What’s happening in Minnesota is alarming to all of us who value liberty, justice, and democracy. The federal government is engaged in a targeted attack on communities in the Twin Cities area. The people of Minnesota are fighting back through sustained nonviolent protest, mutual aid, and creative resistance. Organizers on the ground in Minnesota have called for a national “Day of Truth and Freedom” as they face an expanding occupation and escalating ICE violence. That’s why we’re participating in the Ice out For Good March and Rally here in NYC, on Friday 1/23 at 4pm. Can you join us?
Two weeks ago, the horrific murder of a local Minneapolis resident and mother, Renee Nicole Good, by an ICE agent garnered national and international outrage. But the injustices haven’t stopped there – today, Claire Finkelstein, a law professor from the University of Pennsylvania, published a powerful op-ed in The Guardian, summarizing the situation in Minnesota:
“Since January 6, roughly 2,000 ICE agents have been deployed to Minnesota under the pretext ofresponding to a fraud investigation. In practice, these largely untrained and undisciplined federal agents have beenterrorizing Minneapolis residents through illegal and excessive uses of force – often against US citizens – prompting a federal judge to attempt to place limits on the agency’s actions. The Trump administration is encouraging the lawlessness by announcing “absolute immunity” for ICE agents…
In just the past week, ICE agents shot and killed Renee Good, a 37-year-old mother of three, shortly after she returned from dropping her child off at school. They blinded two protesters by shooting them in the face with so-called “less deadly” weapons. They firedteargas bombs around the car of a family carrying six children, sending one child to the emergency room with breathing problems. They violently dragged a woman out of her car and onto the ground screaming. They have shot protesters in the legs. They have forcibly taken thousands of individuals todetention facilities, separating families and casting people into legal limbo – often without regard to their legal status.”
People on the ground in Minnesota are leading a spirited, powerful nonviolent resistance to the violent attacks by federal agents. And it’s not just activists and organizers – it’s a growing number of everyday people, many of whom have never previously been involved in any type of protests or acts of solidarity. And now, a powerful coalition of faith, labor, and community groups are gearing up for an economic blackout across Minnesota on Friday January 23rd: a one-day call for no work, no school, no shopping. The Ice Out of Minnesota coalition writes:
“Minnesotans are coming together in moral reflection and action to stand together against the actions of the federal government against the state of Minnesota. The ICE “surge” that cost the life of Renee Nicole Good is violating the Constitutional and human rights of Americans and our neighbors. It is time to suspend the normal order of business to demand immediate cessation of ICE actions in MN, accountability for federal agents who have caused loss of life and abuse to Minnesota residents and call for Congress to immediately intervene. Friday, January 23rd will be a statewide day of non-violent moral action, reflection: no work, no school, no shopping — only community, conscience, and collective action.”
They are calling their action a Day of Truth and Freedom, because, “A free and democratic people depend upon our leaders being rooted in the truth. Repression depends on lies. Freedom depends on a shared Truth.” They have listed four demands for the day of action, which includes ICE out of Minnesota (see all four demands on their website).
On Friday January 23rd, people around the country will gather for rallies and marches in solidarity with Minneapolis-St. Paul and their call for a national “Day of Truth and Freedom” as they face an expanding occupation and escalating ICE violence.
In NYC on Friday, we’re joining dozens of community, faith, and labor groups to stand in solidarity with the people of Minnesota and demand: ICE Out for Good. RSVP here.
- What: ICE Out for Good: NYC Stands with Minneapolis
- When: Friday, January 23rd at 4:00pm
- Where: Union Square, NYC (4:30 step‑off)
Friday’s solidarity march and rally in NYC will highlight how, across New York and the country, billionaires are fueling ICE’s surveillance machine – profiting from tools that tear families apart and expand state violence. Corporations like Palantir are profiting off of supporting ICE, while our neighbors and our communities pay the price. We join communities across the country in saying: enough!
Students in NYC are also taking action on Friday – they’re organizing a city-wide student walkout!.
We hope to see you in the streets on Friday. If you want to join our contingent, please RSVP here.
Below, we’ve included a few additional resources about what’s unfolding in Minnesota – including links to support local groups.
In community & solidarity,
gabriel, Melanie, Yonah, Ricky, Lakenya, and the entire Katal team
Additional Resources – Minnesota and National Day of Truth and Freedom
ICE Out for Good Toolkit (national toolkit from organizers in Minnesota)
A Call to Action from Minnesota Organizers
Stand with Minnesota – “Minnesota is under occupation by federal agents from ICE and CBP, and we need your support” – includes links to groups to support
An Emergency Dispatch from Occupied Minneapolis: “Intense, Frightening, Surreal and Inspiring.”— short podcast episode from How to Survive the End of the World
What is it going to take to get to mass strikes? About mass strikes – how the January 23rd is part of an even bigger effort, by Daniel Hunter
Katal Center for Equity, Health,