The day after the presidential election, St. Louis Park Allies founder Susan Niz couldn’t help but feel sympathetic for minority, ethnic and social groups already feeling pressured and criticized in the United States.

“The day after the (electoral) votes, I was feeling very disheartened and frustrated and just concerned for the future, especially groups that would be more threatened, such as immigrants,” Niz said.

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Used with written permission from Kirsten Brekke Albright

Founder Susan Niz and Allies of SLP memeber Kirsten Brekke Albright pose with a friend at the Islamic Northwest Community Center. Niz and Brekke Albright were invited to an Islamic prayer service, where they covered their heads with the Muslim hijab and learned more about Islamic virtues.

Niz said before creating her Facebook group, her concerns lead her to habitually voice out support for social justice in networks such as Nextdoor.

“(On) Nextdoor, I wrote this pledge I mended as a personal statement , saying ‘I pledge to be an ally, and I pledge to do more to stand up for, and to send groups that might feel threatened,’” Niz said. “I started to have a big response, and it started a big conversation. So I went on Facebook and I formed a  group, and from there, it kind of took off from there.”

Niz said the group organizes activities and events to help learn more about different ethnicities and humanity, like monthly book discussions. Some people post things in the group about other organizations.

“We do have a monthly book discussion group, and we read books that are related to racial justice, and some of the members do participate in protests, even though we don’t officially do that as a group,” Niz said. “When I go protest, I like to take pictures of the signs and post about it on our Facebook page.”

Niz said she began a program last month called “Allies Workshop,” consisting of groups of people and leaders educating the group more about racial justice and the importance of advocating.

“The idea is to have several small group discussions that happen simultaneously, (and) one of the main ideas is to ask people in the community to step up and lead (these discussions) as leaders,” Niz said. “(It provides an opportunity for) people (to) explore those topics within our group.”

Sophomore Chloe Blodgett said she thinks the group is a wonderful way for people to connect with each other.

“I think it’s a really great idea — (regarding) all of the stuff that’s going on (currently), people kind of feel alienated because of the offensive statements being said about people,” Blodgett said. “I think it creates a good group and that sense of togetherness.”

Blodgett said people who like to keep up with information on social media that come across these kind of pages will change their perspectives on a stance such as racial justice easier.

“People who see this Facebook group, or joins this Facebook group, they can be more aware of the stuff that is going around if they weren’t before,” Blodgett said.

Kirsten Brekke Albright, a self-proclaimed “ally,” said she felt ecstatic to hear about a group that stands up for civil rights, especially through the stigma the election’s aftermath created.

“I was drawn to the Allies group for a lot of the same reasons (Niz) had, (which were) the results of the election — many of us who were not in favor of Trump had deep concerns right away of deepening divides and tensions (in people,.” Brekke Albright said.

Brekke Albright said she highly recommends younger age groups to join as well, making this a learning experience for them.

“We try to model being positive and engaging people without judgement. Faith guiding us is the environment (we bring to the group) —  if we can be together at coming together as people and finding our connections (and ignoring) our differences (that would be amazing),” Brekke Albright said.

Sophomore Daniel Gnali said he thinks students should consider joining the Allies group because it will help them voice their opinions on national issues.

“I think students should participate in stuff – it’s a big deal,” Gnali said.  “(Especially with) people on Facebook these days, it would be a really great idea to join in, say something about what’s going on and show the world we care.”

Niz said the Allies group benefits the St. Louis Park community when people reach out for one another during tough times by expressing their feelings.

“Some of the issues we talk about are messy topics, meaning that it’s hard to talk about (topics such as) racism,” Niz said. “At least we are trying to create that conversation, and hopefully the result will be that we come closer as a community, and that we feel more prepared to help each other, and learn from each other.”

Brekke Albright said the club’s dedication in helping to bring more awareness and positivity makes her proud to live in St. Louis Park and learn more about humanity.

“For me, this is the essence of providing a sanctuary.

I feel fortunate I live in St. Louis Park, where we’re surrounded by a lot of diversity,” Brekke Albright said. “I think this group embodies what makes me most proud to live in St. Louis Park.”