Minneapolis residents are organizing an “ICE Out” day of protest, calling for a day of no work, school, or shopping to protest ICE presence and actions in the city. Businesses like Wrecktangle Pizza and Beckett’s plan to close in solidarity, with owners citing concerns over the impact on immigrant communities and the restaurant industry. Despite freezing temperatures, a massive mobilization is underway, with volunteers providing aid to families, including food distribution from Dios Habla Hoy church. This response aims to honor Renee Nicole Good, recently killed by an ICE officer, and demonstrate support for the city’s immigrant community through both protest and humanitarian efforts.
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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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“Operation Metro Surge,” an immigration enforcement action in Minneapolis and St. Paul, has sparked strong local resistance, particularly after the death of Renée Good. Residents have formed communities to track and document ICE activities, sharing information and warning neighbors. Aggressive tactics by ICE agents, including the use of tear gas and violent arrests, have been widely criticized. The community’s response has been widespread, with many residents becoming involved in protests and aid for the first time.
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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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Videos obtained following a shooting by an ICE agent in Minneapolis appear to contradict the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) account of events. DHS claims the agent shot Julio Sosa-Celis in self-defense after he was ambushed, but video evidence suggests a different scenario. The videos, including a family member’s frantic account and a livestream, indicate that the person chased may have been another man and that Sosa-Celis was shot while attempting to secure the home. These conflicting accounts, along with other eyewitness statements, raise questions about the details surrounding the incident.
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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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The press has recently softened its criticism of Trump, even when faced with potentially inflammatory actions. Following Trump’s controversial response to a protest, media outlets largely avoided strong condemnation, contrasting with past reactions to similar offenses. This dynamic continued when Steve Bannon initiated a news cycle centered around a potential third term for Trump. Instead of challenging Trump, the media focused on his non-denials, ultimately giving him a platform to subtly promote the idea, while avoiding a direct confrontation.
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White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller made a controversial claim that local and state police in Minneapolis have been ordered to “stand down and surrender” to federal agents. This statement, which contradicts the established legal limitations of federal authority over local law enforcement, seemed to be setting the stage for President Trump to invoke the Insurrection Act. The context behind the claim was heightened tensions and protests following the shooting death of a U.S. citizen by ICE agents in Minneapolis and the state’s governor’s encouragement of citizens to document ICE agent abuses. Miller also accused Minnesota state officials of “an insurgency against the federal government,” further escalating the rhetoric.
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Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey publicly rejected a Homeland Security proposal to establish a designated protest zone, emphasizing that First Amendment rights are not confined to specific areas. This disagreement arose amid escalating tensions over federal immigration enforcement operations, with the Justice Department investigating Frey and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz for potentially impeding federal agents. The deployment of nearly 3,000 ICE and Border Patrol agents and President Trump’s threat to invoke the Insurrection Act further complicated the situation. Despite the ongoing protests and clashes, local authorities continue to call for peaceful demonstrations and are urging ICE to withdraw from the city.
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When immigration enforcement agents arrived at a Minneapolis high school on January 7th, student Lila Dominguez, witnessed the events unfold and immediately began writing about it. The presence of ICE agents and the surrounding chaos prompted the school district to cancel classes and offer remote learning options, impacting student attendance. In response to the growing fear and anxiety, schools are implementing protocols and offering support, but the overall effect is that the situation has disrupted the learning environment in the city. Many students, like Dominguez, are left feeling scared, sad, and angered by the situation.
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John Q. Hosedrinker
Minneapolis Siege: On-the-Ground Reality is Worse Than Videos Suggest
“Operation Metro Surge,” an immigration enforcement action in Minneapolis and St. Paul, has sparked strong local resistance, particularly after the death of Renée Good. Residents have formed communities to track and document ICE activities, sharing information and warning neighbors. Aggressive tactics by ICE agents, including the use of tear gas and violent arrests, have been widely criticized. The community’s response has been widespread, with many residents becoming involved in protests and aid for the first time.
Read More