Minnesota residents, who had grown accustomed to a culture of civic engagement and community activism, have come together in unprecedented numbers to resist the federal government's mass deportation tactics.
For Cory, a south Minneapolis resident, documenting ICE agents became a necessity after two observers were killed while filming them. The danger was palpable, yet he felt compelled to continue his work, even when faced with pepper spray and the realization that agents knew where he lived.
Cory's actions are part of a broader movement that has engulfed the state. Tens of thousands of Minnesotans have joined forces to defend their neighbors from ICE. They patrol in their cars, document agents, provide rides to those who feel unsafe driving, stand outside schools at drop-offs and dismissals to protect children and parents, deliver groceries and supplies to families staying indoors due to fear of detention, and crowdfund legal aid or rent.
The resistance is rooted in a longstanding culture of civic engagement, workers' unions, and community-led groups advocating for the rights of Latino and Somali residents. Neighborhoods that banded together after George Floyd's death have reignited their networks, drawing on this experience to coordinate their efforts against ICE.
Local organizations, including the Minnesota AFL-CIO union and the multi-faith coalition Isaiah, have pulled off an economic blackout and large rally in subzero temperatures, attracting supporters from across the country. The rally was a call to action, with participants boycotting work, not shopping, and closing their businesses until the federal surge is over.
Community organizers, such as Kirstie Kimball, a food writer and fundraiser, have been at the forefront of this effort. Kimball has organized mutual aid networks, which have gone into overdrive to feed the community, with restaurants and small businesses becoming makeshift storage sites for donations.
Haven Watch, a group founded by Natalie Ehret, provides support to individuals released from detention. The group's work has helped dozens of people in its first two weeks, and Ehret estimates that she's heard stories that have changed her nearly every day.
The surge of agents across the region has not been limited to urban areas. Residents in rural communities, such as Nicole Helget in Nicollet county, have also taken action against ICE. Helget, who lives in a community with a high concentration of Somali and Latino residents, spoke directly to agents parked outside her area, asking them about their warrant and how she could help.
The bravery of those in communities of color has been cited as key to the movement's success. "They're doing organizing," said Helget. "They're doing the leadership. They're the ones working the hardest jobs."
For Cory, the fight against ICE is not just about resisting deportation tactics but also about ensuring that his Latino and Somali neighbors feel safe. He hopes that the engagement and attention will continue, and people locally and nationally will remain committed to their cause until their neighbors are free to live their lives again.
As one observer noted, "I don't think we can take our foot off the gas until we know our neighbors are safe." The future of this movement remains uncertain, but its impact on Minnesota's communities is already being felt.
For Cory, a south Minneapolis resident, documenting ICE agents became a necessity after two observers were killed while filming them. The danger was palpable, yet he felt compelled to continue his work, even when faced with pepper spray and the realization that agents knew where he lived.
Cory's actions are part of a broader movement that has engulfed the state. Tens of thousands of Minnesotans have joined forces to defend their neighbors from ICE. They patrol in their cars, document agents, provide rides to those who feel unsafe driving, stand outside schools at drop-offs and dismissals to protect children and parents, deliver groceries and supplies to families staying indoors due to fear of detention, and crowdfund legal aid or rent.
The resistance is rooted in a longstanding culture of civic engagement, workers' unions, and community-led groups advocating for the rights of Latino and Somali residents. Neighborhoods that banded together after George Floyd's death have reignited their networks, drawing on this experience to coordinate their efforts against ICE.
Local organizations, including the Minnesota AFL-CIO union and the multi-faith coalition Isaiah, have pulled off an economic blackout and large rally in subzero temperatures, attracting supporters from across the country. The rally was a call to action, with participants boycotting work, not shopping, and closing their businesses until the federal surge is over.
Community organizers, such as Kirstie Kimball, a food writer and fundraiser, have been at the forefront of this effort. Kimball has organized mutual aid networks, which have gone into overdrive to feed the community, with restaurants and small businesses becoming makeshift storage sites for donations.
Haven Watch, a group founded by Natalie Ehret, provides support to individuals released from detention. The group's work has helped dozens of people in its first two weeks, and Ehret estimates that she's heard stories that have changed her nearly every day.
The surge of agents across the region has not been limited to urban areas. Residents in rural communities, such as Nicole Helget in Nicollet county, have also taken action against ICE. Helget, who lives in a community with a high concentration of Somali and Latino residents, spoke directly to agents parked outside her area, asking them about their warrant and how she could help.
