Minnesotans proved that mass action can be a powerful tool against authoritarianism. On January 23, tens of thousands of people took to the streets for a general strike, shutting down hundreds of businesses and showing solidarity with immigrant communities. The event was part of a broader movement to resist the Trump administration's attacks on immigration enforcement.
The strike highlighted the potential for collective action in the face of authoritarianism. It demonstrated that ordinary citizens can mobilize and take bold action against policies that harm marginalized communities. The event also showed that labor unions, faith leaders, and community organizations can work together to build a powerful movement.
However, the day after the strike, federal agents killed Alex Jeffrey Pretti, a 37-year-old nurse who was on the scene as a civilian observer. The killing is a stark reminder of the violence and brutality of Trump's deportation machine in Minnesota.
Despite this tragic event, the general strike remains an important moment for resistance against authoritarianism. It shows that ordinary people can come together to challenge unjust policies and create a more just society. The strike also highlights the importance of building solidarity with immigrant communities and supporting their rights.
As we move forward, it is essential to continue to build on this momentum. We need to repeat and expand the practices modeled by the networks in Minnesota, including community defense against ICE, militant disruption, and working-class refusal. This requires a sustained effort to organize, mobilize, and build collective power.
The general strike of January 23 was a crucial moment in the fight against Trump's authoritarianism. It showed that mass action can be a powerful tool for change, but it also highlights the need for continued resistance and activism. As we move forward, we must remain vigilant and committed to building a more just and equitable society for all.
The Intersect report suggests that building solidarity with immigrant communities is crucial in this effort. Community defense against ICE did not begin with Minneapolis, but the city has been at the forefront of Trump's most lawless and thoroughgoing fascist operation. Residents in other cities have also blockaded ICE facilities, hidden their immigrant neighbors, filled immigration courts, filed lawsuits, and confronted federal agents.
The report emphasizes that there are times when events come together, and momentum builds. The day after the strike brought more horror, but it also showed that hope is not what we need now – not hope as a sentiment, at least. We prove our orientation towards a better world by continuing to act against this murderous state force and for each other.
The report concludes that general strikes in 2026 will not look the same as they did in the early 20th century. In an age of technocapital and decimated labor power, conditions are different. However, the report emphasizes that nothing runs without the working class in this country.
To stop Trump's forces, we need to build on and repeat the strike action modeled by networks in Minnesota. This requires combining neighborhood patrols with confrontational shutdowns and creating barriers for federal agents wherever they try to go – including the damn bathroom. The general strike is not just a one-day event but a way of life.
As Sarah Jaffe noted, "The Twin Cities have had plenty of opportunities to build up these networks of resistance, networks that have only grown larger in the wake of Good's killing." These networks are crucial in building collective power and creating a more just society.
In conclusion, the general strike of January 23 was a pivotal moment in the fight against Trump's authoritarianism. It showed that mass action can be a powerful tool for change but also highlights the need for continued resistance and activism. By building solidarity with immigrant communities, repeating and expanding the practices modeled by networks in Minnesota, and combining neighborhood patrols with confrontational shutdowns, we can create a more just society for all.
The strike highlighted the potential for collective action in the face of authoritarianism. It demonstrated that ordinary citizens can mobilize and take bold action against policies that harm marginalized communities. The event also showed that labor unions, faith leaders, and community organizations can work together to build a powerful movement.
However, the day after the strike, federal agents killed Alex Jeffrey Pretti, a 37-year-old nurse who was on the scene as a civilian observer. The killing is a stark reminder of the violence and brutality of Trump's deportation machine in Minnesota.
Despite this tragic event, the general strike remains an important moment for resistance against authoritarianism. It shows that ordinary people can come together to challenge unjust policies and create a more just society. The strike also highlights the importance of building solidarity with immigrant communities and supporting their rights.
As we move forward, it is essential to continue to build on this momentum. We need to repeat and expand the practices modeled by the networks in Minnesota, including community defense against ICE, militant disruption, and working-class refusal. This requires a sustained effort to organize, mobilize, and build collective power.
