Cloquet Area Indivisible holds rally in support of childcare

CLOQUET, Minn. — We The People: Cloquet Area Indivisible held a public rally on Jan. 14, in support of local and state-wide childcare providers as the Department of Health and Human Services continues its freeze on Minnesota’s childcare funds.

During the gathering on the corner of Big Lake Rd and Highway 33 S in Cloquet, attendees said the business of childcare helps business boom for everybody.

“Having essential childcare is very important,” said Erin Bates, a member of Cloquet Area Indivisible. “Like I said, it’s important for our economic infrastructure and, as the saying goes, ‘childcare is the business that allows other businesses to stay in business.'”

Bates also reiterated that the issue of childcare is not a political one, but a human one.

“We need to protect the kids, not politics, don’t make it a political issue.”

“We’ve got to invest in our future, (and) it starts with the youngest in our community,” said Bates.

The organization’s next event is an “MLK I Have a Dream” march in Moose Lake on Jan. 17, in honor of Martin Luther King Jr.