The bravery of those in communities of color has been cited as key to the movement's success. "They're doing organizing," said Helget. "They're doing the leadership. They're the ones working the hardest jobs."
For Cory, the fight against ICE is not just about resisting deportation tactics but also about ensuring that his Latino and Somali neighbors feel safe. He hopes that the engagement and attention will continue, and people locally and nationally will remain committed to their cause until their neighbors are free to live their lives again.
As one observer noted, "I don't think we can take our foot off the gas until we know our neighbors are safe." The future of this movement remains uncertain, but its impact on Minnesota's communities is already being felt.
Did u see that? 10k+ ppl showed up for a rally in subzero temps and took a stand against ICE! 
And it's not just Minneapolitanites doing it either! 
Rural areas are getting in on the action too! 
Community organizers like Kirstie Kimball & Natalie Ehret r leading the charge and it's giving me LIFE! 
The bravery of those in communities of color is truly inspiring... like, Nicole Helget from Nicollet county talking to ICE agents straight up and asking them about their warrant 
And since George Floyd's death, there's been a surge in community-led groups advocating for these rights 
Here's a graph showing the growth of non-profit organizations focused on immigration & social justice 
. I mean, who needs that kinda stress in their life? Cory's got some serious guts for keeping that camera rolling even when faced with pepper spray and whatnot. And I'm loving the community spirit - from feeding families to crowdfunding legal aid, these Minnesotans are showing up and getting it done 
. And can we talk about how proud I am of our leaders? Kirstie Kimball is the real MVP (most valuable partner?) over here 
. These organizers are the ones doing the heavy lifting, and it's amazing to see them get recognition. The message is clear: your neighbors matter, and so does your safety 
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I'm so proud of all these Minnesotans for standing up for what's right! It's amazing to see how a sense of community and civic engagement can come together to make such a big difference. The bravery of Cory and others who are risking their own safety to document ICE agents is truly inspiring 
. And I love that it's not just about resisting deportation tactics, but also about ensuring that everyone feels safe and included.
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minnesota residents are truly leading by example in showing that we care about our neighbors' safety and well-being 
i'm so proud of people like cory, kirstie, natalie, and nicole who are taking a stand against injustice 
the bravery of those in communities of color is truly admirable 
. It's clear that this movement is not going away anytime soon, and I think it's a model for other communities to follow 
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courage. And the fact that this movement has roots in community activism and workers' unions makes it even more powerful 
It just goes to show that the fight for justice is not limited to urban areas.
Let's keep the momentum going and make sure everyone feels safe! 
! These Minnesotans are showing that even when faced with danger & uncertainty, community can be super powerful 
. Fingers crossed it continues to build momentum and people stay committed to their cause until everyone is safe 
... all this community organizing and mutual aid networks sounds great, but what about the long-term effects? are we just delaying the inevitable or creating a culture of dependence on these grassroots efforts? and have we considered the potential consequences for those who aren't directly affected by ICE's actions? i'm not saying it's not important to resist deportation tactics, but let's make sure we're not just treating symptoms rather than addressing the root causes. 
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200 people in a small town in MN standing up against ICE is not just about stopping deportation tactics, it's a massive show of love & solidarity for ppl who feel most vulnerable 
Cory's story gives me chills 
the power of community is truly overwhelming, especially when ppl are putting their lives on the line to protect others 
. It's all about finding that balance between being loud and clear with our concerns, but also not freaking out the system. I mean, if we want to make a difference, let's focus on creating real solutions instead of just shouting slogans at rallies 
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. We need to engage in some real discussions about immigration reform and find common ground. The "us vs them" mentality isn't gonna cut it anymore 
this resistance in MN is straight fire 
i mean who wouldn't want to stand up for their neighbors and community? the fact that ppl are coming together like this shows us what's possible when we support each other 
ppl in rural communities like Nicole Helget are taking action too, which is so important for creating a culture of resistance that goes beyond the cities. let's keep supporting these efforts and amplifying the voices of our community leaders 
. I'm all about community activism at school, like with our school club fighting for environmental awareness 
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. Will we see more people coming together like this? Only time will tell 
. But one thing's for sure: it's giving me life 
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. They're not just fighting for themselves or their own families, they're fighting for their neighbors and their entire community.
. We need more organizations like Haven Watch and mutual aid networks, and we need them now