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.
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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.
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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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At the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah, a protest, “Sundancers Melt ICE,” was held to condemn the fatal shootings in Minneapolis. The protest, organized to memorialize those killed by law enforcement officials, involved participants holding up lit phones and chanting slogans on Main Street. Film industry figures, including Elijah Wood and Natalie Portman, voiced their support for the cause and denounced the actions of government agencies. The event aimed to raise awareness and delegitimize the agencies involved in the shootings.
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In response to an ICE surge in Minnesota, community leaders, faith leaders, and labor unions organized a “Day of Truth & Freedom” protest, featuring a “no work, no school, no shopping” blackout. The protest, spurred by the killing of an unarmed woman by a federal immigration officer, demands ICE’s removal from Minnesota, accountability for the officer, an end to ICE funding, and investigations into human rights violations. Hundreds of businesses and cultural institutions closed in solidarity, with thousands expected to participate in the action despite dangerously cold weather. The University of Minnesota’s labor unions called for the university system to shutdown to allow students and workers to participate. The Department of Homeland Security responded that they have made over 3,000 arrests in the state over the last six weeks.
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Photographer John Abernathy was confronted by federal officers during a protest in Minneapolis and tackled to the ground while documenting the events. He feared his equipment would be confiscated, so he tossed his camera to fellow photojournalist Pierre Lavie, who also managed to save Abernathy’s phone from being stepped on by an officer. Both photographers were documenting the protests over ICE activities when Abernathy was targeted and taken into custody, where he later suffered injuries from the encounter. Despite the incident, Abernathy retrieved his equipment with Lavie’s help, went to the hospital, and continues to document the events, emphasizing the importance of the world seeing what is happening.
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Following the death of Renee Good, who was fatally shot by an ICE agent, protests against ICE in Minneapolis are ongoing. The US Justice Department is investigating protesters who disrupted a church service, alleging they violated civil rights by desecrating a house of worship. Protesters claim a pastor at the church is an ICE official, while authorities vow to pursue federal charges. Amidst the protests, the Pentagon has placed 1,500 soldiers on standby, and a federal judge issued an order limiting crowd control tactics used by ICE agents.
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The FBI has requested that agents from field offices voluntarily travel to Minneapolis for temporary assignments amidst anti-ICE protests and the recent fatal shooting of Renee Good. The assignment specifics are unclear but will likely involve investigating cases of assault on federal officers, as well as vandalism and theft targeting FBI property. The request is currently voluntary, and response has been minimal. This request comes as Minneapolis experiences a large presence of federal immigration personnel, and local officials have called for ICE to leave the city.
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Anti-ICE demonstrators chase off outnumbered far-right activists at Minneapolis rally.
Well, it seems like the spirit of Minneapolis is alive and well! Stories like these always bring a smile, and the recent clash between anti-ICE demonstrators and far-right activists certainly paints a vivid picture. Thirty years ago, back when I first arrived in Minneapolis, I recall learning about the city’s history with groups like SHARPS – Skin Heads Against Racial Prejudice. These folks, as I understand, had a firm handle on keeping the local Nazi skinheads from gaining any real foothold. It’s heartening to see that this tradition of standing up to hate continues today.… Continue reading
During anti-ICE protests in Minneapolis, reports emerged of official documents, including arrest warrants and intelligence, being taken from federal vehicles. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem stated the vehicles in question were believed to be FBI vehicles, not DHS, and thus she was uncertain of the documents’ contents. This incident occurred amidst a significant federal presence in the city related to immigration enforcement operations, leading to protests and two shootings by federal agents within a week. President Donald Trump has since threatened to invoke the Insurrection Act to quell ongoing protests.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood
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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