Minneapolis, MN

“Bigot Mobile” spotted in Minneapolis — Assigned

Published

1 year ago

January 13, 2025

“Bigot Mobile” spotted in Minneapolis — Assigned

by Arin Waller

In mid-November, an LED box truck was spotted outside Children’s Minnesota, a prominent pediatric hospital in Minneapolis, displaying a transphobic message targeting the hospital’s Gender Health Program. This non-profit facility is well known for its comprehensive healthcare services for children, including gender-affirming care. The message on the truck claimed that at least 54 children had

been “harmed” by what it called “sex change interventions.” This incident underscores the increasing challenges faced by healthcare providers offering these essential services amidst a tide of misinformation and hostility.

The group responsible for the transphobic message is The American Parents Coalition, a Parent rights organization founded in March of 2024 by Allison Leigh Marré. Marré previously served as a spokesperson for the Department of Health and Human Services during the Trump-Pence administration. The Organization asserts that modern political dynamics, such as LGBT representation in children’s media, threaten their rights as parents.

The attacks go beyond this single hospital. The website for this group’s campaign, titled Stop The Docs, lists Children’s Minnesota and 3 other children’s hospitals in Cincinnati, Philadelphia, And Washington D.C. as the worst offenders in offering “irreversible sex change interventions on kids”. They list statistics for all four clinics, detailing the number of patients, prescriptions for puberty blockers, and submitted charges which is assumedly the initial payment amount a healthcare provider submits to an insurance company. The figures are pulled from StopTheHarm, a medical database created by the anti-trans organization Do No Harm. Critics often tout the Database as misrepresenting data to purport a biased narrative. It’s odd that a medical database, keeping tabs on surgeries, wouldn’t list the exact procedures being performed, as many of these surgeries have purposes outside of gender reassignment. For instance, a study conducted by Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health found a majority of these procedures were breast reductions, a procedure that’s most commonly performed to alleviate back problems.

Regardless of studies finding links between hormone blockers and improved quality of life for transgender teens, these groups continue to condemn their use. An advocacy group might be expected to explain their objection to certain practices, especially when backed findings contradict these notions. Still, it appears that most of these far-right groups tend to throw around buzzwords instead of providing any factual evidence for their claims. The APC is no different with a quick summary of their about section suggesting because an absurdly biased database reports questionable data we need to stop these “harmful gender interventions on children”.

Despite no argument on why these interventions are harmful, The APC urges people to write to their local representatives and any hospitals in their area if it is listed in the Stop The Harm database, using a sample letter they have provided.

The APC uses its stance as a group of parents to push anti-LGBTQ+ beliefs. Transforming Families, a peer-led group for families in support of their trans/gender non-conforming children in Minnesota, provides their input. Assigned Media met with Hannah Edwards, the Executive Director of Transforming Families, to ask a few questions.

When asked how she and her husband recognized their daughter might be transgender, Edwards explained:

“As soon as she could start expressing herself… she likes sort of stereotypical girl things even though she was assigned male at birth… she would say things like, in my heart, I am a girl… We would say things like boys could have long hair… boys can have ear piercings or wear pink or any number of things, and finally, she was like, but I’m not a boy.”

Reflecting on the impact of their child being transgender on their parenting style, Edwards remarked:

“I feel like I always thought of myself as a very open person and parent… I have always wanted to be someone who didn’t shape my child into who I thought they should be but more so let them come through me and help guide them to who they truly are. And make healthy safe decisions about their lives and their future I think what it has done though was solidified that for me”

Campaigns like this often incite violence, with some hospitals receiving bomb threats. When asked if any of the families she works with have felt threatened by the truck’s presence Edwards had this to say.

“I don’t know specifically if any of our families have seen them or not, I do know we have talked about them in meetings, and being aware of them… just knowing that that truck was driving around the main clinic that our families use was hurtful in and of itself. It’s already scary to be supporting your child in this day and age. We’ve got people who are calling us, as parents, groomers or pedophiles. And so to have a truck meant just to intimidate feels pretty icky and that it also makes me personally upset. I think that our children, our trans children our non-binary gender expansive children, are super brave when they shouldn’t have to be, and so to be going to do something that is taking care of yourself and making healthy choices for yourself is already brave enough, and to have to come across that, it makes me as a parent kind of angry that you would do that to my kid”

Parents of trans children often face criticism by anti-trans groups. It is only fair for Edwards to provide her criticism toward the parenting choices of potential APC members.

