Minnesota shows up when Homeland Security comes knocking on our door

Friday afternoon (Oct 24), Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem arrived for an ICE briefing at the Federal Whipple Building. According to MPR,

“Secretary Noem discussed stepped-up ICE enforcement efforts in Minnesota, part of the administration's broader push to tighten immigration policies nationwide.

Noem outlined plans to prioritize arrests of people with criminal records and those with pending deportation orders but offered few details on how enforcement will increase or what resources might be added in the state.

She also did not confirm whether the President Trump plans to deploy the National Guard to assist.”

With less than 24 hours’ notice, protestors rallied for a press conference at noon and a vigil at 4pm. Noem never addressed the crowd. At the noon conference, scheduled speakers representing the People’s Action Coalition Against Trump (PACAT) addressed the media and supportive attendees.

At 4pm, the parking lot was flooded with protestors singing, shouting, dressed as frogs, and carrying creative signs. The event was anchored by collective of clergy reading from scriptures, telling stories of our immigrant neighbors, and  holding space for the work that lies ahead.