Trauma. Violence. Terror.

For the past several weeks in Minneapolis, these words describe the experiences of many of our people simply venturing to go to school, work, shop, eat, move freely, love and care for neighbors–to live our lives. Since masked, armed, emboldened federal agents unaccountable to the rule of law have descended onto the cities, suburbs, and small towns of this state, daily life is upended.

Solidarity. Resistance. Community.

Rather than succumb to fear and division, the people of Minnesota have embodied courage and interconnectedness. Tens of thousands of neighbors are exercising the first amendment right to document abuses and bear witness, frequently paying with their bodies, liberties, and even lives. The arrests of Nekima Levy Armstrong and Georgia Fort and killings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti and are among countless cases of intimidation and brutalization of our neighbors. Instead of retreating, each week more people find their roles and double down on their commitments: patrolling schools and neighborhoods, supporting neighbors, creating beauty, building power in our streets, and keeping each other safe.

Unprecedented?

“Unprecedented.” This is a word that’s often used by media to describe the moment we’re inhabiting. In some aspects, what we are experiencing is truly without precedent. Yet in the bigger picture, much of what we are seeing is nothing new at all.

As Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Nikole Hannah-Jones (2020) notes in The 1619 Project, “true democracy has been attempted in this country only since 1965, when after a bloody and deadly decades-long Black freedom struggle, Congress passed the Voting Rights Act”. This Black History month, we remember that the struggle in the United States between tyranny and multiracial democracy, fascism and liberation, is as old as the nation itself. And the reality for many of our fellow human beings across the globe is that ongoing oppression and unspeakable horror are met every day with acts of resistance, humanity, and beauty. We need look no farther than MIHS co-owner Said Isayed’s homeland of Palestine to see that.

Life Under Occupation

MN Integrative Health Studio is but one small community clinic on a quiet corner in Northeast Minneapolis. What do these big events have to do with us, and our work in 2026?

Well, just about everything.

I asked our MN Integrative Health Studio team to share their thoughts and experiences of living through this moment in Minnesota.

Minnesota, and the Twin Cities particularly, are being referred to as “occupied” by federal forces. MIHS owner Said Isayed knows occupation: Said grew up in Al-Khalil (Hebron) on the occupied West Bank of Palestine. When I asked him how accurate the term “occupation” is to describe Minnesota right now, he said “very accurate.”

Said describes occupation as the following:

“Restriction of normal life, not living normal life like everyone else, to not be able to drive your car without being asked where you're going. or give me your ID, or why do you speak in this accent, or look at you weird because you're on the phone speaking a different language. Not being able to go to the airport, shop, feel safe, send your kid to school, having to smell tear gas. Being under occupation is…not to have your normal life.  Not to be equal to other cities or other states or other countries. They invade your privacy, you don’t feel safe at home, you don't feel safe in your car, or being out.”

Minnesota Small Businesses in Crisis

A central impact of the federal occupation of Minnesota is the sheer number of people–regardless of legal status–who are limiting their time out in the community or sheltering in place entirely, for fear of harassment, abuse, unconstitutional detainment, and violence. There is a sense that lawless agents are everywhere, and our neighborhood is no exception. After confirmed agents were seen circling our immediate neighborhood and back alleyways, we began locking our doors along with many of our neighboring restaurants and businesses. This reality poses an existential threat to state and local economies, especially small immigrant-owned and BIPOC-owned businesses.

MN Integrative Health Studio co-owners Larissa Vados and Said Isayed offered their perspectives as business owners.

Larissa: People are not coming in for appointments as frequently, or at all, due to fear of leaving their homes. This harms small businesses, such as ours, which are seeing a loss of revenue.

 Said: We see that a lot of people are not going out...because of fear, because they’re a person of color, or they have fear for their status or their family. They will not choose to go out to eat at a restaurant, for example. A lot of people still do, it really depends on the person, but I would say overall, most businesses on our block have found a 20-30% drop in income from previous months. So, it’s affecting local businesses for sure, but also the whole economy of the city. Because everything depends on people coming to the city, using utilities, services, buying goods, paying taxes. Local governments are losing money, the system or the economy is not functioning.

Heavy Hearts, Stress Symptoms Surging

Since early January, we practitioners at MIHS are noting marked increases in stress and its many manifestations. The corrosive impacts of the stress response on physical, mental, and emotional health are well-documented.

Rebekah Lavone is a public health nurse, and her work at MIHS is specifically geared toward supporting trauma recovery. Rebekah observes:

“from a public health perspective, chronic disease is going to surge. There needs to be so much support given to our community. The overwhelming fear and terror non-white individuals are facing day in and day out is going to have long term effects. I’m seeing hyperactive reflexes, heightened startle responses which is the freeze response, people not being able to feel safe.”

Larissa: I am seeing patients come in with worsening symptoms in all areas, as well as new symptoms such as higher stress, anxiety, depression, grief and insomnia. As we know, high stress, anxiety and lack of sleep contributes to poor overall health, so this can in turn worsen symptoms patients are already dealing with such as chronic pain, inflammation, digestive issues, mental health issues, etc. People are also not coming in for appointments as frequently, or at all, due to fear of leaving their homes. This obviously worsens their conditions when not adhering to their treatment plans, as well as having added stress, anxiety, lack of sleep, etc.