“I hope that their kids aren’t trans… because likely they would not be healthy and happy like the kids who are affirmed and supported are. I wish that instead of worrying about my parenting choices, they could reflect and look at their own parenting decisions and choices and work on their relationship with their children. So that their children are able to build healthier relationships with them. Because my relationship with my child is so healthy.”

It’s no coincidence that this campaign rolled out mere weeks before *The U.S. Vs. Skrmetti*. We are seeing so much transphobic propaganda that one may be reminded of a line from The Second Coming by William Butler Yeats, that reads “The best lack all conviction while the worse are full of passionate intensity”. Now, more than ever, it is crucial to amplify the voices of those who are bravelystanding against these injustices. We must remember that these opposing forces can only succeed if weallow them to drown us out.

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Minneapolis, MN

Fan behind Anthony Edwards’ orange bracelet has beaten cancer

Published

5 hours ago

February 27, 2026

Press Room

Fan behind Anthony Edwards’ orange bracelet has beaten cancer

MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) – The story behind Anthony Edwards wearing a bright orange bracelet since last season has received a positive development, after Timberwolves fans learned Luca Wright has beaten leukemia.

Anthony Edwards, Luca Wright connection

What we know:

Last January, the 6-year-old Minnesotan met “Ant” for the first time following a game against the Detroit Pistons, proclaiming him to be his favorite player, and asking him to wear a bracelet that symbolizes leukemia awareness, resilience and support for those affected. During the interaction, the fan had created a sign with a to-do list: “1. Beat Cancer. 2. Be The Next MJ.”

Leukemia is a type of cancer that spreads throughout the bloodstream, infecting bone marrow and a person’s lymphatic system by rapid production of abnormal white blood cells that can’t fight infection.

Since then, the Wolves’ MVP has worn a bracelet that proclaims, “Love Like Luca” on it for every game he has played, vowing to wear it “until he hangs up his sneakers.”

Ant has gone on to explain how the gesture connected with him given that he lost both his mother, Yvette, and grandmother, Shirley, to cancer when he was 14 years old. The No. 5 jersey he wears currently is a tribute to them both.

Luca bracelet latest

Dig deeper:

More than a year later, Wolves fans have received the update they hoped for – now 7-year-old Luca has beaten his cancer.

What’s next:

Ant has since responded to the news with his own social media video, calling it “God’s gift” and saying, “Let’s do this Luca.”

No word yet on whether he intends to keep wearing the bracelet, though he’s previously said he has a stash of replacements near the team bench should one ever be broken.

The Source: Information provided by the Minnesota Timberwolves public relations department.

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Minneapolis, MN

Family of Minneapolis brothers killed by cousin says their deaths were preventable:

Published

17 hours ago

February 27, 2026

Press Room

Family of Minneapolis brothers killed by cousin says their deaths were preventable:

A Minneapolis family is struggling to make sense of a tragedy that has left them heartbroken.

Family tells WCCO 14-year-old Xavier Barnett and 23-year-old Akwame Stewart were killed Monday.

The brothers were very different, but equally loved. Barnett was a good student and athlete. Stewart was a painter, creative and thoughtful. Two brothers, loved and full of promise, gone.

Police say the accused shooter is their cousin, 23-year-old Eddie Duncan.

Court records show Duncan was released on bail Monday on charges of fleeing law enforcement and possession of a gun modified with an “auto sear switch.”

Court records also show Duncan was ordered to undergo a psychological evaluation, but not until next month, on March 24.

Deasia Freeman, Barnett and Stewart’s sister, says this loss could have been prevented.

“They all failed us. We got two innocent lives gone for no reason. Didn’t do nothing to nobody,” Freeman said.

Family members say the system and Duncan’s family let them down.

