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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A federal magistrate judge declined to approve charges against former CNN anchor Don Lemon following his involvement in a weekend protest at a Minnesota church. This decision reportedly “enraged” Attorney General Pam Bondi, and comes after calls for Lemon’s arrest from Donald Trump and allies. Lemon’s attorney maintains his actions were protected under the First Amendment, calling his work as a reporter a constitutional right. Legal experts suggest the magistrate’s rejection indicates skepticism about the government’s case, potentially impacting any future attempts to charge Lemon.
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The Eighth US Circuit Court of Appeals has temporarily overturned a Minnesota federal judge’s restrictions on ICE agents. These restrictions, initially imposed by Judge Katherine Menendez, had blocked ICE from actions such as pepper-spraying and arresting peaceful protesters. The preliminary injunction was put in place after Menendez found that ICE tactics had a “chilling effect” on protesters’ First Amendment rights. The Justice Department requested the stay of the injunction, arguing against the limitations on federal agents’ actions. This development occurs as Vice President JD Vance is scheduled to visit Minneapolis to discuss law and order.
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The Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals overturned a district court ruling that limited federal agents’ interactions with protesters and observers of immigration enforcement. The appellate court granted the federal government’s request for a stay, citing the lower court’s order as overly broad and impractical for daily operations. This reversal followed a lawsuit by the ACLU of Minnesota, alleging federal agents violated protesters’ rights during immigration operations. U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi praised the appellate court’s decision, arguing the original ruling undermined federal law enforcement.
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As part of a coordinated effort, nationwide organizers are leading a “Free America Walkout” on January 20th across all 50 states, Puerto Rico, and various international locations, including Canada, France, Italy, and the Netherlands, in response to the Trump administration. The walkout, differing from previous anti-Trump protests, encourages activists to organize literal walkouts from schools, city halls, and federal buildings, as well as holding vigils and sit-ins. Organizers, like Women’s March, are aiming to protest and voice their belief in a free America, which they believe is the only America worth calling great, as a response to various actions by the Trump administration. The White House has expressed a differing viewpoint, as well as the intent of those participating in the walkout.
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Ahead of President Donald Trump’s visit to Switzerland for the World Economic Forum, protesters in Zurich voiced their opposition with demonstrations. Protesters carried signs such as “Trump not welcome” and burned a U.S. flag. The demonstrations, which targeted American businesses, escalated, leading to the use of water cannons, tear gas, and rubber bullets by police and resulting in injuries. The protests were fueled by Trump’s controversial international policies, including his musings about Greenland and conflicts with leaders like French President Emmanuel Macron.
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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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On Martin Luther King Jr. Day, hundreds of people marched in Center City Philadelphia to protest ICE raids across the country, starting at the Philadelphia Immigration Court and ending at the ICE Philadelphia Field Office. The rally was organized by State Senator Art Haywood and various interfaith groups and community leaders. These protests followed nationwide demonstrations sparked by the shooting death of Renee Nicole Good by an ICE agent in Minneapolis. Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner vowed to hold ICE accountable for any legal violations, stating his office would prosecute any federal agent operating unlawfully, emphasizing that they could be arrested, tried, and imprisoned.
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The U.S. Department of Justice is investigating protesters in Minnesota who disrupted services at a church where a local ICE official serves as a pastor. The protesters, organized by Black Lives Matter Minnesota, interrupted the service to protest the ICE official and the agency’s actions, including the recent fatal shooting of a woman by an ICE agent. The DOJ is investigating potential federal civil rights violations, while protest organizers criticize the investigation, viewing it as a distraction from federal agents’ actions. The ICE official defended the agency’s tactics in a court filing, stating crowd control devices were needed to protect agents from increased threats.
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Protests erupted in Denmark and Greenland in response to President Trump’s demand to seize the Arctic island, with demonstrators wearing parody “Make America Go Away” hats. The protests, which included thousands of people, occurred after Trump announced tariffs on several European countries that opposed his plans. Greenlandic and Danish citizens alike expressed their opposition to Trump’s actions, and some fear potential repercussions from the U.S. government. These events came after the announcement of plans to impose import taxes on eight European countries that oppose Trump’s plan.
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John Q. Hosedrinker
US Court Allows ICE to Pepper-Spray, Arrest Minnesota Protesters
The Eighth US Circuit Court of Appeals has temporarily overturned a Minnesota federal judge’s restrictions on ICE agents. These restrictions, initially imposed by Judge Katherine Menendez, had blocked ICE from actions such as pepper-spraying and arresting peaceful protesters. The preliminary injunction was put in place after Menendez found that ICE tactics had a “chilling effect” on protesters’ First Amendment rights. The Justice Department requested the stay of the injunction, arguing against the limitations on federal agents’ actions. This development occurs as Vice President JD Vance is scheduled to visit Minneapolis to discuss law and order.
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