Ashley: The past couple weeks I have noticed that so many of my clients are coming in feeling shut down in their hearts and spirits. I think many of us feel alone with the toll the world places on us. Treating a lot of people in the community room I have the privilege of hearing a lot about the inner workings of each person and can also get a view of the collective. The collective is definitely giving off red-alert signals! I'm seeing a lot of people coming in for support with heavy hearts and subsequent chest tension and back tension, difficulty sleeping and feeling scared.

 Said: All the fear, the stress, the anxiety that people are going through, it will manifest and present eventually. It will affect their immune system, their function to live, be productive in community and society, school and work. A lot of people don't know what to do.  It's a lot of stress on top of how the system is already, the economy and how life is and everyone in debt.  And on top of that, you have to worry about your safety. So we are very stressed.  A lot of people with autoimmune disease or trauma, this stuff is kicking hard. Their bodies are reacting to stress very badly.

“You Just Keep Going”

Our team at MIHS is facing the realities of the moment right alongside our communities, whether at home, on the streets, or heading to and from work.

Sara J. is a beloved staff member who you may know from her grounded and peaceful presence at the MIHS front desk. Describing the tension many of us feel having to go on with daily life at this time, Sara says,

“it's a very heavy time to even just exist right now. I'm sure everyone is going through the motions of daily life, going to school, going to work, etc. But everyone knows what's happening in our city, in our state, and in the country right now is not normal and it's not moral.”

Larissa: “It is a difficult balance - having to deal with the reality of the world, our state and our cities, every day, yet still having to be a business owner, a health care provider, and a parent, and still try to manage regular, daily life amidst everything that is happening. What is happening here is surreal. For someone who was born and raised in Minnesota, it doesn’t seem like this can be real life, in this state, in this country.

I continue to hear people, mostly those not living in the cities or not living in Minnesota, say things such as ‘They’re just doing their job! They’re arresting violent criminals and rapists! You need to let them do their jobs and not interfere! If you’re legal in this country you have nothing to worry about!’ Nothing about this is organized, or calculated, or even lawful. Many citizens and legal residents have been arrested, detained, beaten. People are being racially profiled and stopped, questioned, asked for proof of citizenship, and even when proof is provided, can still be taken and detained. Federal agents are breaking into homes and businesses without the proper warrant required by the law. Federal agents are on video threatening bystanders who are exercising their constitutional rights, not to mention also on video physically assaulting, and even killing bystanders for exercising their constitutional rights.

My husband Said, co-owner of the clinic, is a naturalized US citizen, but grew up in Palestine. For me, this is a completely new experience. For him however, this is very similar to how he grew up - in a military occupation. In his homeland, soldiers can break into people’s homes or businesses at all hours of the night and day without any proper warrants, people can be stopped on the street for any or no reason, harassed, beaten and/or detained for any or no reason, without proper due process and without access to lawyers or even a criminal charge or court date. In fact, it is the only place in the world that “systematically prosecutes children in military courts that lack fundamental fair trial rights and protections.”

All of the things happening here are very reminiscent of what happens to Palestinians living in the West Bank. I had hoped our child would not have to grow up with the same fears and risks, yet here we are.

I think about so many refugees here in Minnesota, who have fled from persecution, wars, and other horrible circumstances, who have already been traumatized, and are now facing yet more trauma at the hands of the country and government that was supposed to be a safe place for them to seek refuge.”

Said describes his experience differently, saying for him it’s more about switching into the survival strategies he learned coming of age in Palestine:

“You know, growing up like that, I just switch back to that same mode. You keep going. You have work to do, people to take care of, business to improve.  That's how you resist, that's how you keep going. There's no time to get scared, to have fear. You go, okay, step back, pause. Because that's their goal: they want to destroy you, they want you to be useless. And you just keep going.”

Healing Work In These Times

Our team describes doing healing work at this time as exceptionally difficult–and also illuminating and gratifying. At MIHS, we recognize that healing spaces are essential for nurturing resilience in individuals and the collective. We honor this need through our everyday work, as well as our commitments to the community. A number of us have been offering free sessions to those in need and at community events. On Sunday February 1, we hosted a Community Response event at the studio, offering a variety of free services in recognition of the increased need for support.

As a Reiki practitioner at MIHS, the past several weeks have been some of the most meaningful of my career. I’ve practiced Reiki with people on the heels of their own traumatic experiences, and those metabolizing the relentless stressors of their new daily routines. Offering a grounding, restorative practice like Reiki to fellow community members at this time is an immense honor. I’ve also faced the challenge of practicing Reiki on days when stress hormones and strong emotions are still coursing in my own system. The opportunity to share Reiki with clients at these times has infused me with a sense of purpose and peace.