The general strike of January 23 was a crucial moment in the fight against Trump's authoritarianism. It showed that mass action can be a powerful tool for change, but it also highlights the need for continued resistance and activism. As we move forward, we must remain vigilant and committed to building a more just and equitable society for all.
The Intersect report suggests that building solidarity with immigrant communities is crucial in this effort. Community defense against ICE did not begin with Minneapolis, but the city has been at the forefront of Trump's most lawless and thoroughgoing fascist operation. Residents in other cities have also blockaded ICE facilities, hidden their immigrant neighbors, filled immigration courts, filed lawsuits, and confronted federal agents.
The report emphasizes that there are times when events come together, and momentum builds. The day after the strike brought more horror, but it also showed that hope is not what we need now – not hope as a sentiment, at least. We prove our orientation towards a better world by continuing to act against this murderous state force and for each other.
The report concludes that general strikes in 2026 will not look the same as they did in the early 20th century. In an age of technocapital and decimated labor power, conditions are different. However, the report emphasizes that nothing runs without the working class in this country.
To stop Trump's forces, we need to build on and repeat the strike action modeled by networks in Minnesota. This requires combining neighborhood patrols with confrontational shutdowns and creating barriers for federal agents wherever they try to go – including the damn bathroom. The general strike is not just a one-day event but a way of life.
As Sarah Jaffe noted, "The Twin Cities have had plenty of opportunities to build up these networks of resistance, networks that have only grown larger in the wake of Good's killing." These networks are crucial in building collective power and creating a more just society.
In conclusion, the general strike of January 23 was a pivotal moment in the fight against Trump's authoritarianism. It showed that mass action can be a powerful tool for change but also highlights the need for continued resistance and activism. By building solidarity with immigrant communities, repeating and expanding the practices modeled by networks in Minnesota, and combining neighborhood patrols with confrontational shutdowns, we can create a more just society for all.
IT'S AMAZING TO SEE TENS OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE COME TOGETHER FOR A COMMON CAUSE AND SHUT DOWN HUNDREDS OF BUSINESSES 
IT'S A REMINDER THAT WE'RE STILL FACING VIOLENCE AND BRUTALITY FROM TRUMP'S DEPORTATION MACHINE IN MINNESOTA 
but like, this shows us that resistance against authoritarianism can be powerful 
so let's keep building on this momentum & creating a more just society for all! 
. but also kinda worrying when u think about the violence & brutality that came after alex pretti's killing 
. The way labor unions, faith leaders, and community organizations came together to build a powerful movement is a testament to the power of solidarity and grassroots organizing 
.
. We need to continue organizing, mobilizing, and building collective power to create a more just society for all 
. The Intersect report highlights the importance of community defense against ICE and working-class refusal – these are practices that can make a real difference in our communities 
. We need to act against this murderous state force and for each other if we want to create a better world 
. The general strike was a huge deal, showing that collective action can be super powerful 
.
. That's what happens when you're up against an authoritarian regime that doesn't care about human life.
. And I'm not surprised that Minnesota was at the forefront of this movement - we've always been a pretty progressive state 
.
.
.
. We got this, Minnesotans! 
️
. like what's going on here? federal agents killing some random dude who was just trying to do the right thing... it's just too much 
. it's all about creating a more just society for everyone, regardless of where they're from or what their story is 
and the fact that they killed one guy on the scene as a civilian observer is totally unacceptable 
! thousands of people coming together to fight against trump's deportation machine is seriously inspiring 
. but like, the fact that he was killed by federal agents just highlights how much work we still have to do 
[GIF of people building a barricade together, with the caption: "Building solidarity, one barricade at a time"]
[Image of Spiderman holding up a sign that says "No to Deportation"]
. They're like a model for the rest of us to follow 
. The report makes some great points about the changing nature of work and labor power 
.
. Keep building those networks, folks! We need more of this 
Let's build on this momentum and create a more just society for all