Mom Influencers Take onICE: A New Era of Community Activism in the Digital Age
On a typical Tuesday morning, one might expect to scroll through social media and see a seemingly endless stream of advice on motherhood, parenting hacks, and lifestyle tips. But for many mom influencers in Minnesota, that's no longer the case.
Since the arrival of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) forces in their community, these influencers have shifted their focus from promoting products to raising awareness about the devastating impact of federal immigration policies on local families.
For Adriana Goblirsch, a mother of two who initially gained fame on Instagram for her parenting struggles, the turning point came when she witnessed firsthand the brutal suppression of dissent by ICE agents. She quit her day job as a teacher and began posting about the atrocities happening in her community, including the deaths of fellow activists Renee Good and Alex Pretti.
"I started posting more about what was happening because it felt irresponsible not to," Goblirsch said in an interview. "Keeping things light or sticking to lifestyle content didn't match the reality my kids are inheriting."
The U.S. federal government's Operation Metro Surge has brought thousands of armed agents into the Twin Cities, resulting in at least 3,000 arrests and a chilling effect on community members.
"It started as a normal Tuesday morning until I saw families being detained," said Yelena Kibasova, a hockey coach and mom who initially posted humorous content about parenting. "If we separate this issue from politics, what you're left with is just a suffering community."
As the situation spirals out of control, these influencers have become vocal advocates for their communities, often using social media to organize support groups and raise funds for families affected by ICE enforcement.
"We as communities have stepped up," said Raena Boston, founder of Working Momtras. "We're part of mailing lists, we're part of big, organized groups... We're not just talking about our own lives; we're fighting for the lives of those who are being targeted."
Boston's observation that "the influencer space has become increasingly disconnected from what's happening in everyday life" rings true. The rise of mom influencers like Goblirsch and Kibasova serves as a powerful reminder that even in the most unexpected corners of social media, activism can take many forms.
As Boston noted, "Fitness is political, the way we parent is political... everything has been politicized." For these influencers, speaking out against ICE's actions is not just a moral imperative but also a necessary response to the growing disconnect between online personas and real-world experiences.
On a typical Tuesday morning, one might expect to scroll through social media and see a seemingly endless stream of advice on motherhood, parenting hacks, and lifestyle tips. But for many mom influencers in Minnesota, that's no longer the case.
Since the arrival of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) forces in their community, these influencers have shifted their focus from promoting products to raising awareness about the devastating impact of federal immigration policies on local families.
For Adriana Goblirsch, a mother of two who initially gained fame on Instagram for her parenting struggles, the turning point came when she witnessed firsthand the brutal suppression of dissent by ICE agents. She quit her day job as a teacher and began posting about the atrocities happening in her community, including the deaths of fellow activists Renee Good and Alex Pretti.
"I started posting more about what was happening because it felt irresponsible not to," Goblirsch said in an interview. "Keeping things light or sticking to lifestyle content didn't match the reality my kids are inheriting."
The U.S. federal government's Operation Metro Surge has brought thousands of armed agents into the Twin Cities, resulting in at least 3,000 arrests and a chilling effect on community members.
"It started as a normal Tuesday morning until I saw families being detained," said Yelena Kibasova, a hockey coach and mom who initially posted humorous content about parenting. "If we separate this issue from politics, what you're left with is just a suffering community."
As the situation spirals out of control, these influencers have become vocal advocates for their communities, often using social media to organize support groups and raise funds for families affected by ICE enforcement.
"We as communities have stepped up," said Raena Boston, founder of Working Momtras. "We're part of mailing lists, we're part of big, organized groups... We're not just talking about our own lives; we're fighting for the lives of those who are being targeted."
Boston's observation that "the influencer space has become increasingly disconnected from what's happening in everyday life" rings true. The rise of mom influencers like Goblirsch and Kibasova serves as a powerful reminder that even in the most unexpected corners of social media, activism can take many forms.
As Boston noted, "Fitness is political, the way we parent is political... everything has been politicized." For these influencers, speaking out against ICE's actions is not just a moral imperative but also a necessary response to the growing disconnect between online personas and real-world experiences.