Thousands Flock to Protest ICE Amid Frigid Temperatures in Minnesota, Demanding Human Rights for Undocumented Immigrants
Amid freezing temperatures that plummeted to a bone-chilling -17 degrees Fahrenheit, Minneapolis residents braved the elements to march against the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency. The protest, which drew an estimated 10,000 participants, was the largest yet in the ongoing campaign dubbed "ICE Out."
Organizers handed out warm beverages, including hot tea, to rally-goers as they carried signs that called for the arrest of ICE officer Jonathan Ross, who fatally shot Renee Nicole Good on January 7. Ahmed, a 30-year-old protest organizer, stated that even amidst subzero temperatures, this was the largest and coldest day in Minnesota's history.
The protest began outside Minneapolis' airport terminal, where thousands formed a massive picket line that stretched as long as the terminal itself. The action served as a precursor for a statewide "ICE Out" day of protest earlier in the afternoon. Various groups, including clergy members, immigrant organizations, and labor unions, exhorted residents to participate by not shopping, attending school or work.
Video footage captured by NBC affiliate Kare 10 News showed demonstrators being zip-tied and loaded into yellow school buses after participating in airport protests, with authorities stating that law enforcement took action when protesters' permitted activities exceeded the agreed-upon terms. Organizers reported about 100 individuals detained during the event.
The protest came as part of a larger operation dubbed "Operation Metro Surge," which has seen over 3,000 federal immigration personnel deployed to Minneapolis since December. As many as 3,000 undocumented immigrants have been apprehended by officers in the past six weeks alone.
Criticism of Operation Metro Surge intensified with reports that local authorities had issued subpoenas to Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey in connection with an ongoing Justice Department investigation into alleged conspiracy involving government officials. The probe centers on a now-viral YouTube video accusing Somali immigrants of child care center fraud, which has sparked widespread allegations of racial profiling.
On Friday, activists like Abdi Hassan, 19, shared personal stories of encountering ICE agents during the past few weeks, stating that friends had been racially profiled and detained without reason. Youssef Abdullah addressed the crowd, criticizing federal authorities for their actions: "Look at this gathering here. I know you’re watching... Your division failed. Your cruelty has been exposed."
Amid freezing temperatures that plummeted to a bone-chilling -17 degrees Fahrenheit, Minneapolis residents braved the elements to march against the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency. The protest, which drew an estimated 10,000 participants, was the largest yet in the ongoing campaign dubbed "ICE Out."
Organizers handed out warm beverages, including hot tea, to rally-goers as they carried signs that called for the arrest of ICE officer Jonathan Ross, who fatally shot Renee Nicole Good on January 7. Ahmed, a 30-year-old protest organizer, stated that even amidst subzero temperatures, this was the largest and coldest day in Minnesota's history.
The protest began outside Minneapolis' airport terminal, where thousands formed a massive picket line that stretched as long as the terminal itself. The action served as a precursor for a statewide "ICE Out" day of protest earlier in the afternoon. Various groups, including clergy members, immigrant organizations, and labor unions, exhorted residents to participate by not shopping, attending school or work.
Video footage captured by NBC affiliate Kare 10 News showed demonstrators being zip-tied and loaded into yellow school buses after participating in airport protests, with authorities stating that law enforcement took action when protesters' permitted activities exceeded the agreed-upon terms. Organizers reported about 100 individuals detained during the event.
The protest came as part of a larger operation dubbed "Operation Metro Surge," which has seen over 3,000 federal immigration personnel deployed to Minneapolis since December. As many as 3,000 undocumented immigrants have been apprehended by officers in the past six weeks alone.
Criticism of Operation Metro Surge intensified with reports that local authorities had issued subpoenas to Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey in connection with an ongoing Justice Department investigation into alleged conspiracy involving government officials. The probe centers on a now-viral YouTube video accusing Somali immigrants of child care center fraud, which has sparked widespread allegations of racial profiling.
On Friday, activists like Abdi Hassan, 19, shared personal stories of encountering ICE agents during the past few weeks, stating that friends had been racially profiled and detained without reason. Youssef Abdullah addressed the crowd, criticizing federal authorities for their actions: "Look at this gathering here. I know you’re watching... Your division failed. Your cruelty has been exposed."
just 'cause they're undocumented. ICE needs to step up their game and show some compassion for once. And yikes, -17 degrees is COLD! I'm glad ppl are still out here fightin' for what's right, even if it means bravin' the elements. I mean, 10k people showin' up is a huge deal, we gotta keep the momentum goin' 
I just don't think it's a good idea for them to be protesting like this, especially when it comes to ICE. Those guys are just trying to do their jobs and enforce the law. I'm all for human rights and stuff, but can't they find another way to deal with people who aren't following the rules? 
The fact that 10k people showed up is mind-blowing! I'm not surprised though, the whole "ICE Out" thing is super timely given all the controversy around Operation Metro Surge. It's not right that folks are getting detained just for being undocumented and facing racial profiling too... 
That video about Somali immigrants is just messed up. I feel bad for the people who've been affected by it. And what's with the governor and mayor getting subpoenas? Like, shouldn't they be focusing on helping everyone rather than dealing with some conspiracy theory? 
Can we talk more about this?
it's just crazy how people come together like that in such harsh conditions... i think we can all agree that no one deserves to be treated unfairly or detained without a good reason? 
10,000 people marching in -17 degrees is insane! and it's awesome that organizers were thinking of the protesters' well-being by handing out hot tea... we should be supporting each other more than pitting people against each other over borders. 
like what is going on in minnesota rn? i'm trying to process all this and just think that 10k ppl showing up to protest ice is insane!!! and the fact that they're not even letting them shop or go to school because of it is wild 
what's going on with operation metro surge tho? 3000 federal immigration personnel deployed to minneapolis since dec? and the fact that local authorities are involved in a justice department investigation into conspiracy involving gov officials 
it's all just really overwhelming rn 
. I mean, the fact that law enforcement took action on protesters even when it was clearly within their permitted activities is super concerning 
.
. It's like, can't we all just get along and treat each other with respect and dignity? Even in the face of extreme temperatures, these protesters are still showing up to demand human rights for undocumented immigrants 
. I guess that's what it means to be a decent human being...