‘Invasion’

Protests of all kinds continue throughout area neighborhoods as opposition grows to an ongoing immigration enforcement surge. Daily singing sessions, street corner demonstrations, marches, candlelight vigils, holding space outside of mosques and a recent sit-in at Midway Target are ways area residents have opposed Operation Metro Surge.

Singing is neighborhood resident Kristen Elliot’s way of bringing people together. She gathers singers at different Hamline-Midway locations.

“Getting together to sing has been so important for many reasons. Singing is a release of emotions,” she said. “It is generating hope. It is sharing joy. It increases a feeling of power while decreasing a feeling of helplessness, because it takes courage and vulnerability to sing in front of others... it’s not easy for people to do. But most importantly, it strengthens community by allowing us to share all of these things over and over again with people we live by that we would otherwise have never met.”

Others are gathering at Zion Community Commons, Bethlehem Lutheran Church in the Midway, and other places to pack food and supply baskets for people sheltering in place. Others are raising money to help those unable to work cover their rent and bills.

Saint Paul, Minneapolis and the State of Minnesota are suing President Donald Trump’s administration to stop a widespread immigration enforcement surge. The lawsuit was announced Jan. 12 by Attorney General Keith Ellison and mayors Kaohly Her and Jacob Frey. The state of Illinois and City of Chicago filed a similar lawsuit the same day.

“This is in essence a federal invasion of the Twin Cities and Minnesota and it must stop,” Ellison said. The lawsuit alleges violations of free speech and Constitutional rights by focusing on Minnesota with Operation Metro Surge. It is described as the largest immigration enforcement operation ever conducted in this country.

One point in the lawsuit is violation of the Constitution’s 10th Amendment. Ellison said that it gives the state and cities inviolable sovereign authority to protect the health and well-being of everyone here.

“These poorly trained, aggressive and armed agents of the federal state have terrorized Minnesota with widespread unlawful conduct,” Ellison said. He and the mayors took aim at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and ICE.

Her is part of a refugee family and recounted their own success story. “To our immigrant and refugee neighbors: you are a vital part of our city – loved, wanted, and essential to Minnesota’s story,” she said.

After the lawsuit was announced, the White House issued a statement, saying, “If Minnesota Democrats cared as much about protecting Americans from criminal aliens and Somali fraudsters as they did about defending criminal illegal aliens, Minnesotans would be much better off. This pathetic stunt only proves that Democrats will put illegal criminals over hardworking Americans every time.”

Trump for his part, tweeted on Jan. 13 that Minnesota Democrats are to blame for opposing his immigration policies and causing unrest. He praised ICE agents for their work and added, “FEAR NOT, GREAT PEOPLE OF MINNESOTA, THE DAY OF RECKONING & RETRIBUTION IS COMING!”

Trump’s messages in recent days have veered from conciliatory to threatening, with changes in leadership for the surge. Tensions have flared since Minneapolis resident Renee Nicole Good was shot and killed by an ICE agent Jan. 7 in that city. Then Alex Pretti, a VA nurse, met the same fate Jan. 24.

Thousands of people have turned out for protests throughout the state since then, including clashes in Minneapolis and at the federal Whipple Building at Fort Snelling.

Dozens of protests, prayer vigils and school walkouts are ongoing throughout the area. Area residents are posting on social media when and where they see ICE agents. Some are gathering to witness and object, blowing whistles as an alert.

Regular protests at University and Snelling avenues by Episcopal Homes are now focused on ICE and support for immigrants. More than two dozen people turned out in bitter cold Jan. 10. Janet Humphrey, one of the organizers, recalled her father and uncle who fought in World War II. Their cousin was killed in action.
Srt. P“I will never be able to duplicate the sacrifice they made for our freedoms,” she said. Humphrey criticized those who support the immigration surge, in light of the sacrifices her family and others made in the name of freedom.

People are helping immigrant neighbors in other ways, driving neighbors to work, and delivering food and other supplies to those who are afraid to venture out. Groups of volunteers are helping at area schools during arrival and dismissal times to help students get to and from buses safely. Schools, including Saint Paul Public Schools, are offering students the chance for online learning.

Another focus has been to support immigrant-owned businesses. Many of those businesses are struggling, with some closing temporarily. One of those is the Eggroll Queen, which only in February began sending out more of its food trucks. Owner Mai Vang closed most of the food trucks due to ICE. In a social media post she asked for help, noting that she and her family members are U.S. citizens, and most of her employees are native Midwesterners.

“This is our home. And yet, we are afraid,” she said in a social media post. “Citizenship is supposed to mean safety. Right now, it doesn’t... Fear turns into terror when people are taken first and questioned later.”