Olson’s Cheers & Jeers: Jacob Frey stands firm under siege

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This can’t be said clearly or loudly enough. The Minneapolis mayor has maintained his resolve, heart and eloquence at an unfathomable time for the state’s most consequential city. It’s hard to envision anyone leading better through this perilous, painful stretch. Frey’s had no reprieve these past weeks, which have been off the charts in terms of difficulty. He’s risen to every moment, advocating for and trying to protect the city both in the national spotlight and at home. He’s essentially become a wartime mayor and is handling the difficulty with extraordinary moral clarity and purpose. He’s been a rock.

Remember when the ignominious detention facility was an unremarkable backdrop to the tangle of roads en route to the airport or over the rivers? No more. Now it’s a permanent symbol of a dark time. There are the execrable conditions inside Whipple Federal Building for detainees and the lack of outside access or oversight. The Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office has opened an investigation into violent arrests of protesters. Whipple stands as a sad monument to our darkest, most divisive days.

The small downtown of Madelia, Minn., is thriving a decade after a destructive fire in the city outside of Mankato. Perhaps Madelia can be a symbol of resurgence for hard-hit Twin Cities businesses, especially those suffering on the Lake and Eat Street corridors in Minneapolis and the immigrant corridors of St. Paul. “You can look at the end result now, 10 years later and realize that we are stronger as a result of the fire,” said Ryan Visher, a firefighter and business owner. “And I think it’s because of the way the community rallied together.” That’s a hopeful spirit, the possibility of a renewed commitment to each other and the community after a catastrophe.

Yes, this is the second consecutive week he’s landed in this space. Am I picking on him? No. I’m calling attention to the absolute travesty and tragedy of his so-called leadership of what was until recently a widely respected and apolitical office. In the past week, another eight lawyers departed the office, on top of six prior resignations, because of the politically motivated directives coming down from the U.S. Department of Justice. Among the recently departed is Ana Voss, the civil division chief, who had handled hundreds of wrongful detention petitions. Six months ago, this office was a noted bulwark against corruption and political overreach. Not anymore.

He’s a welcome addition to the nonpartisan Hennepin County attorney’s race. Folk, a former federal prosecutor, should prove to be a strong candidate as evidenced by his thoughtful campaign launch and videos. “We are seeing daily reminders of the importance of experienced, principled legal leadership in Minnesota,“ Folk said in one. ”From standing up to unlawful federal immigration tactics to prosecuting complex criminal cases, Hennepin County deserves leadership they can trust to prioritize fairness, accountability and public safety.” Isn’t that the truth? Folk’s a political novice, but he’s a respected lawyer who is worth a listen.

The retired world-class runners and former Minnesota high school rivals are sticking up for Minnesotans targeted by immigration enforcement. Tollefson still lives in the Twin Cities with her family and has posted photos from a protest. Goucher lives in Colorado, but she’s been supportive of Tollefson as well as sharp and defiant in her social media commentary — no surprise to anyone who read her memoir. The tenacity, grit and kindness of these women has always been impressive, but never more so than now.

Canada’s global sensation of a show is attempting to co-opt Minnesota’s state bird, the common loon. During lead character Ilya Rozanov’s visit to paramour Shane Hollander’s lakeside cottage, the Russian hockey player is spooked by the sound of the “stupid Canadian wolf bird.” I guess Canada has loons, too. But in all seriousness, the bird’s flying high. Remember that proposed state flag featuring the laser loon that prompted limited-edition St. Paul public library cards? They were a harbinger of the loon’s ascendance to avatar of the current resistance and resurgence. Jeers to all of us who slept on the mighty loon. Long may it howl.