US civil rights lawyer and activist Nekima Levy Armstrong expressed disgust after the White House digitally altered an image of her arrest to depict her in tears. Levy Armstrong was detained for organizing a protest against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at a Minnesota church. This manipulated image has led to significant backlash against the White House.
British-American Olympian Gus Kenworthy posted a provocative image to his social media, urinating the phrase “f*ck ICE” into the snow near the Milano Cortina Winter Games site. Accompanying the image was a script for his 1.2 million followers to use when calling senators to protest ICE and advocate for stricter oversight. While the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee confirmed no ICE agents are part of the Team USA delegation, Italy’s Interior Minister stated a division of ICE would be present but without executive functions. The International Olympic Committee confirmed Kenworthy will not face punishment for his expression.
The recent AEW Dynamite broadcast in Las Vegas was significantly marked by a prominent “F**k ICE” chant from the audience, which began just before Brody King’s match against AEW World Champion MJF. Referee Bryce Remsburg appeared to intentionally delay the start of the match, allowing the chants to resonate longer, a fact he later alluded to on X. This emphasis on the protest was further supported by AEW announcer Tony Schiavone’s silence during the chant, and the lack of usual censorship for such profanity. These chants represent a continuation of protests within wrestling against ICE, fueled by recent events and vocal criticism from figures like Brody King, who has previously expressed his opposition to the agency.
During an AEW Dynamite event in Las Vegas, a live broadcast was briefly interrupted by an anti-ICE chant from the audience. The crowd, in a city with a significant Latino population and an increasing AEW Latino fanbase, erupted with “F— ICE” before the opening bell. This occurred as AEW champion MJF appeared surprised, while Brody King, who has been publicly outspoken against ICE and recently raised nearly $59,000 for immigrant communities through t-shirt sales, acknowledged the sentiment. King ultimately defeated MJF in the match.
A 45-year-old Texas man, Chad Michael Watts, has been arrested on assault charges following a physical confrontation with high school students during a protest against ICE. The incident, which occurred at Moe and Gene Johnson High School, began with a verbal argument that escalated into a physical altercation. Video footage from the scene appears to show Watts as the primary aggressor, confronting students with hostility. The Hays County Judge emphasized the responsibility of adults to exercise restraint and protect children exercising their constitutional rights, stating that violence or intimidation directed at minors is unacceptable.
On January 31st, hundreds of Italians protested in Milan against the involvement of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in supporting the US delegation at the upcoming Milano Cortina Winter Olympics. Demonstrators, echoing tactics used by anti-ICE protesters in the United States, voiced their concerns over ICE’s presence following fatal shootings by federal agents in Minnesota. The protests included family groups, and the protestors carried signs such as “ICE=FASCISM.” The US State Department confirmed that ICE would be present to protect visiting Americans, while Italy emphasized its control over all security operations during the games.
Friday will see another wave of protests in Minnesota against immigration enforcement actions, mirroring a similar demonstration from the previous week that drew thousands despite freezing temperatures. These protests are part of a national day of action opposing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations, with organizers encouraging an economic blackout. However, some small businesses are opting to remain open due to financial pressures, as last week’s protest negatively impacted foot traffic and sales for many businesses. Further protests are also scheduled for Saturday across the country, while news outlets will continue to cover these ongoing developments.
Journalist Don Lemon was arrested in Los Angeles on Thursday night in connection to a protest at a Minnesota church earlier this month. The arrest followed an incident where Lemon was present during an anti-ICE protest that interrupted a church service. Lemon’s attorney stated he was acting in his capacity as a journalist and that the arrest was an attack on the First Amendment. The Justice Department had previously attempted to charge Lemon and others but was initially rejected by a magistrate judge.
A nationwide shutdown is planned for Friday, January 30th, in response to federal agent actions in major cities, with organizers calling the tactics “tyranny.” The protest aims to address concerns regarding immigration enforcement tactics and the fatal shootings of two U.S. citizens by federal agents in Minneapolis, specifically Alex Pretti and Renee Nicole Good. The “National Shutdown” campaign urges people to avoid work, school, and shopping, while also demanding an end to ICE operations. The Department of Homeland Security has stated that the agency is facing a surge in attacks and is conducting internal reviews of the recent shootings.
John Q. Hosedrinker
Minnesota National Guard Offers Coffee and Donuts to Anti-ICE Protesters
In St. Paul, the Minnesota National Guard provided coffee and donuts to anti-ICE protesters, with a guardsman stating it was a demonstration of safety and security. The deployment followed a recent shooting involving a Border Patrol agent that resulted in the death of a Minneapolis resident, Alex J. Pretti, sparking questions and differing accounts of the incident. This event occurred shortly after a previous shooting involving an ICE officer, prompting Gov. Tim Walz to call for the removal of federal agents from Minnesota. Following the shooting, President Donald Trump stated his administration would be reviewing the situation.
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