Mara Solis’ story is about what educators do when fear enters the lives of children. As a fourth grade teacher in St. Paul Public Schools, Mara saw Operation Metro Surge disrupt the everyday routines families rely on — school buses, parent pickup, work, court, rent, groceries, recess. Her story shows how teachers became organizers, protectors, communicators, and community defenders.

Jeremy Lorenzo’s story is about someone who moved from political awakening into disciplined community action. He did not begin with a tight-knit community in Minnesota, but through Indivisible, IDN, constitutional observer trainings, rapid response, and mutual aid, he found one. His story shows how people become organizers when they decide they have time, skills, and responsibility to give.

Jason Ortiz-Crespin’s story is about protection as instinct. As a special education teacher, grandson of Mexican immigrants, constitutional observer, organizer, and community safety volunteer, Jason moved from shock and fear into fierce defense of children, schools, elders, and neighbors. His story carries one of the clearest emotional arcs: “I didn’t know what to do” becomes “you are not going to harm one of these kids.”

Mark Goldberg’s story is about organized community defense in motion. As a Jewish community member, synagogue board member, safety and security volunteer, and IDN organizer/responder, Mark witnessed the fear Operation Metro Surge created across families, businesses, and neighborhoods — and chose to confront it through rapid response, documentation, protection, and solidarity.

Peter Brown is a longtime South Minneapolis resident, former legal aid attorney, Quaker, neighbor, and trained constitutional observer. His story shows how ordinary tools — a whistle, a notebook, a phone, and moral clarity — became part of a larger community defense strategy during Operation Metro Surge.