for bravely stepping up to support their community and demonstrating what the work of a more perfect union actually looks like.”

According to the Courage Project, Singing Resistance is rooted in traditions of protest music and nonviolent resistance. It started as a small group in Minneapolis amid the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement surge seen throughout the state this winter.

In a statement, Singing Resistance said they are humbled to be selected for the award.

“We responded alongside our neighbors, using song as our tool for resistance,” the statement read. “Song allows us to harness our collective fear, grief, hope, and anger, and allows us to be more courageous as we resist fascism.” 

The grassroots organization said the award will allow it to add voices to a larger movement “to defeat authoritarianism and transform our culture.” 

Since its inception Singing Resistance has expanded nationally.

When ICE came to town, this rural Minnesotan quit his job to help immigrants

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Some Pelican Rapids residents want their mayor to do more about ICE. He says it's not his job

Ivan Olson, who is a member of the Pelican Rapids Area Resisters, 

quit his job to help immigrants in Pelican Rapids during the ICE surge

. Along with others in the group, Olson began delivering meals to immigrants too scared to leave their homes and helping them with money, clothing and transportation. 

Olson said he’s grateful to be recognized for the award.

“It's an honor. For those who don't put themselves out there very often, work like this doesn't come with extra credit in their minds,” he said. “But it obviously has made a difference to those in this area and beyond."

The Courage Project said the Pelican Rapids community was strengthened through Olson’s work. And he empowered residents to take action, bringing “greater visibility to the impact of enforcement in rural areas often overlooked in national conversations.” 

"Being an example is the key to success. And do it as humbly as you can, I feel like there's a binding quality to that type of leadership,” Olson said. “You can't measure it, but over time it creates the unity that you actually want to see in the moment."

Although recipients are not eligible to receive a grant directly, the Pay-It-Forward award allows honorees to recommend a nonprofit in their community to receive one. Olson said he plans to donate the $25,000 award to the Pelican Rapids Multicultural Committee. 

To learn more about The Courage Project, visit its 

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Mathew Holding Eagle III

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Pelican Rapids immigration activist Ivan Olson and the grassroots nonprofit Singing Resistance are being given a national award by The Courage Project this week in Washington, D.C.

A man stands for a portrait outside, a river is seen in the background.

Mathew Holding Eagle III | MPR News

Hennepin County sheriff’s deputies stand

Kerem Yücel | MPR News

A sign reads "Welcome to Pelican Rapids."

Two Minnesota honorees to receive Pay-It-Forward award in Washington, D.C.

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