Freeman says Duncan’s family saw the warning signs and still bailed him out

“If you knew this man was thinking like this, y’all should have kept him in there and he should not even have bail,” she said.

The Hennepin County Attorney’s Office says they noted Duncan was a public safety risk and asked for a high bail, much higher than a typical request.

“In Minnesota, there is a constitutional right to bail, and the bail amount is set by the Court. Our office noted a public safety risk with Mr. Duncan and asked the judge to set bail at $70,000, or $35,000 with conditions; both of which are higher than we would typically request in this scenario. The judge set bail in that amount. Mr. Duncan posted $35,000 bail with conditions of release, as is allowed under the Minnesota Constitution, and was released from custody. Our thoughts are with all those impacted by yesterday’s violence. This was a terrible tragedy for this family and our community,” a spokesperson for the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office said.

For Freeman and her family, the hardest part isn’t just the legal process but living each day without their brothers.

Even in the heartbreak, she says the memories of the good days, the laughter and love they shared will carry them through.

“I wish I could get just one more phone call from them asking me where I’m at,” Freeman said as tears rolled down her face.

Court records confirm Duncan left the scene of the crime and fled to nearby Brooklyn Center. There, a search warrant says Duncan “fired a gun at officers, striking two squads,” when police arrived. That’s when officers returned fire, shooting and killing him.

Three officers have been placed on critical incident leave as the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension leads the investigation into Duncan’s fatal shooting.

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Minneapolis, MN

First-of-Its-Kind Photography Festival Comes to Minneapolis | Minnesota Monthly

Published

1 day ago

February 26, 2026

Press Room

First-of-Its-Kind Photography Festival Comes to Minneapolis | Minnesota Monthly

MODE by Flickr

The Twin Cities has long been a hotbed of creative inspiration and artistic storytelling—from world-class cultural institutions to large-scale art and film festivals that propel emerging makers and creators into the spotlight. But, for the first time, local photographers are primed to receive a multi-day that is uniquely their own—geared toward all things visual, digital, and candid.

Today, global photo-sharing platform Flickr announced the launch of MODE by Flickr, a three-day photography festival set to take place Sept. 18-20—right in the heart of Minneapolis. A first-of-its-kind event, the inaugural lineup will gather some of the biggest names inartvisual media, from Emmy-nominated director and National Geographic photographer Keith Ladzinski to renowned culinary photographer Penny De Los Santos, as well as sponsorship support from global media companies including Fujifilm, HOVERAir, and more.

Whether attendees are coming to network, learn, or simply, admire, MODE will feature a variety of welcoming spaces designed to foster a dynamic exchange of creative energy. Expect immersive workshops led by industry legends, hands-on demonstrations, mind-expanding exhibitions, and special programming designed by Black Women Photographers’ Polly Irungu and Inside Out Project.

“MODE is photography in motion—alive, interactive, and deeply rooted in community,” said Ben MacAskill in a prepared statement, President and COO at SmugMug and Flickr. “For more than 20 years, Flickr has brought the world’s photographers together online. Now, we’re bringing that spirit away from devices and connecting in the real world with a festival built for creativity and the future of photography and visual arts.”

Designed around seven thematic pillars, MODE aims to bring the full spectrum of photography to life—uniting world-shifting storytelling, emerging tools, business insights, motion-driven media, cultural diversity, analog processes, and environmental responsibility. These seven pillars will float through each diverse experience, from live portrait shoots, tech demos, and editing workshops to photojournalism panels, film screenings, and instant-film activations.

Flickr’s choice of Minneapolis as its launchpad feels telling of an overarching alignment of values—the city a mirror for MODE’s core mission of celebrating creativity and community while prioritizing diversity, inclusion, and accessibility. To support this mission, the festival will be equipped with accessible venues, thoughtful sustainability measures, diverse programming, and a careful artist selection process that prioritizes representation and artistic vision.

Tickets are available now, starting at $300 for Flickr Pro members, and between $330 and $660 for general admission and VIP passes. For more information on ticketing, and updated programming announcements, visit modefestival.com.

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