Larissa: It can be difficult to be a healthcare worker/healer in times like these. We have to truly take our own advice during these times more than ever, to take care of ourselves so that we are better able to take care of others. Sometimes it feels like I cannot possibly go to work and set aside what is happening just outside our walls, and focus on the patient in front of me, or the mundane business needs in front of me. Yet, every time I come to work, I am reminded that caring for others is such a joy in times of darkness. Caring for others allows me to set aside my own worries, fears, anger at the world, and focus on the person in front of me, and what I can do to help them. Knowing that I am able in some way to make someone’s day a little better, whether that is through hands-on therapies, or just through listening and understanding, makes every day a little brighter, and a little more hopeful.

Ashley: I feel like I am doing my life's work to be able to help give some care back to those seeking it. It's important to take some respite from the world and nurture ourselves. Otherwise we cannot maintain our bright lights; which are so important right now to the collective energy field. Giving people a chance to come back into a more neutral or compassionate state of being…that's the type of energy I want to help conduct and build on right now.

Building Resilience

When I asked Said what advice he has for Minnesotans in this time, he shared:

“ What's the goal of everything that's happening in Minnesota? Political intimidation, fear, and paralyzing society.  And we should not give them that.

We should keep creating new businesses, supporting each other. Pull away from the system that doesn't want to support you, companies that don't want to support you, your point of view, and your culture. They don't deserve to be part of your community, so you shouldn't support them. We create our own culture, our own stores, create more jobs, replace corporations with small businesses.

There's no fear, make a choice to not give in to fear. Because you can be too careful, and still end up in a bad situation. So you might as well not let fear debilitate you as a person. Joke about stuff. Don't let it take over your life. Just try to keep living. I would say people need to build more resilience.  And sometimes you compromise to keep things going, so you can get stronger. Sometimes having a strategy is better than just being loud. They want violence, they want people to react, for people to shoot so they can get the military here. Don't give them that. Don’t give them an excuse. We have a lot of other tools that you could use.  The companies need money, the government needs taxes.”

Surviving and Thriving in Community

Like much of Minnesota, our team is feeling the power of community, care, and love radiating throughout our state. In such difficult times, we remember that these qualities are themselves healing. While just looking out for ourselves may be seductive, compassion is literally good for our health. Gathering together, reaching beyond ourselves, and strengthening bonds in community is how we are becoming stronger together. If the goal was to separate, divide, and weaken us–it’s not working.

Larissa: While things are very stressful and tense, we have also noticed such a strong community bond here. Through all the heartache, fear and anxiety, we are also able to see the yin within the yang - the compassionate, empathetic, caring community we are a part of. We are all looking out for one another, and despite all the scary, unsafe, terrible feelings, I am also feeling connected to our local community more than I ever have, and feeling the love Minnesotans have for each other. Living our lives, taking care of each other, and still being able to find some peace and joy during fraught times such as these is part of resistance. We cannot and will not let ‘them’ take that away from us.

Ashley: Kindness, generosity, and good will- those qualities feel good to our bodies and to the collective energy.

Sara: In spite of [everything] I am incredibly thankful for the community here, and how we show up for one another in times of hardship. Not a day goes by that I'm not experiencing or witnessing the kindness of the people that call Minnesota home.

Said: Many people are out there, motivated, organized, it's really good. People are checking on each other. They're re-learning what real community should be.  It should be like this all the time, not just in crisis.  Because if we are like this all the time, when something happens, we'll have more tools and we can push hard.   You gotta create your own culture, your own reality, your own community. That's how a lot of cultures survive. Empires come and go and these people just keep their culture. They create value, maybe not in money, maybe in the land, in community.

I think Minnesotans realize that the diversity and the culture they have here is more valuable than anything.

How Can You Support Our Community?

standwithminnesota.com is an excellent resource for those looking to support the grassroots work of Minnesotans.

Support local businesses! Especially small businesses that are immigrant- and BIPOC-owned, and those in neighborhoods and business corridors hit especially hard by the occupation, where business is down 50-100%. In our neighborhood, this includes Central Avenue in Northeast Minneapolis, all the way through hard-hit Columbia Heights and beyond.

If/when you can do so with relative safety, be out in community. The more people on the streets, the safer we make them for everyone. Frequent local shops and restaurants as able. Come hang out on our sweet and vibrant 13th Avenue business corridor! Breathe life into our neighborhoods with your love and presence.

If/when you feel particularly vulnerable under this occupation, honor your needs. Please care for yourself the best you can, and reach out for support as you are able. The act of caring for yourself and your loved ones is a powerful act of resistance.

Support us by letting us support you! At MIHS, we are feeling the economic pain of this moment even as we continue to show up for our community.

If you are able to come in for services, saunas, and events, we’d love to see you.
Purchase retail and gift cards to show your support.
Tell people about us, or leave us a review!
Reach out or stop by the front desk if you’d like to buy gift cards to donate to community members in need.

To find out more about Minnesota Integrative Health Studio services, check out our website. You can book online here. Questions? Feel free to contact us, call (612.345.5648), at or stop by “the studio” on our corner of northeast Minneapolis.

Resources

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