As we race toward election day, Human Writes was eager to get student perspectives on election issues. We sat down with Elizabeth Gust, who works as a communications assistant for the Human Rights Program and runs the Brewing Justice Coffee Hour. In conversation with her for this piece, she offered insights into Minnesotan human rights issues, DHS/ICE funding, and the cutting of USAID. 

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The Conversation

Editor: Participation in the political process is a human right. Unfortunately, we have seen a number of attempts to curtail voters’ ability to have their say, as I outlined in a recent piece. Nationally, democracy is under attack. Locally, though, we saw a huge response to the ICE occupation this winter; it is clear that the civic spirit is alive and well here in Minnesota, despite plenty of efforts to thwart it. Given that context, what do you think the upcoming elections mean for human rights in Minnesota specifically?

Elizabeth Gust: The upcoming elections could be the most widespread public response to Operation Metro Surge since the protests and strikes that occurred here last winter. The midterms provide an opportunity to vote against the human rights violations committed by Immigration Customs Enforcement through their violent, manipulative, and discriminatory behavior towards immigrants and people of color. By supporting candidates who denounce the actions of the Department of Homeland Security and refuse to pass funding for ICE, we can dismantle the resources that allowed ICE agents to occupy Minneapolis without facing legal consequences.

Editor: I agree. Earlier this year, Minnesota was occupied by an unaccountable group of federal agents. They wreaked havoc on our streets, kidnapped our neighbors, and murdered two Minnesotans. These elections are a chance for Minnesota, and the rest of the nation, to declare its disapproval of this kind of lawlessness, and to begin holding responsible those who have perpetrated it. 

Taking a wider view, we are faced with a seemingly endless train of disheartening news, both domestic and international. From corruption to migration to dehumanizing rhetoric, there is much to be concerned about. Outside of the context of Minnesota, what human rights issue do you think is most pressing in the upcoming election?

Elizabeth Gust: The reduction of the budget of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) by billions of dollars in 2024 is already leading to immense strains on humanitarian aid. USAID is an immense influence within international relations and has developed intricate systems of delivering emergency aid to vulnerable populations around the world. 

However, the abrupt slashing of aid available has left millions of people in dangerous levels of poverty. Additionally, humanitarian networks now have reduced capacity to meet increasing needs for food, medicine, and shelter with a fraction of the resources. Future investment in USAID will require the election of officials who maintain a human rights lens of foreign relations. Without the restoration of USAID funds, the imbalance in global wealth distribution continues to grow, and the increased frequency of climate disasters will devastate vulnerable countries.

Editor: I am also concerned about the foreign policy of the United States, and think that these elections are a chance to change course. The United States is currently involved in an undeclared war on Iran, is holding Venezuela hostage as a vassal state, and continues to support Israel's genocide in Gaza. This November, we should vote with a fair and human rights-oriented foreign policy in mind. Our elected officials should hold allies accountable, take action on stopping wars the American public does not approve of, and ensure that our military operates with the strictest adherence to international humanitarian law. 

The views, thoughts and opinions expressed in this blog are the author’s only and do not reflect an official position of the University of Minnesota, the Human Rights Program, or the College of Liberal Arts. As an institution of higher education that values and promotes free speech, civil discourse, and human rights we welcome a variety of perspectives and opinions from our student contributors that are consistent with these values.