To the Free Geek Twin Cities Community,

We are aware of the online discussions regarding allegations of anti-trans behavior and union busting, among other things, that the Board of Directors at Free Geek Twin Cities would like to address. Unfortunately, many of the comments or allegations made are inaccurate.

First and foremost, we want to be clear that we stand firmly with our LGBTQ+ community. Anti-trans behavior is not tolerated from anyone at Free Geek Twin Cities, including management and the Board of Directors. We do not support or tolerate discrimination of any kind, whether based on gender identity, age, sexual orientation, ethnicity, or any other protected class.

Secondly, we fully support our staff in their right to organize and unionize. We believe empowering our team in this way is essential to maintaining a fair and respectful workplace. We are currently in the process of beginning collective bargaining negotiations for a contract with our employees’ union.

Additionally, we’ve had recent incidents of internal theft that needed to be addressed. These actions go against our values and reduce the resources available to the community we serve. The removal of the Free Shelf is part of the effort to address this. We have heard your feedback and are working on ways to reimagine the Free Shelf. Rest assured that items that would normally go to the Free Shelf are not irresponsibly disposed of; they will either end up in our thrift store for a highly discounted price or be responsibly recycled.

We’ve made these important changes to strengthen our mission: building a community of technology enthusiasts dedicated to digital inclusion, reuse and responsible recycling. We accomplish this by providing affordable electronics, offering education and experience, and repurposing technology. At the heart of our mission is commitment to create a safe and respectful environment that is truly inclusive for everyone. 

Volunteers are at the core of what we do. We deeply value your feedback and are looking for more structured ways to ensure your thoughts and ideas are heard.

Board of Directors

Free Geek Twin Cities